Your vehicle report
2015 Subaru Outback
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 510
- Received Sep 2014 to Aug 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Glass shatters or cracks without impact167 complaints · 33% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Battery drains and dies when parked72 complaints · 14% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Unintended acceleration despite braking32 complaints · 6.3% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #16V292000Do not driveSubaru 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.
- Recall #16V251000Subaru 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."
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Battery drains and dies when parkedFirst signal: Jan 2017
- Horn fails with airbag warning lightFirst signal: Jun 2023
- Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its ownFirst signal: Nov 2017
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 20 crashes, 5 fires, 17 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
- Unintended acceleration despite braking
- Exhaust manifold cracks and leaks fumes
- CVT transmission fails or loses power
1 more problem
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 135 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 61 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 14 |
| Total | 510 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 167 | 33% | – | |
| Battery drains and dies when parked | 72 | 14% | 9.6× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jan 2017 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.7% |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 32 | 6.3% | – | |
| Horn fails with airbag warning light | 13 | 2.5% | 47.5× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jun 2023 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.2% |
| Wheel bearings fail prematurely | 11 | 2.2% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 9 | 1.8% | – | |
| Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its own | 9 | 1.8% | 6× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Nov 2017 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.4% |
| Exhaust manifold cracks and leaks fumes | 8 | 1.6% | – | |
| Automatic emergency braking applies without reason | 8 | 1.6% | – | |
| CVT transmission fails or loses power | 8 | 1.6% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 7 | 1.4% | – | |
| Frame rusts and corrodes through | 7 | 1.4% | 17.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2025 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.7% |
| Engine won't start or cranks intermittently | 7 | 1.4% | – | |
| Tailgate or trunk latch fails | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Side mirrors give poor rear visibility | 5 | 1.0% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 5 | 1.0% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 4 | 0.8% | – | |
| Rearview backup camera fails or goes black | 4 | 0.8% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #16V292000May 11, 201648,819 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
steering: column
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #16V251000April 27, 2016766 vehicles affected
electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #15V502000August 10, 20152,893 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission; power train: driveline: driveshaft
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #15V366000June 12, 201571,710 vehicles affected
exterior lighting: brake lights: switch; forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #14V577000September 19, 201456 vehicles affected
trailer hitches
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.
Remedy
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2015 Subaru Outback.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN