Is the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2015 Subaru OUTBACK has 638 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (144 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (124 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (114 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), TRAILER HITCHES, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, STEERING:COLUMN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2015 Subaru OUTBACK gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,375/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Subaru OUTBACK has 638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is visibility problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: this car has a screen in the dashboard that controls the stereo, phone, and other functions. it has a very reflective glassy finish. the screen is not surrounded by a hood of any sort and it is titled at about a 50-degree angle. on other occasions, i have noticed that this screen reflects a lot of s. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 21 crash reports 19 injuries

638

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

144 complaints

23%

• THIS CAR HAS A SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS THE STEREO, PHONE, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. IT HAS A VERY REFLECTIVE GLASSY FINISH. THE SCREEN IS NOT SURROUNDED BY A HOOD OF ANY SORT AND IT IS TITLED AT ABOUT A 50-DEGREE ANGLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SCREEN REFLECTS A LOT OF S
• NOTICED AN 18 INCH CRACK IN MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD STARTING AT THE TOP UNDER THE HEATING ELEMENT TWO MONTHS AGO. WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK AND NO IMPACT SPOT FOUND. HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED THREE WEEKS AGO. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY, HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AND NOTICED A 12 INCH CRACK APPEAR
• WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK WITH NO NOTICEABLE IMPACT FROM DEBRIS. FIRST INCIDENT DECEMBER 1, 2014, WINDSHIELD REPLACED WITH IDENTICAL MODEL BY CARLEX (MINUS THE SUBARU OEM STICKER). THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS (DEVELOPED A CRACK WITH NO NOTICEABLE IMPACT) ON JANUAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“THIS CAR HAS A SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS THE STEREO, PHONE, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. IT HAS A VERY REFLECTIVE GLASSY FINISH. THE SCREEN IS NOT SURROUNDED BY A HOOD OF ANY SORT AND IT IS TITLED AT ABOUT A 50-DEGREE ANGLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SCREEN REFLECTS A LOT OF S”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 430 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 21K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

245

30-60K

100

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 126 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 85 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 62 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)27/04/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,375

Full coverage / month

$115

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1375

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2015 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 638 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: THIS CAR HAS A SCREEN IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS THE STEREO, PHONE, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. IT HAS A VERY REFLECTIVE GLASSY FINISH. THE SCREEN IS NOT SURROUNDED BY A HOOD OF ANY SORT AND IT IS TITLED AT ABOUT A 50-DEGREE ANGLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SCREEN REFLECTS A LOT OF S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: RED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. LOST ALL POWER/ DRIVE. NEEDED TO COAST TO BERM. WOULD RESTART, BUT DIE IMMEDIATELY. EVERYTHING WAS IMMOBILIZED. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE! OUR WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR- ENDED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)