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2015 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2015 Subaru Legacy carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering electronic stability control (esc) and driveshaft. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield spontaneous cracking without impact.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Campaign #16V251000 · Apr 27, 2016

Issue: 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

Campaign #15V502000 · Oct 8, 2015

Issue: 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

Campaign #15V366000 · Dec 6, 2015

Issue: 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.

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Subaru Legacy.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    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 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield spontaneous cracking without impact

VISIBILITY/WIPER

40 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2024-06

“WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 14 MONTH'S AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD 6 TIMES DUE TO CRACKING. OTHER CARS IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE THEIR WINDSHIELDS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10826159
“THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE. THREE LARGE CRACKS ONE OF WHICH IS NOW ALMOST ALL THE WAY OVER IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THERE WAS A CHIP WHERE THE CRACK STARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730306
“FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRED ON 8/24/17 AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR TSB WITH CRACK STARTING FROM THE DEICER. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11029938

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parasitic battery drain leaving vehicle stranded

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 NHTSA complaints · 2021-04 → 2024-04

“We have owned two 2015 Subaru Legacy sedans. Both of them have had major battery problems. We've had to have battery tenders (trickle-chargers) installed on both cars, and we're still having battery problems”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492991
“CAN ( Controller Area Network) is causing a parasitic draining of my battery causing me to have to jump my car regularly and I changed the battery less than a year ago”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11419898
“I have been experiencing excessive electrical drain issues throughout the life of my vehicle. I have had to jump it at least 10 times and have replaced the battery 4 times throughout my 7 years of ownership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11451733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel filler door fails to open or release

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2016-05

“THE GAS LID WOULDN'T OPEN WHEN THE LEVER WAS PULLED. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR IT TO GET FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10717904
“AT THE FIRST REFUELING OF THE CAR AFTER PURCHASE, THE FUEL DOOR DID NOT OPEN WHEN THE LEVER WAS PULLED. EVENTUALLY IT DID OPEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10735481
“GAS CAP LID DOES NOT OPEN. WE TOOK THE AUTO INTO DEALERSHIP JUNE 30, 2015 AND GAVE THEM TSB-09-60-15”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862476

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden acceleration despite brake application

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2026-01

“Despite my foot being firmly pressed on the brake pedal, my car surged forward, retracing the path that I had followed while backing up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11714652
“IN FEBRUARY 2017 WE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 6 OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11062302
“MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY. WHILE PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ABOUT TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11152454

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT slipping, judder, and stalling

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2026-03

“While driving, the transmission began shuddering, slipping, and making metallic grinding noises. Vehicle could barely climb a small ramp and was locked in limp mode, making it unsafe to operate in traffic”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723218
“SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2017 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY JERKED AND SHOOK EXCESSIVELY, BUCKING LIKE A MAD HORSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11166624
“CAR STALLED ON CITY STREET. TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11404967

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and Takata recall

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2024-11

“I was in a wreck were my car slammed into the center barrier on the interstate twice and my air bags didn't deploy and I was slammed into my car door”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11521550
“TAKATA RECALL -- RECEIVED NOTICE ~ AUGUST 12 OF SETTLEMENT IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING SUBARU MANUFACTURED AND SOLD VEHICLES THAT CONTAINED ALLEGEDLY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS MADE BY TAKATA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11015462
“The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the driver's side air bag unintendedly deployed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626620

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

20 crashes 1990–2024

How the 20 occupant deaths break down

16

driver deaths

4

passenger deaths

20

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

15

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Subaru Legacy reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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