66 complaints reported

2015 Subaru Outback UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
66
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2025

Exhaust manifold bellows crack Exhaust coming into car when idling

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Oct 2024

The horn stopped working on my vehicle. This puts my safety and other driver's safety at risk since I can not alert them if they are coming into my lane. I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy but they are not willing to fix this problem. I checked the online forums and this seems to be a common problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Nov 2023

iNFOMATION UNIT STOPPED WORKING AND HAS MOISTURE FOG INSIDE OF IT. I WAS USING IT FOR THE MAP ROUTE IN AN AREA THAT I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MOISTURE COULD GET IN A SEALED UNIT BUT IT IS OVER $22,000. TO REPLACE IT. PERHAPS THIS DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT WAS FOR ME SINCE I NEEDED DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW TO GET HOME.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2023

On my drive in to work this morning, the sunroof on my outback shattered with a loud bang. Fortunately the inside sun shade was closed, otherwise I would have been showered with glass while driving 50mph on the expressway. How does this happen? There were no trees overhead, no cars or trucks near me, the temperature was not especially hot or cold. And, I would think the glass would have a film or something that would hold the pieces together in the unlikely event that it would break!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Apr 2023

The child safety lock on the passenger side will not disengage. Our child is old enough now to operate the door safely but she cannot open the door from the inside. I feel that this is a great safety concern and the dealer should take care of the cost. When we asked if it could be fixed the dealer expressed that it would be on us for all charges. This is a manufacturer defect and should be rectified immediately. Thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2022
Sep 2022

The car experienced sudden reverse acceleration when the gear was switched to reverse. I had to floor the brake pedal to have the car stop. I was fortunate behind me was enough of grassy area for the car to stop. Yes, I am sure I wasn't pushing gas because eventually after hard pressing the brakes the car stopped. Afterwards I tried pushing both and it was impossible to push both hard as the foot slips off the brake pedal.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Jul 2022

Purchased this car in 2019 from dealer as a pre certified vehicle. Replaced original battery(dealer said it was)in 8/2021. As I had to have it jumped, battery drain. 6 years old. So I replaced. I have had numerous battery drain since, jumped numerous times. Dealer will say I left something on, NO I didn't. They check and can't find issues. So, I purchased a battery jumper pack. I'm 64yrs old female. Don't need this worry, is my cr going to start. Please help. As I've read numerous other 2015 outback owners are having same issues and Subaru won't address them.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2022
Dec 2021

I have had to have my battery replaced almost every year since I bought this car and there is always a large amount or corrosion no matter how often I clean it. I just read that this has been a known issue of Subaru. I literally just had the dealership in late November tell me at an oil change that I needed to replace my battery. When I informed them that I had just replaced it in February of of this year when I stopped for gas in the middle of the Texas winter storm and my car would not start back up (That battery was only about a year and a half old), they blamed the cold weather and suddenly backpedaled saying it just seemed low so I should keep an eye on it. Yesterday, my car took two tries to start so I am going to have the battery tested again but this means I haven't even gotten a full years worth out of it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Oct 2021

I previously wrote to you back in mid-Sept. 2021. It was a problem with battery drainage on my Outback and the fact that many other Subaru owners were having the same problem. #[XXX] was the case # that I was assigned. I have never heard from anyone at the NHTSA I don't want to repeat everything that I previously stated. I would appreciate a response as enough time has elapsed. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2015
Sep 2021

I proudly purchased my 2015 Subaru Outback, new, in April 2015. I currently have less than 18,000 miles on it. During the time I have owned my Outback, I have had to replace the battery 5 times, through no fault of my own. Subaru USA and my Subaru dealership say that I do not drive it enough. B/S. I have done some research online and have found many other Subaru owners who are constantly having battery problems and dead batteries. I understand some have filed a Class Action Suit. The problem appears to be that the battery drains down on a regular basis. Now when I put my car in my garage at night, I turn the headlights off completely, the radio off, the A/C off, and I do not set my parking brake for fear all of the above will drain my battery overnight. I am even afraid to set my car alarm. I have had to call AAA each time the battery has gone COMPLETELY DEAD. They are tired of seeing me. Fortunately for me, each time the battery has died, I was at home and my car in the garage. I am a senior citizen who is afraid my battery will die when I am not close to home. I purchased a Subaru because of its so-called reliability. I am tired of Subaru giving me the runaround and trying to make it look as though I am the problem. I, for the life of me, don't understand how this problem has been swept under the rug by Subaru for so LONG. When I chose the Outback, I had done my homework and went first to the LA Auto Show and the Outback, back then, appeared to be my dream car, which has turned into a nightmare for me. I had a Sienna for 15 years and only replaced the battery twice. PLEASE have your staff seriously look into this Subaru battery drainage problem. I am certainly not alone with this problem. Each time I go to start up my Outback, I have to hold my breath and keep my finger and toes crossed. Subaru USA has given me little or no answer to my problem. My dealership again tells me I have to drive more. The other Subaru owners must not drive enough!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

