repaired · 2017 Q3
Steering: column
Do not driveRisk. The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
2015 Subaru OutbackProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 510 owner complaints about the 2015 Subaru Outback, most often about the visibility/wiper. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-366 the manufacturer reports only 94% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 27, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2015 Subaru Outback has problems
510 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
130Visibility/wiper1 crash/fire/injury
127Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
47Engine5 crash/fire/injury
37Power train1 crash/fire/injury
33Structure2 crash/fire/injury
27Service brakes
26Vehicle speed control
18Fuel/propulsion system
14Air bags
8016 other systems10 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 130 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 127 | 3 |
| Engine | 47 | 5 |
| Power train | 37 | 1 |
| Structure | 33 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 1 |
| Air bags | 14 | 7 |
| 16 other systems | 80 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2015 Subaru Outback recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Brake lights: switch
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…
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2016 Q1
Trailer hitches
Risk. The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Mileage at failure
When do visibility/wiper problems start?
9kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 113 visibility/wiper complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
87under 30k miles113under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2015 vs. every other Outback year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Outback median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2015 Subaru Outback safety ratings
2015 Subaru Outback SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2015 Subaru Outback, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Outback owners report
Recent visibility/wiper complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Around 8 am on 1/4/2022, driving the car on I85 in Durham County, NC, at a normal highway speed, the sunroof glass shattered suddenly and without warning. The sunroof was fully closed at the time, but the inside cover was open. Shards of glass were sprayed within the cabin. This was a dangerous…
Subaru Outback windshield cracks again within 2 months after warranty replacement pursuant to windshield settlement agreement. The claimed enhanced windshield from Subaru is exposed to the issue reported from the windshield settlement agreement, and Subaru refused to provide warranty replacement to…
The windshield spontaneously cracked at the deicer area. The windshield is available for inspection. The crack has grown and is interfering with visibility. The crack in the deicer part of the windshield is easy to see. I have called and left messages about the cracked windshield for the Subaru…
Own a 2015 Outback?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.