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.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2021
2015 SUBARU OUTBACK -AND NOW ON MY 4TH BATTERY. ONE INSTANCE, I GOT STUCK IN A SMALL TOWN IN NH AND HAD TO GET A BATTERY THAT WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND BATTERY GUARANTEED FOR 5 YEARS. DIDN'T KNOW I HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC BACK HOME SO I ENDED UP PAYING FOR ANOTHER BATTERY. 8 MONTHS LATER BATTERY DIED AGAIN. SUBARU SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL CHECK IT OUT. IT IS NOT WARRANTED AND IT COULD TAKE 2 HRS TO 10 AND I WOULD PAY FOR LABOR. THEY NEED TO PAY AND FIX A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TO FRIENDS WHO OWN SUV,S, WAGONS AND SEDANS..
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2021
THE CAR IS ON A BATTERY MAINTAINER 24/7 WHEN NOT IN USE AND STILL NEEDS TO BE JUMP STARTED PERIODICALLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY ANNUALLY SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. EACH TIME CLAIMING A "BIGGER" BATTERY WAS INSTALLED AND THIS WILL SOLVE IT; AND EACH TIME IT NEVER DOES. CAR IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA MULTIPLE TIMES (AFTER THE FIRST TWO BATTERIES WERE REPLACED). THEY CLAIM THAT THE CAR WAS NEVER BUILT OR ADVERTISED TO BE USED ON IN-TOWN TRAVEL AND I MUST WASTE GAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVEL AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IN ADDITION TO ALWAYS KEEPING BATTERY ON MAINTAINER. SUBARU HAS INSISTED THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR OF A CAR. SUBARU SENT A FACTORY-FIELD TECHNICIAN OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND "FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE" AND SIMPLY ADVISED THAT AN EVEN LARGER BATTERY BE USED IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER ADDITIONAL STEPS (KEEPING ON CHARGER/MAINTAINER AND WEEKLY HIGHWAY DRIVING).
Engine, Mar 12, 2021
THE MUFFLER MAKES A RATTLING OR GROWLING NOISE WHEN IDLING OR COASTING. THE NOISE DISAPPEARS WHEN ACCELERATING.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2021
CAR DEVELOPED A 20" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ALL BY ITSELF. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE WIPER BLADE AND RUNS UP AND OVER TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. I DROVE THE CAR ONE DAY AND THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE. A WEEK LATER I DROVE IT AGAIN AND THE CRACK WAS THERE WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR TO START IT UP. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE IT IS DUE TO SOMETHING WITH THE DEICER MAKING THE WINDSHIELD VERY LIKELY TO CRACK IN THAT AREA. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK BY ITSELF AND I'VE OWNED OR TAKEN CARE OF A DOZEN CARS FOR MY FAMILY OVER 40 YEARS. SUBARU SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL, AS THERE ARE A TON OF REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2021
POOR BATTERY LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD CRACK SHOWED UP SUDDENLY VERY RECENTLY, RIGHT AFTER WE GOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOTIFICATION.THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2021
I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE ONE MORNING, AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR LATER THAT DAY, A CRACK DEVELOPED FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK BEGINS CLOSE TO THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, CURVES UP AND AROUND TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THE CRACK ESSENTIALLY DEVELOPED ON ITS OWN.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2021
A CRACK APPEARED STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND I WATCHED IT MOVE ACROSS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT WAS FAST MOVING. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.
