2015 Subaru Outback Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 7%of 510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Subaru Outback, 7% of the 510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Intermittently the car does not respond when the accelerator is depressed. I am told by the dealership that this is a common problem with the CVT transmission. This is a major safety issue as I have almost been hit on several occasions when turning left or merging into traffic. If the accelerator is depressed more and more, the car finally lurches forward (or backward if backing up) and the brakes have to be slammed on.”
NHTSA complaint #10970063, filed 2017-04, 26,000 miles“The transmission has been leaking since we purchased the car in jan 2015. One dealer told us there was no leak and finally decided it was the right differential and repaired that. The transmission still leaked. Took it back to dealer where bought, they found leak and said it was repaired but it is still dripping. Plan on taking it back to them next week. We keep clean cardboard under the area where the leak is to protect the garage floor and document the leak. Last repair july 25 of 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11019952, filed 2017-08, 30,000 miles“I was going 55 MPH on a straight flat surface when all of a sudden the RPM's shot up to around 4000 but the car was not accelerating. It was like it went into neutral. I pulled over to the side of the road and the car proceeded to die. Fortunately, it started right up and I drove home. I had a almost a full tank of gas. I had only driven it for 5 minutes as I was on my way home from work. I just had the oil/filter changed not even 2 months ago. I have 54,000 dealer serviced miles on the car. It was 86 degrees out. 2015 Subaru Outback premium 2.5”
NHTSA complaint #11348698, filed 2020-08, 2 miles“At 65000 miles I had to replace a wheel bearing. I have never had a vehicle need a wheel bearing with this low millage. I am told others have had the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11243831, filed 2019-08, 65,000 miles“After 2 years of ownership on my brand new Subaru Outback 2015, I have noticed a loud squeaky sound coming from the engine when I start my car after it rained/snowed. The sound would go away after a few minutes, however, it didn't seem normal. I took the car to the dealership to have it checked out. The dealership told me that nothing is wrong and it is perfectly fine. However, the squeaky noise still occurs after rain/snow. It seems to me that water is leaking into a belt when it's not suppose to and it is causing the noise when the engine is started. …”
NHTSA complaint #11096820, filed 2018-05, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July…Covers: Subaru Outback 2015–2016, Legacy 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 6% |
| 2022 | 18 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 48 | 5% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% |
| 2013 | 60 | 20% |
| 2012 | 108 | 37% |
| 2011 | 216 | 33% |
| 2010 | 94 | 26% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 17 | 6% |
| 2004 | 10 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 14% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% |
| 1999 | 29 | 26% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2015 Subaru Outback
143 complaintsElectrical system
127 complaintsOther or unknown
109 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsWheels
8 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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