2015 Subaru Outback Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outback. Part of Generation 5 — 2015–2019.

20142016
Complaints
634
per 10K Sold
41.6
US Sales
152,294
Crashes
36
Fires
7
Injuries
30
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2015 Subaru Outback Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1130 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

Avg mileage:19,461 mi
#2117 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:31,068 mi
Fires:3
#346 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:41,884 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2015 Subaru Outback.

Wipers & Visibility
130
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,461
Electrical Faults
117
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
31,068
Engine Problems
46
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
41,884
Transmission / Drivetrain
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
28,679
Brakes
27
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
58,242
Unintended Acceleration
26
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
28,382
Body Structure
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
30,645
Fuel System
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
54,910
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
32,814
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
38,509
Structural Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,431
Visibility:Windshield
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,507
Wheel Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,483
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention:Display Function
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2015 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2015 Subaru Outback

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~124,244 vehicles.

16V292000Steering:column
~48,819 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

16V251000Electronic Stability Control
~766 affected

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."

15V502000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft · Automatic Transmission
~2,893 affected

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.

15V366000Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~71,710 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

14V577000Trailer Hitches
~56 affected

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.

Other Subaru Outback Years

2015 Subaru Outback — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2015 Subaru Outback reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2015 Subaru Outback has 634 NHTSA complaints, 36 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Wipers & Visibility with 130 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2015 Subaru Outback?
Top reported problems: Wipers & Visibility (130 complaints, avg 19,461 mi); Electrical Faults (117 complaints, avg 31,068 mi); Engine Problems (46 complaints, avg 41,884 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2015 Subaru Outback?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 31,511 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2015 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outback include 36 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2015 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 124,244 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2015 Subaru Outback?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2015 Subaru Outback

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