Power train, Feb 10, 2021
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2021
PARASITIC BATTERY FAILURES: MULTIPLE EVENTS BETWEEN JULY 2018 AND JANUARY 2021. BATTERY & ALTERNATOR WERE CONSISTENTLY FOUND TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. ONE EVENT HAD EXCESSIVE BATTERY PERCOLATION. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY AN AFTER-MARKET HUM SPEED & LOCATION MONITORING DEVICE PLACED IN JANUARY 2018 AND PARTIALLY REMOVED IN OCTOBER 2020. WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE HUM ATTACHMENT TO THE OBDII PORT. THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY FIXED WHEN AN ASTUTE MECHANIC RECOGNIZED THAT THE FAILURES WERE LIKELY DUE TO THE REMAINING HUM PART ATTACHED TO THE OBDII PORT. LOGICAL IT WOULD DRAW DOWN THE OUTBACK UNDERSIZED BATTERY, WHICH IS WELL DOCUMENTED. SO: ADVICE TO OWNERS: DO NOT ATTACH AFTER-MARKET DEVICES TO YOUR OUTBACK. REMOVE CONNECTIONS LIKE PHONE JACKS AS NEEDED WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED. AND, IF YOU HAVE AN UNEXPLAINED DEAD BATTERY PROBLEM, CHECK THE OBDII PORT & REMOVE ANY FOREIGN DEVICES OR HAVE YOUR MECHANIC DO SO.
Engine, Feb 4, 2021
I HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH MY MUFFLER. TSB 09-66-16 REAR MUFFLER SHELL RIGIDITY ENHANCEMENT THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A CHANGE IN THE PRODUCTION PROCEDURE FOR THE REAR MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. SPOT-WELD LOCATIONS SECURING THE OUTER SHELL PORTION HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO IMPROVE OVERALL RIGIDITY. A GAP MAY DEVELOP AT THE SPOT WELDED SEAM AS A RESULT OF REPEATED THERMAL SHOCK (HEATING / COOLING) WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL USE. THE GAP DOES NOT CREATE AN EXHAUST LEAK. IN SOME CASES, A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE MUFFLER MAY DEVELOP.
Visibility, Jan 27, 2021
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF AN OBJECT MAY HAVE IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CRACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS IMPACTED BY ANY OBJECTS. THE CRACK STARTED OFF AS A LITTLE LINE HOWEVER, WITHIN MINUTES, THE SMALL LINE WENT HORIZONTAL ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE PASSENGER'S TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DON MILLER SUBARU WEST (5822 ODANA RD, MADISON, WI 53719, (608) 442-3200) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Steering, Jan 25, 2021, crash
DRIVING DOWN STRAIGHT STRETCH OF FREEWAY ON THE INSIDE LANE AT 65-70MPH IN WET BUT SATISFACTORY CONDITION, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH CENTRAL ISLAND. NO PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE IS VERY GOOD CONDITION AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. ALTHOUGH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DAMAGED AND DEFLATED, IT DIDN'T DISINTEGRATE AS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED IF IT HAD BURST AT HIGH SPEED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT TIRE PUNCTURES IN THE PAST AND IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT. THERE WAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL FOR 2016/17 OUTBACKS WHICH MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF. COULD THIS BE AN UNDERLYING STEERING ISSUE?
Exterior lighting, Structure, Lane departure, Jan 13, 2021, crash
TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND HIT THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED.I DIDNT WANT TO HIT THERE GARAGE OR MY SON IN LAWS CAR SO I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES AND AGAIN NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR HIT THE NEIGHBOR BUSH AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO REST WHEN IT HIT THE NEIGHBORS HONDA RIGHT DOOR. I THEN PUT IT DRIVE AND PULLED BACK ONTO MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAYS AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING THE VEHICLE. IT DID APPROX. $2200 DAMAGE TO MY SUBARU OUTBACK SENDING IT TO THE COLLISION SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2021
BATTERY DISCHARGING/NOT PROPERLY CHARGING. REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY IN 2017 AT DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION. NEW BATTERY CONTINUES TO NOT STORE CHARGE/DISCHARGE, INCLUDING WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AT A STORE OR A PARKING FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME. THIS POSES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN AND WHERE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, AND I AM FORCED TO FREQUENTLY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND TO ALWAYS HAVE A JUMP STARTER IN THE CAR.
