2015 Subaru Outback

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2015 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2015: 505 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	2
1996	46
1997	79
1998	127
1999	111
2000	207
2001	171
2002	143
2003	93
2004	90
2005	273
2006	276
2007	129
2008	226
2009	105
2010	359
2011	649
2012	290
2013	295
2014	208
2015	505
2016	639
2017	917
2018	803
2019	1029
2020	890
2021	291
2022	453
2023	85
2024	89
2025	65
2026	8

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VISIBILITY/WIPER 26%

26% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 130 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 119 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED UPWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150318

ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I was within the town limits so I was driving slowly. When I approached the first stop light in town I saw that it was red. There were of three or four vehicles stopped at that light. At that point I was probably only going 5mph.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250922

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20141007 — 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.

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.

Campaign 14V577000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2015 — complaint volume: 505

R 20150720 — exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V366000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150828 — power train

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.

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.

Campaign 15V502000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160513 — steering

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V292000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160520 — electronic stability control (esc)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015.

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.

Campaign 16V251000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (130 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (119 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (47 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 14V577000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V366000 (exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V502000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V292000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V251000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2015 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Subaru Outback is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is visibility/wiper, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Outback have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.