This page covers 8 recalls, 500 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Subaru Outback.
22–28 mpg combined
8.4–10.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2015 Subaru Outback cluster heavily around visibility and electrical issues. The single largest area owners report involves the windshield, with many describing spontaneous cracks that typically originate along the lower passenger-side edge without any apparent impact. The infotainment system draws the next biggest wave of reports, with owners describing the touchscreen unit operating on its own, adjusting volume, placing calls, and pressing buttons without any input, sometimes even when the radio is switched off. The electrical system category more broadly includes reports of intermittent horn failure, where the horn stops responding during straight-line driving but works when the steering wheel is turned. Powertrain complaints are comparatively fewer, covering general transmission and drivetrain concerns. The self-cracking windshield pattern is by far the most consistently repeated single symptom across this model year's complaint set.
500
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
13
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Subaru Outback has 8 recalls, the most serious involving a transmission oil leak that can drip onto the exhaust pipe and start a fire, and a steering column defect where turning the wheel may have no effect on the vehicle's direction.
Two separate recalls address trailer hitches: on certain vehicles, overtightened mounting hardware can weaken the fasteners or break the mounting studs, causing a tow hitch to detach while hauling a trailer. On the brake side, manual transmission models have a recall for an electronic parking brake connector that can come loose, leaving the driver unable to set the parking brake or, if already engaged, unable to release it, with either condition potentially allowing the vehicle to roll. There are also two driver assistance recalls: the automatic pre-collision braking system can fail to react to obstacles ahead, and separately, a brake light switch failure can disable automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking without alerting the driver. Finally, on certain vehicles built on a specific date, brake fluid with excess moisture can degrade the electronic stability control system, reducing its ability to help the driver maintain control in a skid.
At a glance
What can fail
The connector for the electronic parking brake may disconnect, preventing you from applying or releasing the parking brake. The vehicle could roll away if parked on an incline. The brake warning lamp will turn on or flash.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Subaru will mail you instructions to visit a dealership. A technician will inspect the parking brake connector and install a retaining clip if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column may have been improperly machined, causing the steering wheel to have no effect on wheel direction when turned.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering column lot number and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake fluid in affected vehicles may contain excess moisture, which can reduce the electronic stability control system's performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will activate the ABS system, then flush and replace the brake fluid at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke may be deformed, allowing transmission oil to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the propeller shaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake light activation switch may fail, preventing the automatic pre-collision braking feature of the EyeSight Driver Assist System from operating.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the driver assist system at no cost to restore pre-collision braking functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty brake light switch can disable the driver assist system without alerting you, leaving automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking inactive.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the driver assist system to restore proper function and alerts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch mounting bolts may have been overtightened during installation, weakening the fasteners. This could cause the hitch to separate from the vehicle while towing a trailer.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the mounting hardware and replace any damaged fasteners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch mounting nuts were overtightened during installation, which can cause the mounting studs to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts and inspect all eight mounting studs for damage at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