This car has had 5 batteries. The charging system tests fine. It’s not safe.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
May 2021

Windshield randomly cracked on its own. Similar issue as other have reported in past. Begins on passenger side in wiper park near heated zone and continues up across windshield for 12 inches or so. Car was parked, nothing hit the windshield.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2021
Oct 2020 Crash Injury

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED, ROLLED TO A STOP, AND WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE HAZARD BUTTON BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. THE CAR HAD ITS EPB REPROGRAMMED AND SUB RELAY REPLACEMENT DONE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BY THE ACCIDENT, SO I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO SURMISE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN. IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE 30 SECONDS FROM THE TIME IT STOPPED UNTIL WE WERE HIT BY 3 CARS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2020
Oct 2020

THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A BAD RELAY SWITCH THAT IS IMBEDDED WITH THE DRIVER AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I WAS ALMOST WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE HORN FAILURE OCCURED . A VEHICLE MOVED INTO MY LANE AND DID NOT SEE ME AND I WAS NOT ABLE ABLE TO HONK AND ALERT THEM . I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID IT BY AN INCH OR SO.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2020
Oct 2020 Crash

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS I WAS GRADUALLY HITTING THE BRAKES, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED HITTING THE FENCE IN FRONT. I AM SURE THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I HIT THE BRAKES AND IT WAS OF NO USE. AFTER HITTING THE FENCE THE CAR STOPPED AS I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2020
Oct 2020

LIFT GATE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, MAKING KNOCKING SOUND.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019
Sep 2020

THE ELECTRIC TAILGATE SOMETIMES MALFUNCTIONS AND GETS STUCK IN AN OPEN POSITION, AND CAN ONLY BE FORCED CLOSED MANUALLY BY A STRONG PERSON. MY GIRLFRIEND HAS TROUBLE CLOSING IT, AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE TAILGATE OPEN. THIS IS UNSAFE - THE TAILGATE STICKS OUT PAST THE BACK OF THE CAR, FOLLOWING TRAFFIC CAN'T SEE HER TAIL LIGHTS, AND EXHAUST GAS CAN BE DRAWN INTO THE CAR. I'VE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY FORESTER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. YOU SHOULD FORCE A SAFETY RECALL AND MAKE SUBARU FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE. I CALLED THE DEALER - THEY SAID GUARANTEED FIX IS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN DO THIS ON THE ROAD? THANKS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2020
Sep 2020

DURING THE FALL OF 2019, I NOTICED AN EXHAUST SMELL WHEN STARTING MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MY GARAGE. THIS SMELL COINCIDED WITH THE CAR RUNNING ROUGH WHEN STARTING AND THE EXHAUST SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS CABIN EXHAUST SMELL IN THE SUMMER DUE TO USING THE AC ON RECIRCULATE. THE EXHAUST SMELL WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN I WAS IDLING WAITING TO PICK UP MY KIDS AND SITTING AT TRAFFIC STOPS. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO A SUBARU DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CRACKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS WAS WHEN MY CAR WAS AT 80,829 MILES AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD THE PART ON HAND. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS HAPPENS TO THEM QUITE FREQUENTLY SINCE STOCKING A $1500 ON HAND WOULD NOT BE THE BEST USE OF INVENTORY. THE REPAIR COST $1940 SINCE MY EMISSION WARRANTY WAS BARELY OUT DUE TO THE 829 MILES. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING WAY BEFORE THE 80,000 MILES, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT HAVING EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN SHOULD BE AN EXCEPTION TO THE WARRANTY, ESPECIALLY WHEN KIDS LIVES ARE INVOLVED. ALSO, BY HAVING THIS PART ON HAND TELLS ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH MY SUBARU.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2020
Jun 2020

