2015 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 633 complaints
633
Total Complaints
20,000mi
Median Mileage
Visibility/Wiper
Top Issue
36
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
3,000
25th Percentile
20,000
Median Mileage
50,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Visibility/Wiper
130
Electrical System
117
Unknown Or Other
106
Engine
46
Power Train
37
Service Brakes
27
Vehicle Speed Control
26
Body
22
Fuel/Propulsion System
17
Steering
13
Severity Assessment
36
Crashes
7
Fires
30
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THERE IS A GLOSS FINISHED PLASTIC TOUCH PAD KIND OF COVER THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 6"X8". IT IS NOT ONLY THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BUT THE RADIO, FUEL INFORMATION, ETC. IT IS SLANTED AS PART OF THE FRONT DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, IT BOUNCES DIRECTLY ..."
"THERE IS A GLOSS FINISHED PLASTIC TOUCH PAD KIND OF COVER THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 6"X8". IT IS NOT ONLY THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BUT THE RADIO, FUEL INFORMATION, ETC. IT IS SLANTED AS PART OF THE FRONT DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, IT BOUNCES DIRECTLY ..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AS THE KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM DISABLED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CONNECTOR IN ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Visibility/Wiper
130 complaints
25th: 3,000 mi
Median: 9,000 mi
75th: 25,000 mi
Electrical System
117 complaints
25th: 3,175 mi
Median: 29,000 mi
75th: 50,750 mi
Unknown Or Other
106 complaints
25th: 6,058 mi
Median: 23,000 mi
75th: 43,250 mi
Engine
46 complaints
25th: 1,368 mi
Median: 44,000 mi
75th: 69,500 mi
Power Train
37 complaints
25th: 3,400 mi
Median: 30,000 mi
75th: 35,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 92
NY: 43
WA: 34
NJ: 28
VA: 27
IL: 26
MA: 26
PA: 24
OR: 22
MI: 22
Who Files Complaints?
1.9%
Original Owners
98.1%
Second+ Owners
Subaru Outback — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Campaign 16V251000 | 27/04/2016
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.
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.
Trailer Hitches
Campaign 14V577000 | 19/09/2014
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 situati
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
Driveshaft
Campaign 15V502000 | 10/08/2015
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
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.
Column
Campaign 16V292000 | 11/05/2016
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Crash Imminent Braking
Campaign 15V366000 | 12/06/2015
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.
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.
Maintain Visibility
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace wiper blades every 6-12 months
- Keep the washer fluid reservoir full — use winter-rated fluid in cold climates
- Clean the inside of the windshield quarterly to reduce glare
- Address windshield chips immediately — they spread with temperature changes
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28