Wrench.Pro

2015 Subaru Outback: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2015 / subaru / outback
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-12)
complaints509 on file (2014-09-23 → 2026-08-27)
recalls5
investigations1
fars28 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Battery drain and repeated no-startELECTRICAL SYSTEM69 complaints2020-04 → 2025-07outback-2015-battery-drain
  • 11458508 Our 2015 Subaru Outback has had 4 batteries in 4 years. After some research, a parasitic battery drain issue is common with this year Outback and other Subaru models. Some sites call out the Subaru CAN network as the culprit
  • 11470330 On multiple occasions the car battery was drained and required a jump to start. Battery replaced less than 5 months ago. Service technicians unable to identify problem with alternator or parasitic drain
  • 11424585 With a relatively new battery, my car would not start. I had the rear lift gate open, but lights turned off, for about an hour while packing for a trip and when I went to start the car it was completely dead and I had to jump it to get it started again
Windshield cracking without impactVISIBILITY/WIPER22 complaints2020-03 → 2026-03outback-2015-windshield-cracking
  • 11418045 Windshield randomly cracked on its own. Similar issue as other have reported in past. Begins on passenger side in wiper park near heated zone and continues up across windshield for 12 inches or so. Car was parked, nothing hit the windshield
  • 11355085 WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING FROM WINDSHIELD WIPER HEATER LOCATION ON PASSENGER SIDE UP AND OVER TO MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 2 .5 FEET IN LENGTH
  • 11331954 WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, I NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY HAD A CRACK THAT STARTED AT THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE AND RAN DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 12", NO EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY STONE, ETC
Exhaust pipe and bellows cracking with cabin fumesENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 complaints2020-07 → 2026-06outback-2015-exhaust-bellows-crack
  • 11638265 Exhaust manifold bellows crack Exhaust coming into car when idling
  • 11341893 NOTED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL WEEKS, AN INCREASE IN EXHAUST NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE CABIN WOULD FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING
  • 11553298 The car had a recall on it for the catalytic converter and front pipe and bellows being cracked. It was replaced under a service bulletin put out by Subaru at 104,000 miles in 2020. I just went to get the vehicle inspected in 5/2023 and the exact same part is failing once again
Sunroof glass shattering while drivingVISIBILITY/WIPER6 complaints2022-10 → 2025-01outback-2015-sunroof-shattering
  • 11637190 My sunroof glass just shattered spontaneously while I was driving. Thankfully the door was closed or me and my daughter would have been showered by glass while in the road
  • 11497130 My sunroof exploded. Sounded like a gunshot. On the highway, 12/12 1pm. 50+- degrees partly sunny day
  • 11490479 While driving on 55mph road, sunroof suddenly shattered for no apparent reason (no sudden impact from rock or other debris), producing a loud bang, startling driver
Unintended acceleration while brakingVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 complaints2020-03 → 2026-01outback-2015-unintended-acceleration
  • 11496422 while attempting to come to a complete stop, depressing the brakes, the vehicle continued to accelerate even though the brake was depressed to the floor. At no time was the driver's foot on the accelerator. This is one of 2 incidents with the vehicle
  • 11569433 Our 2015 Subaru Outback occasionally accelerates sharply without the driver's foot being on the gas peddle. It always happens when decelerating and applying the brakes
  • 11457438 While parking car in garage, car suddenly surged forward although my foot was off gas and nearly hit end of garage. Engine Temp was relatively cold as it had just been started. This has happened several times before
Clock spring failure with inoperative hornELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS13 complaints2020-10 → 2026-07outback-2015-clock-spring-horn
  • 11622856 Horn became intermittent with failure related to steering wheel position, then failed altogether. No horn is a safety issue. We replaced the 'SRC SET 83196AJO4', AKA 'clockspring', the wiring assembly that connects the AIRBAG as well as the HORN, and all steering wheel controls
  • 11748265 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
  • 11600184 The car horn is unable to be used when driving straight. It only works when setting the alarm and only when you steer the wheel left or right. There are no warning lights on the instrument panel
CVT failure and loss of drivePOWER TRAIN7 complaints2020-08 → 2024-12outback-2015-cvt-failure
  • 11478982 The continuously variable transmission failed at 114,000 miles. The unexpected lack of proper shifting on the roadway causes impediment to traffic expecting a continual flow of traffic
  • 11366919 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
  • 11354812 CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT). THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN SUDDENLY MOTIONLESS, ENGINE REVVED UP AT 3500 RPM BUT THE CVT REMAINED UNRESPONSIVE
Excessive engine oil consumption and leaksENGINE7 complaints2020-06 → 2023-12outback-2015-oil-consumption
  • 11444473 Engine consistently burns oil. Adding pints between factory recommended oil change interval when low oil light comes on. On average, one pint is burned every 1500 miles
  • 11558634 The cam carrier has a leak that is causing oil to slowly leak out of the car. The current issue is causing me to have to regularly add oil to the car
  • 11414293 WITHIN 80K MILES THE CAR HAS STARTED SHOWING HIGH ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE OIL IS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 6000 MILES BUT AT 4000 MILES LOW ENGINE OIL LIGHT WILL SHOW UP AND CHECKING ON OIL LEVEL, IT SHOWS AT THE LOW LEVEL OF DIPDTICK

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
5092014-09-232026-08-27195VISIBILITY/WIPER:130; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:127; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:108; ENGINE:47; POWER TRAIN:37

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
16V25100027/04/2016ELECTRONIC 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.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.
14V57700019/09/2014TRAILER HITCHESSubaru 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.
15V50200010/08/2015POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTSubaru 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.
16V29200011/05/2016STEERING:COLUMNSubaru 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.
15V36600012/06/2015FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKINGSubaru 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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA21002openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2021-09-17··From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202428legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2015 Subaru Outback vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/subaru/outback
@misc{wrenchpro_2015_subaru_outback_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2015 Subaru Outback},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/subaru/outback}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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