Electrical system, Jan 4, 2021
MULTIPLE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES (APPROX 10 OVER 3 YEAR PERIOD); NO PROVOKING EPISODES (NO LEFT IN COLD FOR PROLONGED TIME; NO LIGHTS ON
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE CORNER. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS AND BLIND SPOT WARNING STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON
Power train, Oct 28, 2020
I TOOK THE CAR INTO PAUL MOAK SUBARU ON 10/14. THE CAR WAS BUCKING UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. WHEN PULLING THRU A STOP LIGHT, OR MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR KICKS BACK AND FORTH AND I DON'T KNOW IF ITS GOING TO KEEP GOING OR STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. PAUL MOAK SUBARU SAYS " THIS IS DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $9,319.59." THIS IS ALMOST THE SAME AS WHAT I OWE ON THE CAR. I KNEW OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SUBARU PROVIDED FOR THE TRANSMISSION BUT I'M OUTSIDE THE MILEAGE PORTION. I REACHED OUT TO SUBARU NORTH AMERICA ON 10/27/20 BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT HELP ME DUE TO THE MILEAGE. I DRIVE APPROX 750 MILES A WEEK ON A SALES ROUTE THUS THE HIGH MILEAGE. 90 % OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY AND ARE DOCUMENTED FOR TAX PURPOSES. I LOVE MY SUBARU BUT CANT BELIEVE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 4 AND AM SCARED TO TAKE THEM IN THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION UNTIL I CAN SAVE THE MONEY IT'S GOING TO COST TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED, ROLLED TO A STOP, AND WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE HAZARD BUTTON BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. THE CAR HAD ITS EPB REPROGRAMMED AND SUB RELAY REPLACEMENT DONE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BY THE ACCIDENT, SO I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO SURMISE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN. IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE 30 SECONDS FROM THE TIME IT STOPPED UNTIL WE WERE HIT BY 3 CARS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2020
DROVE CAR TO MONTANA, PARKED IN HOTEL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED INTO THE UPPER 20'S. WHEN WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, WE SAW THAT THERE WAS A 6 INCH CRACK STARTING AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK GREW AS TEMP WARMED DURING THE DAY WITH ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH PROGRESSIVELY GREW THROUGH THE DRIVE BACK TO CA. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN COLD TEMPERATURE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS A SIGN OF A FAULTY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUBARU OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT, AND THAT REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS HAVE ALSO CRACKED.
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2020
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL SEVERAL TIMES IN FOUR YEARS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 5, 2015. CAR FAILED TO START ON 9/30/16 AND THE MAIN RELAY WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE DEALER: ON 12/5/16, 2/8/17, AND 1/30/19 (INCLUDING A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON 1/30/19 TO "INCREASE BATTERY LIFE.") THE LATEST BATTERY (84 MO. 490CCA) HAS FAILED RECENTLY ON THREE OCCASIONS: 9/29/20 (TWICE) AND 10/21/20, EACH REQUIRING A JUMP START. ON 9/29/20 THE CAR WAS JUMP STARTED, DRIVEN FOR TWENTY MINUTES, SAT WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR 30 MINUTES AND DRIVEN FIVE MINUTES MORE, WAS GASSED UP (ENGINE OFF), DRIVEN FIVE MINUTES, SAT WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR TEN MINUTES AND THEN REQUIRED ANOTHER JUMP START. THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED BATTERY PERFORMANCE TESTS (SOME FAILED, SOME PASSED) BUT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NOT CHECKED COMPONENTS FOR FAILURE TO SHUT OFF, WHICH COULD LEAD TO BATTERY DRAIN. AS INSTRUCTED, I KEEP THE KEY FOB AWAY FROM THE CAR WHEN NOT IN USE, SO THIS APPEARS TO NOT BE A FACTOR.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2020