RAPID ACCELERATION - THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO OUR SUBARU. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. WE DROVE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND SAT THEIR TALKING WHILE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENED FOR A FEW MINUTES. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. SUDDENLY THE OUTBACK SURGED FORWARD AT A RAPID SPEED. THANK GOD FOR SUBARU EMERGENCY ACCIDENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHIN INCHES OF OUR BACK GARAGE WALL.I REMEMBER MY WIFE SAYING "WHAT JUST HAPPENED? I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WE WERE JUST SITTING THEIR MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT JUST LUNGED AHEAD RAPIDLY. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN STEP ON THE BRAKE. RAPID ACCELERATION #2 - THIS HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO AND I WAS DRIVING WITH NO PASSENGERS. I WAS PULLING INTO OUR GARAGE AND AGAIN THE OUTBACK RAPIDLY SURGED AHEAD. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES TO STOP AND HAD NO RESPONSE. THE EYE SIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM KICKED IN AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH A PANIC STOP. I AM POSITIVE IN BOTH CASES WE WERE BRAKING THE VEHICLE AND OUR FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THEY WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED AND I DON'T WANT TO EVER SEE THIS HAPPEN. I FEEL SUBRAU SHOULD SUPPLY ME WITH A FREE LOANER CAR UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. I KNOW THEIR IS NO SAFETY RECALL ISSUED AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2020
Mar 2020

CHILD LOCK ON BACK PASSENGER DOOR IS LOCKED DOWN SO YOU CAN'T GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE OPENS. I NEVER USED THE CHILD LOCK AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT DOWN. TOOK IT TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD $350 TO FIX IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. SEEN MANY POSTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Dec 2019

I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY COMING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE TUNED DOWN. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2017 FROM HONDA NORTH.IN BUTLER PA. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEN AND HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. THIS PAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. LRECENTLY I ALMOST A SMALL CHILD AND HIS MOM PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I HAVE GRAND CHILDREN THAT I TAKE WITH ME DAILY AND I AM SCARED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THEY ARE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU PAYS ATTENTION TO THIS ON GOING PROBLEM. I EXPECT TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON BEFORE THIS CAR ACCELERATES AND KILLS SOMEONE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2018
Oct 2019

NAVIGATION SCREEN REFLECTS SUNLIGHT SO YOU CAN'T SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION. MAP SHOWS ZIGZAG PATTERN. TRIED CHANGING CONTRAST, DIDN'T HELP. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP SAID THE NEW SUBARU NAVIGATION SCREEN IS FINE,I DON'T NEED A NEW CAR!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2015
Sep 2019

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2015 OUTBACK CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE BOTTOM UPWARD THEN TURNED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE IN AN L SHAPE. TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY OF COURSE CLAIM THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN IMPACT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER ACTUALLY ARGUED WITH ME AND CLAIMED THAT YOU COULD FEEL A POINT OF IMPACT WHERE A ROCK "MUST HAVE HIT" AND BLAMED THAT FOR THE CRACK. I CAN FEEL NO POINT OF IMPACT AND WAS IN FACT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE CRACK HAPPENED AND KNOW THAT NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. DESPITE THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THESE WINDSHIELDS, SUBARU IS STILL NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT AFTER THEIR "CLOSE AND CAREFUL" INSPECTION THAT TOOK ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THEY CLEARLY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE WINDSHIELDS AND ARE DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT, EVEN REFUSING TO REPLACE ONES THAT DO HAVE A PROBLEM. BESIDES BEING A BAD BUSINESS MOVE FOR SUBARU, THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CONSUMERS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2019
Jul 2019

MY DASHBOARD RELEASES VOCS SO MUCH I CANNOT KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAN AND THE SUN BLINDS MY VIEW BECAUSE OF IT. I CLEAN ALMOST EVERY DAY BUT THE SMOG JUST GETS MOVED AROUND AND WILL NOT CLEAN. IT IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. THEY NEED TO MANUFACTURER THE DASH WITH A SAFER MATERIAL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2019
Jun 2019

BATTERY IS DEAD AFTER ONE DAY OF COMPLETE BATTERY CHARGE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A REPLACEMENT BATTERY. THE ORIGINAL SUBARU BATTERY FAILED IN SAME MANNER. CHARGING SYSTEM IS PUTTING OUT 13.85 VOLTS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. BATTERY VOLTAGE AFTER TRICKLE CHARGE 12.87. STATIONARY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Subaru Outback has 66 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.