Model year record

2015 Subaru Outback

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 701 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V292000

Steering: column

Component
Steering: column
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
48,819
Reported to NHTSA
2016-05-11
Owners notified
2016-05-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V251000

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Component
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
766
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-27
Owners notified
2016-05-20

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V502000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
2,893
Reported to NHTSA
2015-08-10
Owners notified
2015-08-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V366000

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

Component
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
71,710
Reported to NHTSA
2015-06-12
Owners notified
2015-07-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V577000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
56
Reported to NHTSA
2014-09-19
Owners notified
2014-10-07

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility/wiper1319,000 mi
Electrical system12928,000 mi
Unknown or other11323,000 mi
Engine4944,000 mi
Power train3826,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3125,000 mi
Service brakes3035,700 mi
Structure: body2625,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2033,350 mi
Air bags1623,000 mi
Steering1445 mi
Structure101,980 mi
Visibility: windshield960,000 mi
Suspension87,500 mi
Wheels845,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings5
Back over prevention: rearview system braking4
Electrical system: horn4126,000 mi
Exterior lighting4250 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection475,000 mi
Seats437,300 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)319,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking3109,000 mi
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera273,022 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery214,739 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2194,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2244,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility2250 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)2100 mi
Lane departure: warning2
Seat belts2450 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic286,801 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly218,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette1
Back over prevention: display function145,000 mi
Child seat1
Electrical system: wiring11,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical11,980 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.17 mi
Forward collision avoidance116,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Visibility171,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system13,400 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer195,000 mi

The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2016 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.