2015 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Subaru Outback has a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 510 complaints, 5 recalls (one do-not-drive), and 20 crashes, with Visibility & Wipers and Electrical System issues leading the count.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 510
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2015 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers142 (28%)
- Electrical System130 (25%)
- Other116 (23%)
- Engine74 (15%)
- Structure & Body37 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (7%)
- Brakes31 (6%)
- Fuel System18 (4%)
- Airbags14 (3%)
- Steering13 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report windshields cracking near the defroster area, in some cases accompanied by melting exterior trim.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or maneuvering at low speed, leading to collisions.
- Electrical connectors and wiring behind the dashboard reportedly caught fire or produced chemical odors, sometimes shortly after purchase.
- Several owners state the brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping power, even after using the parking brake.
- Front airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed frontal collisions.
- A vehicle reportedly caught fire while parked, which the owner linked to the transmission fluid leak recall.
2015 Subaru Outback recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V292000May 11, 2016Steering48,819 vehiclesDo Not Drive
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.
Risk: 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 16V251000Apr 27, 2016Brakes766 vehicles
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."
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.
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 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Transmission & Powertrain2,893 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
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.
2015 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,625
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Subaru Outback a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data gives it a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years. It is not the worst Outback year, but it has more reported problems than most other model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Outback?
- Visibility & Wipers complaints make up 28% of all reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 25% and Engine problems at 15%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2015 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2015 Outback, including one do-not-drive steering recall, plus recalls covering brakes, transmission, collision avoidance cameras, and a trailer hitch.
- How does the 2015 Outback compare to other Outback years?
- Its Complaint Index of 65 is worse than most earlier Outback years like 2006 (index 10, Good) but better than 2016 through 2020, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 75 or higher.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Subaru Outback?
- EPA rates the 2015 Outback at 25 mpg combined (22.5 city, 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,625.