2015 Subaru Outback Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 37 Structure & Body complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outback, 7% of its 510 total complaints that year. Owners most often describe windshield cracking without impact, dashboard glare from the glossy infotainment screen, and excessive wind noise, with median failure mileage at 18,329.5. One trailer-hitch recall (14V577000) touches this area.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 37
- 7% of 510
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 18,330 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Windshields crack spontaneously, often starting near the heating element or a small chip, with no reported impact from debris.
- The glossy dashboard touch screen for radio and navigation reflects sunlight directly into the driver's eyes, reducing visibility while driving.
- Owners describe persistent excessive wind noise that recurred even after two attempted fixes.
- A gap between the hood and front fender lets outside light show through near the wiper area, described as a fit and structural concern.
- One owner reported a fire shortly after a short drive, suspecting a transmission fluid leak similar to a separate recall issue.
- A driver reported lower back pain attributed to the seat's lumbar support extending too far.
When 2015 Subaru Outback body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 23, 2014, latest Nov 21, 2025.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2015 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 14V577000Sep 19, 2014Structure & Body56 vehicles
Trailer hitches
Subaru 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Structure & Body 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 Structure & Body complaints does the 2015 Subaru Outback have?
- NHTSA lists 37 Structure & Body complaints for the 2015 Outback, which is 7% of the 510 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2015 Outback?
- Yes, recall campaign 14V577000 covers Structure & Body concerns tied to the trailer hitch assembly, involving replacement of the eight mounting nuts.
- What is the most common Structure & Body complaint on the 2015 Outback?
- Owners most frequently describe windshields cracking without any impact and a glossy dashboard screen that creates blinding sun glare while driving.
- At what mileage do these Structure & Body problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 18,329.5 miles for Structure & Body complaints on the 2015 Outback.
- Were there any crashes, fires, or injuries linked to these complaints?
- Among the 37 Structure & Body complaints, NHTSA records 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.