2015 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 509 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 19 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnDo not drive until repairedMay 11, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Campaign 16V292000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control (ESC)Apr 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Campaign 16V251000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftAug 10, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Campaign 15V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Forward collision avoidance, crash imminent brakingJun 12, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Campaign 15V366000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesSep 19, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.
The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.
Campaign 14V577000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
509 reports, newest first.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2015
NOTICED AN 18 INCH CRACK IN MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD STARTING AT THE TOP UNDER THE HEATING ELEMENT TWO MONTHS AGO. WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK AND NO IMPACT SPOT FOUND. HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED THREE WEEKS AGO. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AND NOTICED A 12 INCH CRACK APPEAR IN THE LOWER LEFT (AGAIN, STARTING WHERE THE HEATING ELEMENT IS AND AGAIN, NO ROCK SOUND OR IMPACT SPOT). MY SISTER HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH A CRACK IN THE *EXACT* SAME SPOT THAT DEVELOPED LAST WEEK OUT OF THE BLUE (I HAVE PHOTOS OF BOTH OF OUR CRACKS FOR COMPARISON). FROM DOING RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS (WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG HAS SEVERAL FORUM THREADS DETAILING SIMILAR REPORTS). *TR
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2015
IN NOVEMBER 2014, I TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3.6 LIMITED. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL PREMIUM ELECTRONICS PACKAGE, AND THE EYESIGHT COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE RANDOM MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE KEY-LESS IGNITION, AND THE KEY-LESS ENTRY SYSTEMS. THE IGNITION PROBLEMS ALL INVOLVED ENGINE START, AND OCCURRED IN SCENARIOS WHERE THE KEY-FOB WASN'T RECOGNIZED. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM STARTED TO DISPLAY ERRONEOUS LOCATIONAL DATA, AND THE ASSOCIATED 'STARLINK' TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM WOULD FREEZE-UP (BECOME INOPERABLE). AS OF TODAY, I HAVE POSTED SIX DIFFERENT VIDEOS TO YOUTUBE TO DRAMATICALLY ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=9MF_RUMICQM . I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED. I HAVE ALSO MET WITH SUBARUS, SEATTLE ZONE SERVICE MANAGER. IN EMAILS FROM SUBARU'S CORPORATE SERVICE OFFICIALS, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EXISTS, DESPITE THE VIDEOS. UNOFFICIALLY, THE ZONE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH HE BELIEVES IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM IN VEHICLES WITH THIS OPTION COMBINATION. HE DOES NOT KNOW OF ANY SOLUTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM CAN OVERRIDE DRIVER COMMANDS INVOLVING BRAKING, AND ENGINE THROTTLE. WILL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE GPS AND STARLINK TOUCH-SCREENS POTENTIALLY CREATE A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM THAT CREATES AN ACCIDENT RATHER THAN MITIGATING IT? *TR
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2015
AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE THE FOLLOWING MORNING BUT HAD NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE (POWER STEERING, AT OIL TEMPERATURE, AMONG OTHERS) WHILE IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WARMED UP FOR 5 MINUTES. ONCE WARMED UP, OWNER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART 20 MINUTES LATER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART BUT OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC) WORKED BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Dec 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 856. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2014
THIS CAR HAS A SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS THE STEREO, PHONE, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. IT HAS A VERY REFLECTIVE GLASSY FINISH. THE SCREEN IS NOT SURROUNDED BY A HOOD OF ANY SORT AND IT IS TITLED AT ABOUT A 50-DEGREE ANGLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SCREEN REFLECTS A LOT OF SUNLIGHT, BUT IT WAS MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE THAN ANYTHING. ON THIS OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON, GOING EAST ON A HIGHWAY. THE DASHBOARD SCREEN WAS REFLECTING THE SUN INTO MY EYES SO DIRECTLY THAT IT WAS PAINFUL. IT WAS ALSO DISTRACTING. THE LIGHT WAS SO BRIGHT AND SO CONSISTENT THAT I HAD TO DRIVE WHILE HOLDING MY RIGHT HAND IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN TO BLOCK THE LIGHT. I HAD TO DRIVE THAT WAY FOR PROBABLY HALF AN HOUR. I DID NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF "ACCIDENT." HOWEVER, I CAN FORESEE THAT UNDER THE WRONG CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR COULD BLIND OR DISTRACT A DRIVER FROM SEEING OTHER TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, ETC. AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE SOMEONE TO KEEP ONE HAND OFF THE WHEEL AND MAYBE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT WAY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Structure, Nov 25, 2014
BLINDING DASHBOARD GLARE AT CERTAIN AUTOMOBILE/SUN ANGLES. *TR
Engine, Nov 7, 2014
RED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. LOST ALL POWER/ DRIVE. NEEDED TO COAST TO BERM. WOULD RESTART, BUT DIE IMMEDIATELY. EVERYTHING WAS IMMOBILIZED. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE! OUR WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR- ENDED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AS THE KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM DISABLED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CONNECTOR IN THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Structure, Equipment, Sep 23, 2014
THERE IS A GLOSS FINISHED PLASTIC TOUCH PAD KIND OF COVER THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 6"X8". IT IS NOT ONLY THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BUT THE RADIO, FUEL INFORMATION, ETC. IT IS SLANTED AS PART OF THE FRONT DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, IT BOUNCES DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. THIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECESSED INTO THE DASH, OR AT A MINIMUM, A MATTE FINISH INSTEAD OF A GLASSY FINISH ON THE PLASTIC. IT IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, AS IT IS BLINDING. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH THE SUN AT AN ANGLE, THE REFLECTION OF LIGHT IN YOUR EYES IS AS BLINDING AS SOMEONE HOLDING A FLASHLIGHT STEADILY INTO YOUR EYES. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I TOOK OF THE SCREEN. IT MUST BE RECALLED SOON, WITH EITHER SOME TYPE OF REPLACEMENT COVER THAT IS A MATTE FINISH, OR AN ATTACHMENT THAT GOES AROUND THE SCREEN SO IT WOULD APPEAR RECESSED. I PAID THOUSANDS EXTRA FOR NAVIGATION, AND NOT ONLY IS IT BLINDING, BUT I CANNOT EVEN SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN ANYWAY. BEFORE I CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT INJURES MYSELF OR OTHERS, OR SOMEONE ELSE DOES, PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SHOW THE REFLECTION. *TR