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A BAD RELAY SWITCH THAT IS IMBEDDED WITH THE DRIVER AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I WAS ALMOST WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE HORN FAILURE OCCURED . A VEHICLE MOVED INTO MY LANE AND DID NOT SEE ME AND I WAS NOT ABLE ABLE TO HONK AND ALERT THEM . I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID IT BY AN INCH OR SO.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 7, 2020
VEHICLE WILL NOT START/CRANK. BATTERY IS BRAND NEW, ALL ELECTRONICS FUNCTION AND LIGHT UP, YET WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED THE ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 3 WEEKS. A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED BUT FAILED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHOWING CODES FOR THE CAM & CRANK SENSORS, INCLUDING CODE P0340, YET ALL SENSORS HAVE TESTED AS OPERATIONAL. I'LL POST AN UPDATE AS SOON AS I HEAR FROM DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2020
RAPID ACCELERATION - THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO OUR SUBARU. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. WE DROVE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND SAT THEIR TALKING WHILE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENED FOR A FEW MINUTES. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. SUDDENLY THE OUTBACK SURGED FORWARD AT A RAPID SPEED. THANK GOD FOR SUBARU EMERGENCY ACCIDENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHIN INCHES OF OUR BACK GARAGE WALL.I REMEMBER MY WIFE SAYING "WHAT JUST HAPPENED? I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WE WERE JUST SITTING THEIR MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUST LUNGED AHEAD RAPIDLY. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN STEP ON THE BRAKE. RAPID ACCELERATION #2 - THIS HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO AND I WAS DRIVING WITH NO PASSENGERS. I WAS PULLING INTO OUR GARAGE AND AGAIN THE OUTBACK RAPIDLY SURGED AHEAD. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES TO STOP AND HAD NO RESPONSE. THE EYE SIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM KICKED IN AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH A PANIC STOP. I AM POSITIVE IN BOTH CASES WE WERE BRAKING THE VEHICLE AND OUR FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THEY WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED AND I DON'T WANT TO EVER SEE THIS HAPPEN. I FEEL SUBRAU SHOULD SUPPLY ME WITH A FREE LOANER CAR UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. I KNOW THEIR IS NO SAFETY RECALL ISSUED AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2020
ORIGINAL OWNER, PURCHASED NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED IN EARLY 2015. WE HAVE REPLACED BATTERY FOUR TIMES AND HAVE HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE ~ 25 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THERE IS CLEARLY A PARASITIC ELECTRICAL DRAIN ON THE BATTERY THAT IS WIDELY DISCUSSED IN ONLINE FORUMS BY FELLOW OWNERS BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU OR ITS DEALERS (PRESUMABLY TO MITIGATE LIABILITY RISKS AND AVOID REPAIR COSTS). WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEALERS ADDRESS THE ISSUE BUT THEY GIVE US BS ANSWERS LIKE "YOU DON'T DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH", "YOU MUST HAVE LEFT LIGHTS ON", OR "THESE NEWER CARS HAVE SO MANY NEW ELECTRICAL FEATURES THAT IT IS TYPICAL FOR BATTERIES TO DIE" .... ALL OF WHICH ARE CLEARLY BS AND AN ATTEMPT TO DEFLECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FLAWED ELECTRICAL DESIGN THAT CONSISTENTLY DRAINS ALL BATTERIES. MOREOVER, PART OF THE FLAW IS A SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED TO ONLY RECHARGE THE BATTERY UNDER CERTAIN HIGHER SPEED DRIVING CONDITIONS ... WHICH ARE RARELY ACHIEVED WHEN DRIVING SHORTER DISTANCES AT LOWER SPEEDS IN CITY APPLICATIONS. EVEN WHEN DRIVING THE CAR REGULARLY, MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK THE BATTERIES ALL EVENTUALLY DIE WELL SHORT OF THEIR INTENDED LIFE NEEDLESSLY REQUIRING JUMP-STARTING, TRICKLE-CHARGING TO TOP OFF BATTERY AND/OR REPLACEMENT (WE ARE ON 4TH BATTERY FOR THIS VEHICLE). SUBARU SHOULD SHOW ITS "LOVE" BY STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX DESIGN PROBLEMS THAT ARE AFFECTING SO MANY CUSTOMERS.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 25, 2020
MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK -- HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I'VE MENTIONED THIS TO THE STEVENS CREEK SAN JOSE DEALERSHIP WHEN TAKING MY CAR FOR MAINTENANCE, BUT THEY SAID THE BEHAVIOR IS AS INTENDED.