2015 Subaru Outback other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Subaru's Starlink Radio has completely delaminated on the layer between the display and the digitizer, which does not allow the radio to be controlled in any way, shape, or form. This means that the touch screen is not working anymore, and because the radio is so delaminated, whenever the car is put into reverse during the daytime, the backup camera is nowhere near visible enough to be seen safely. The radio delaminated to the point where it was unusable after the 100k-mile warranty period. At the start of the issue, the radio developed a ghost touch on the bottom-left corner of the screen, and during a Bluetooth phone call, it would repeatedly hang up the phone, leading to distraction while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11756505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This is an odometer fraud situation. The car was reported at 187,062 with photo documentation on 4/17/2026 via a mechanics office. It was then reported at 104,332 during a CO Emissions Test inspection. I called to verify the mileage reported from the mechanics office and they sent me a photo from 4/17/2026 of the odometer reading 187,062. This car has been rolled back!

NHTSA complaint #11750069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My HORN only works if car is stopped steering wheel turned to the left. Subaru Dealer says it’s in the steering column mechanism that affects airbag and cruise control also. Says it will cost over $600 to repair. If it preventsthe airbag working, wouldn’t it be a car defect and considered dangerous?

NHTSA complaint #11641047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Exhaust manifold bellows crack Exhaust coming into car when idling

NHTSA complaint #11638265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My sunroof glass just shattered spontaneously while I was driving. Thankfully the door was closed or me and my daughter would have been showered by glass while in the road. Nothing hit the car , I just heard a loud bang over my heard and when I stopped to see what happened my sunroof was in pieces!

NHTSA complaint #11637190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A transmission that was replaced in July of 2023 went bad un December of 2024 and dealership won't give reasons why transmission went bad or what caused a almost brand new transmission with less than 50,000 miles on it went bad. They are demanding we pay $5000.00 dollars on a transmission that was replaced under the extended warranty on cvt transmission from subaru. Which also extends to the brand new transmission. They are demanding their loaner car back and refusing to honor extended warranty on new transmission which the gave us which is bad. They will not give us anything other than it is bad. No information what so ever is being given to my husband or I as to why, how or what happened. My car will not move unless it is pushed by someone. They are refusing to honor their recall warranty or provide a loaner while dealing with their corporate offices on this issue. This is after in the past 1 and a half years my car has been in their shop for well over 8 months and I am still making payments on this vehicle. They will not even provide paperwork on the issues with my vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11630731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11622000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11555701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11517034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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!

NHTSA complaint #11511045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving on 55mph road, sunroof suddenly shattered for no apparent reason (no sudden impact from rock or other debris), producing a loud bang, startling driver. Driver momentarily swerved due to being startled by noise from next to head before correcting. No other cars were around on the road at the time and driver is sure no rocks or other objects fell onto sunroof (covered by rooftop cargo box, no trees near street to drop debris). Pieces of glass went upwards and ended up on roof of vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11490479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11485718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11476779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car regularly drains the battery. We are the original owners and have had to purchase 3 car batteries thus far. The car does not provide any warning messages or report any issues. Every time the battery has been drained it happens without explanation, over a dozen times since we’ve owned the car. We’ve always had the batteries inspected, and they’ve been in good contention with life left in them, just drained, needing a recharge. Unfortunately, the car counties to drain the battery, leaving me stranded, including at night away from home. The details for the incident I will be providing below will be for the most recent, this morning.

NHTSA complaint #11451181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Outback 2015 Windshield cracked with no obvious reason even at about 30 mph.

NHTSA complaint #11445193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11444711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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).

NHTSA complaint #11437276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #11433007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11432937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Excessive battery drain from open back hatch while parked and engine off. Having my back liftgate open while my engine was off for a 30 minute period drained my battery so that I could not start my vehicle. Had not my friends been there to jump me I would have been without transportation miles from home. No warning light was given by the vehicle. Others with this vehicle have had similar issues and it is an easy issue to find complaints about. A service center has not been contacted yet but I plan on speaking with my dealership soon. This problem blindsided me completely.

NHTSA complaint #11424969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11418045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POOR BATTERY LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD CRACK SHOWED UP SUDDENLY VERY RECENTLY, RIGHT AFTER WE GOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOTIFICATION.THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11397639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE CORNER. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS AND BLIND SPOT WARNING STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON

NHTSA complaint #11376537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11365411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11363092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11355022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT). THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN SUDDENLY MOTIONLESS, ENGINE REVVED UP AT 3500 RPM BUT THE CVT REMAINED UNRESPONSIVE. PACED SHIFT GEAR TO PARK POSITION THEN TO DRIVE GEAR THEN THE VEHICLE MOVED-UP VERY SLOW THEN IT PULLED FORWARD TO A NORMAL DRIVEABLE CONDITION. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED IN 2017, 2018, 2019. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 2X TESTED THE VEHICLE BUT, NO PROBLEM FOUND AND NO MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE WAS RELEASE. SEVERAL SUBARU OWNERS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, ON 2013 - 2015 OUTBACK MODELS.THE BATTERY ON 2015 OUTBACK MODEL LIKE MINE, HAD REPLACED IN 2017 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY UP TO 3 - YEARS. LATELY, THE BATTERY DIED SEVERAL TIMES, TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER FOR TEST AND REPLACEMENT BUT, THE 3 - YEARS WARRANTY WAS OVER FROM ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASED. THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE APPLIED ON THE SECOND BATTERY REPLACEMENT THAT RUNS FOR THE NEXT 36 - MONTHS. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE VEHICLE HAS, TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER LAST JULY 2020, A SRVICE ADVISOR ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE DROVE FOR TESTING THEN CAME BACK WITH NOTHING WRONG ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PER MECHANIC ASSESSMENT. THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE WAS CRACKED AND IT WAS REPAIRED AS PART OF MANUFACTURER RECALLS. THERE ARE ISSUES ON THIS MODEL REFERRING TO THE CVT, BATTERY, INFOTAINMENT GOT FREEZED, NO DATA ON SCREEN, ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION TO FAST. THE MAIN ISSUE FOR ME IS THE "SAFETY ISSUE." WHICH IS THE TRANSMISSION. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN 2017, 2018, 2019.

NHTSA complaint #11354812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I CHANGE GEARS FROM P( PARKING) IN TO D(DRIVE) IT TAKE AROUND 2 SECONDS TO START THE CAR DRIVING I THINK THAT IS BAD FOR TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WITH TACHING SCREEN IT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY MANY TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING IN R(REARVERSE) AND THE GEAR LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD DO NOT TURN ON . THANKS

NHTSA complaint #11354571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSISTENT BATTERY ISSUES ON START UP; UPON A MECHANIC LOOKING AT BATTERY, THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED/OK - BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE CONNECTION ISSUE? IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS?

NHTSA complaint #11351517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.