2015 Subaru Outback Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2015 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Projector beam headlights with sharp cut off..... Low beam lights are bright and great on level straight road at moderate speeds, deviate from that and it is dangerous. Need further penetration for high speed driving.. Going downhill or on any slope and around curves limited visibility;;; . Downhill freeway cloverleaf on ramp, impossible to negotiate safely with low beam.. Depth of field 20 to 25 feet, extremely dangerous. Lights just cut off right in front of you. Have to turn on high beam to see... …”
NHTSA complaint #10681200, filed 2015-02, 250 miles“Tapped the accelerator. The car suddenly lurched backward. I put it in neutral and hit the brakes. Nothing happened.I didnt want to hit there garage or my son in laws car so I swerved to the right. I hit the brakes and again nothing happened. The car hit the neighbor bush and eventually came to rest when it hit the neighbors honda right door. I then put it drive and pulled back onto my daughters driveways and had a difficult time stopping the vehicle. It did approx. $2200 damage to my Subaru Outback sending it to the collision shop for two weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11387902, filed 2021-01“Repeated dead batteries. Replaced OEM battery in year 2, new battery also comes up dead regularly. There is clearly a parasitic battery drain happening. Burning oil, this car burns more oil than any car I have ever owned. Subaru claims it is within specification, but their specification is 1 quart between changes, this is a ridiculous claim in 2021. Heat shield and exhaust noise. Always a new noise or exhaust leak. Lights are not adequate for country driving, it is dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11443769, filed 2021-12“2015 Subaru Outback. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle tail light issues. Consumer has previous complaint with a different vehicle listed in artemis. The consumer noticed while driving in the snow, the heat from the tail lights was not sufficient enough to keep snow from accumulating on the tail lamp.”
NHTSA complaint #10689361, filed 2015-03Related recalls
- 15V366000Jun 12, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles…Covers: Subaru Outback 2015, Legacy 2015, Impreza 2015 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 16 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 3% |
| 2013 | 8 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 6% |
| 2011 | 117 | 18% |
| 2010 | 35 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 7% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 30 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2015 Subaru Outback
143 complaintsElectrical system
127 complaintsOther or unknown
109 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsWheels
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology