2015 Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (129) · Electrical System (91) · Vehicle Speed Control (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Outback model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
343 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Steering:column 2016-05-11 · campaign 16V292000 · 48,819 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2016-04-27 · campaign 16V251000 · 766 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2015-08-10 · campaign 15V502000 · 2,893 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking 2015-06-12 · campaign 15V366000 · 71,710 vehicles
Defect: 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,
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Trailer Hitches 2014-09-19 · campaign 14V577000 · 56 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (550)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 550 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-27 · Suspension“front subframe is rusted out. went to do brakes and found holes in frame. i contacted subaru of north olmsted and was told this is common. was told to call subaru of america and complain and see if they would help. so i called and was told it's common because the car is exposed to snow salt. i have never seen anything like this. i joined a subaru f…”
2026-08-19 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera · 73,022 mi“the contact owns a 2015 subaru outback. the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. the maps and radio were glitching and then seized stuck. the screen was difficult to read. the screen was pixelated due to the brightness outside. the camera was inoperable. the local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there wa…”
2026-08-12 · Unknown Or Other“the subaru's starlink radio has completely delaminated on the layer between the display and the digitizer, which does not allow the radio to be controlled in any way, shape, or form. this means that the touch screen is not working anymore, and because the radio is so delaminated, whenever the car is put into reverse during the daytime, the backup c…”
2026-07-19 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“vehicle component affected: electrical system / forward collision avoidance / back over prevention description of the safety defect: the factory infotainment touchscreen in my 2015 subaru outback limited (vin: [xxx]) has suffered a severe manufacturing defect where the internal chemical gel adhesive has melted, creating large, oily liquid bubbles …”
2026-07-13 · Unknown Or Other“this is an odometer fraud situation. the car was reported at 187,062 with photo documentation on 4/17/2026 via a mechanics office. it was then reported at 104,332 during a co emissions test inspection. i called to verify the mileage reported from the mechanics office and they sent me a photo from 4/17/2026 of the odometer reading 187,062. this car …”
2026-07-04 · Electrical System“my car horn stopped working. the dealership said the clock spring (steering roll connector) component has failed, confirmed by the resulting complete loss of the horn function. the dealership did not communicate the fact that my drivers airbag would not function properly in an accident. i couldn’t afford the repair at the time, putting my life in d…”
2026-06-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“nhtsa issued a notice for a recall on the 2015 subaru outback for an exhaust pipe bellows crack which causes exhaust noise and odor which affects emission and engine performance. i had noticed our subaru's exhaust smoke coming in through the air vents while idling and also a general loss of power for the vehicle. when i dug into the causes, i cam…”
2026-06-12 · Electrical System:horn · 126,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 subaru outback. the contact stated that the horn was completely inoperative. the dealer was not notified the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 126,000.…”
2026-06-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · 244,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 subaru outback. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust manifold detached from the vehicle. due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. the dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer advised the contact that a recall repair was previ…”
2026-05-28 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 194,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact stated that he recently purchased a 2015 subaru outback. the vehicle was purchased through a private sale. at the time of purchase the odometer reading was 91,000. the contact stated while obtaining insurance was informed the mileage was 194,000. a carfax report was not obtained. there was no other agency contacted. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.