2015 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report windshield cracks that appear without an obvious impact, frequently at the base of the glass near the wiper heater, and repeated battery or no-start problems where the battery is replaced more than once. A smaller but consistent group describes exhaust smell in the cabin from a cracked exhaust component, and some describe transmission or unintended-acceleration behavior. Many of the visibility and battery reports arrive within the first 25,000-35,000 miles.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield cracks without impact

   • 154 complaints (30%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (139 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $625 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe a crack appearing at the bottom of the windshield, often on the passenger side near the wiper heater area, and spreading across the glass within minutes or a day. Many report the car was parked, that no stone or impact mark was found, and that the crack showed up in cold weather or after the windshield heater was switched on. Several owners say the dealer attributed the crack to a tiny chip or declined warranty coverage; a few report partial coverage and a repeat crack after replacement. Commonly reported between roughly 18,000 and 90,000 miles, often in cold weather or when parked overnight.

   What to check: Inspect the lower edge of the windshield closely for existing cracks or repairs and ask whether the glass has been replaced. Note that a crack starting at the wiper heater area is a pattern owners describe.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car was parked in my driveway and developed a crack in the front windshield. No impact mark or anything. Cracked in the lower passenger side windshield like all 2015 and newer Subaru outbacks apparently do. There are numerous complaints online with people detailing the exact same issue yet no recall yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #11337063, filed 2020-07, 44,000 miles

   “Windshield cracked starting from windshield wiper heater location on passenger side up and over to middle of windshield approximately 2 .5 feet in length. This happened with the so called improved windshield from Subaru. The vehicle was stationary , no stone chip/impact damage noted. At the time when I turned on the windshield heat I heard a crack. The weather outside was cold about 40 f.the temp inside the car was warm. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11355085, filed 2020-09, 53,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery drains and repeated no-starts

   • 102 complaints (20%)
   • median 34,500 mi at 4.7 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe the battery going flat overnight or after the car sits, leaving them needing a jump start, sometimes with several replacements in a few years. Some say the dealer installed a larger battery or performed a software update, and that the problem returned later. A few complaints mention the charging system cycling the alternator or an intermittent electrical shutdown. Reported from about 18,000 to 90,000 miles, often after the car sits unused or is used mainly for short trips.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask how old the battery is and whether it has been replaced more than once, and have the charging system and any parasitic draw checked. A service bulletin describes a diagnostic procedure for battery drain with the ignition off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Battery suddenly went dead shortly after driving when it should be charged. After investigating, I found that the ecu cycles the alternator off and on to try to increase fuel mileage. This has twice resulted in battery failure, not starting and leaving me stranded. I've had to buy new batteries twice in five years.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352390, filed 2020-08, 50,000 miles

   “I have had to replace my stock Subaru battery from the dealer now four times. I drive it for work everyday and every so often it will not start up one morning. I do not leave my lights on, dome lights, or any other electrical components. It was stationary and would always happen the next morning, the battery would be drained and the dealership would replace just the battery as their fix. Months later, it would only happen again on a brand new battery from the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11337584, filed 2020-07, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Exhaust smell in cabin from cracked exhaust parts

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe exhaust fumes entering the cabin, especially when stopped or idling, along with growing exhaust noise from the front of the car. Several owners say a cracked exhaust pipe, manifold or catalytic converter was eventually found, sometimes only after repeat visits where no problem was found. Some mention a prior service program or recall repair for an exhaust pipe crack, and that further repairs were then quoted at owner expense. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 135,000 miles, noticeable at stops and low speeds.

   What to check: With the engine running and the car stationary, listen for exhaust noise up front and check for fumes in the cabin. Ask whether the exhaust pipe service program repair was completed and whether the manifold or catalytic converter has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11298078, filed 2020-01, 80,829 miles

   “Received Subaru recall (wuj-95) on aug,3.2020 pertaining to exhaust pipe bellow failure. The recall includes replacement of the exhaust y-pipe that is installed from engine to tale pipe. This exhaust pipe in my understanding was installed under a stress manufacturing process where the pipe and fastener system has to be forced in to install. This puts excess stress on the bellows and caused failure. My question is why did Subaru wait five years to notify the consumer and issue a recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11349548, filed 2020-08, 33,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or braking at low speed

   • 77 complaints (15%)
   • median 25,500 mi at 2.6 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   A group of complaints describes the car surging forward at low speed, such as pulling into a driveway or parking space, occasionally with the brake applied. Some owners report that the dealer found no fault or described the behavior as normal. Others describe hard automatic braking with nothing in front of the car, or the EyeSight system dropping out while driving. Reported from about 30,000 to 70,000 miles, typically at low speed in parking or driveway situations.

   Recall 15V366000

   What to check: Ask whether any unintended acceleration or automatic braking events were reported and whether the forward-collision system has been inspected. A recall addresses the crash-imminent braking system on vehicles built in a specific window.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317168, filed 2020-03, 59,000 miles

   “My 2015 Subaru Outback -- have experienced sudden and unintended acceleration. I've mentioned this to the stevens creek san jose dealership when taking my car for maintenance, but they said the behavior is as intended.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361103, filed 2020-09, 55,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT hesitation, bucking or loss of drive

   • 41 complaints (8%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe the car bucking under light acceleration, revving without moving, or briefly losing drive when pulling away from a stop or turning. Some say the dealer could not reproduce the problem at first, while others were told the CVT had an internal failure and received a large repair estimate after the extended transmission warranty mileage had passed. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 150,000 miles, often under light throttle from a stop.

   Recall 15V5020003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about CVT fluid service history and whether the transmission has shown shuddering or delayed engagement. Service bulletins describe an updated valve body design for durability; a recall for a driveshaft seal leak is a separate item.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366591, filed 2020-10, 88,000 miles

   “I took the car into paul moak Subaru on 10/14. The car was bucking under light acceleration. When pulling thru a stop light, or moving from a stopped position, the car kicks back and forth and I don't know if its going to keep going or stall. No check engine light. Paul moak Subaru says this is due to an internal failure of the CVT transmission and the repair estimate is $9,319.59. This is almost the same as what I owe on the car. I knew of the extended warranty Subaru provided for the transmission but I'm outside the mileage portion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366919, filed 2020-10, 150,450 miles

Buying note. Check the windshield for existing cracks or prior replacement and ask about battery replacement history and exhaust work before buying. Review the open recalls by VIN and request service records for transmission and exhaust repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.