YearToAvoid

2015 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems

NHTSA has logged 130 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outback, 25% of that year's 510 total complaints. Owners commonly report keyless ignition/start failures, cold-weather no-start issues, and wiring problems tied to fire risk, with median failure mileage around 30,000. No related recalls are listed.

Electrical System complaints
130
25% of 510
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
30,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Keyless access system disables and throws a warning light while driving, sometimes with the engine losing power, tied to a faulty wiring connector.
  • In cold weather (below 5 degrees), the vehicle fails to restart after a short trip, with multiple warning lights illuminating on the dash.
  • Keyless ignition system deactivates unexpectedly, showing a 'keyless start up deactivated' message and preventing the car from starting.
  • A wiring harness connector controlling the HVAC system reportedly caught fire and fused two connectors together after normal use.
  • Front windshield defroster wiring caused the windshield to crack and a nearby plastic panel to melt.
  • Tail light housings do not generate enough heat to prevent snow buildup, reducing visibility.

When 2015 Subaru Outback electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 7, 2014, latest Aug 12, 2026.

2015 Subaru Outback electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter122014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12021 Q32023 Q12025 Q1
130 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q1 (12).

Electrical System recalls for the 2015 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201061 (17%)
  2. 2011165 (25%)
  3. 201251 (17%)
  4. 201329 (10%)
  5. 201437 (18%)
  6. 2015130 (25%)
  7. 2016311 (48%)
  8. 2017396 (43%)
  9. 2018270 (33%)
  10. 2019367 (35%)
  11. 2020267 (30%)
  12. 202177 (26%)
  13. 202254 (12%)
  14. 202323 (26%)
  15. 202419 (19%)
  16. 202516 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 130 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Outback, making up 25% of the 510 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Subaru Outback electrical system?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2015 Outback.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 30,000 miles.
Did any electrical complaints involve fires?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 3 fire incidents and 1 crash associated with Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Outback, with 0 injuries reported.
How does 2015 compare to other Outback years for electrical complaints?
The 2015 Outback's 25% electrical complaint share is lower than 2016 (48%), 2017 (43%), and 2019 (35%), but higher than 2013 (10%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.