2015 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 31 brake complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outback, 6% of its 510 total complaints that year, including 5 crashes and 3 injuries. A related recall (16V251000) covers moisture-contaminated brake fluid on cars built July 20, 2015. Median mileage at failure was 38,850.
- Brakes complaints
- 31
- 6% of 510
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 38,850 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor with little or no braking response, sometimes requiring extreme force to stop the car.
- Some describe the Eyesight automatic braking system triggering unexpectedly at low-to-moderate speeds without an obstacle present.
- Others report the automatic braking system failing to engage at slow speeds, resulting in the car striking a wall or parked vehicle.
- A few owners describe accidentally depressing the accelerator while trying to brake because the brake pedal sits low enough to overlap with the gas pedal.
- One owner reported the electronic parking brake locking and failing to disengage after the car sat parked for about 12 days.
When 2015 Subaru Outback brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 10, 2015, latest Jan 25, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2015 Subaru Outback
- 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.
Brakes complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA lists 31 brake complaints for the 2015 Outback, which is 6% of the 510 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2015 Subaru Outback?
- Yes. Recall 16V251000 covers 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles built on July 20, 2015, due to brake fluid that may contain excess moisture; Subaru performs an ABS activation and flushes and replaces the brake fluid free of charge.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2015 Outback?
- The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 38,850 miles.
- Did the 2015 Outback brake complaints lead to crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints show 5 crashes and 3 injuries, with no fires reported.
- How does the 2015 Outback compare to other years for brake complaints?
- The 2015 Outback's 31 brake complaints (6% share) are lower in share than years like 2011 (13%) and 2012 (14%), but higher in raw count than several later years such as 2021 (8 complaints) and 2024 (4 complaints).