2015 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2015

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2015 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (13%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (39%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (16%)

Other (14%)

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Chart based on 181 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2015 Subaru Outback.

2015 Subaru Outback electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (5%)

$100 - $499 (10%)

< $100 (85%)

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Chart based on 40 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2015 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

6400 mi NAV was spontaneously going off-course. Calls through Bluetooth would mute music after call finished, until head unit power-cycled. Software of head unit was updated. 
61479 mi

$300
Battery replacement. 

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2015 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

64000 mi Passenger side AC/heater blower motor was replaced 
2000 mi Navigation not reading correct position 
5000 mi Navigation system updated and GPS Antenna replaced but still same problem as new of Navigation readings off by 400 ft. 
11400 mi Navigation not accurate; sim/mini card replaced but still off at home address by 300 ft. Repair still not complete. Subaru engineers working on a solution. 
12000 mi Navigation continues to not be accurate finding locations. Was told software will not be updated until May, 2016. 
21000 mi Navigation system still not accurate and update still not available. 
10700 mi Bluetooth would not stay connected to phone 
18000 mi Firmware update to Audio/NAV system to fix bluetooth issues. Wife's Android phone would often drop its bluetooth connection to the car. With this firmware update, the bluetooth connection issues have stopped. UPDATE - bluetooth issues continued. 
23000 mi Entertainment/Nav head unit display became unreadable. Dealer replaced. 
47740 mi Automatic wipers sensor leaking. Sensor replaced under warranty, no charge 
105400 mi

A $200
Battery failed, dealer had noted low battery performance at previous service. This was the original battery so no complaints at a six year service life. 
9500 mi replaced completely dead battery 
12000 mi battery was replaced again for going dead 
14500 mi [battery] Replaced yet again under warranty. 
16000 mi battery replaced once again less than a year after it was replaced the last time (but not until after I was incredibly inconvenienced) 
18000 mi

US $250
had completely leaked out 
16740 mi

C $650
Battery died; needed replacement. 
58000 mi Navigation screen replacement to address visibility issue (dark bars would appear on the navigation screen under certain conditions making it unreadable). 
16000 mi A simple loose wire to the driver window switch was discovered partly secured which caused intermittant window operation failure. 

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2015 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

22000 mi It took 2 trips before the dealer recognized thet the problem was a defective battery.They replaced it for free despite the fact was about 3 weeks out of warranty. 
11000 mi Blind spot detectors needed to be replace 
35000 mi The automatic lane change sensor would self-defeat intermittently. We were told there were no software problems and likely due to the sensors covered with moisture during the wet conditions at the time. Has not replicated since it has been dry. 
40000 mi An annoying intermittent tone that interrupted the audio would not stop. After several weeks trying to hope it would stop or figure it out, we took it to the Subaru dealer. It took them several hours to diagnose it, then releasing it to us to drive home. They said there was a setting in the navigation we were unaware of that was causing the noise. We were not a block down the street leaving the dealership that we heard the noise again, as before. So we took it right back. After a few more hours, they said they did a software update. The display has changed some as a result. The noise is gone. There was no recall nor bulletin regarding this issue. 
35000 mi The automatic tailgate stopped working. It wouldn't work with the remote, the inside button, or the button on the tailgate. It stopped working for 5 days. When I went to take it into the shop, it started working. They said it wasn't a problem. I decided between battery death and the ghost in the tailgate, to trade the car in. Subaru was NOT interested in determining the problem, AND my warranty was expiring and they didn't want to note these problems for later repair. Bye Buy Subaru. Bought a Toyota. 
34100 mi Have had some problems with the head unit. Tried asking for a firmware update if available. Time will tell if it helpes with anything. The headunit is rather slow and bluetooth connectivity is poor. Definatey a weak point of the car in terms of user experience. No updates for carplay it seems. 
27900 mi Battery fully drained without an explanation. Had to jump start the car. 
33000 mi Replaced noisy rear hatch motor 
14500 mi OEM battery failed to hold enough charge to start the car 
Passenger window would not operate from the drivers side, when we got to the dealer it worked. 
55000 mi

US $12
Clogged AC tube causing water to accumulate in passenger footwell. 
83000 mi

US $90
one of the two horns quit working, wire came detached, reattached wire and checked 
29000 mi Replaced motor that opens rear hatch 
45000 mi

US $740
battery failed (3rd battery in 45,000). transmission would not shift out of low. subaru in there wisdom has chosen a 330 CCA battery as OEM equipment with all the safety equipment this car has and computers that never shut off its to much for the OEM equipment plus the cold weather of south dakota its to much of strain on the battery Thus 3rd replacement battery but now I have replace with the biggest battery that will fit in-- now has a 550 CCA will see if that helps with longevity but all the system codes had to be reset but transmission failed to shift still.  dealer found transmission harness was damaged by possible rodents. - 
34000 mi Turn signal stopped making noise when indicating. Also eyesight system no longer made noise. No blind spot warning noise. No collision avoidance noise etc 
24222 mi main head unit (stereo/nav) replaced under warranty 
48000 mi

US $60
Front passenger window came off of drive track. Dealer took apart door trim to reattach window to track. 
17100 mi Intermittently failed to start. 
21700 mi touche screen was replaced. 
18000 mi 12V accessory outlet wasn't working. Dealer found and fixed the problem, although I don't know what the cause of the problem was. Replaced a fuse. 
31000 mi Rear hatch motor was replaced. Blind spot radar sensors replaced. Battery was weak from the day the car was purchased new. It eventually failed to start the car. 
37000 mi There is a short somewhere that will drain the battery in a few hours. Car is currently back in the shop while they attempt to diagnose and fix the problem further. EDIT: Turned out to be a faulty aftermarket OBD2 bluetooth module for scanning error codes. 
13000 mi Rear hatch would not open and close properly. They reinitialized it and it seems a better but it's sometimes unpredictable. 
4900 mi Computer reset after battery ran down. Rear gate wouldn't work. 
17500 mi My car would not start if the engine was hot. The Subaru mechanic determined the battery was not charging under full load. 
32000 mi Recall: ignition relay 
32000 mi Rear power lift gate does not always open by following directions. Intermittent problem that could not be reproduced by the dealer. Provided the dealer with a video of the malfunction. Will continue to monitor and return to the dealer. 
10000 mi Dead battery. Towed to dealer. Charged battery and checked system. Don't know cause. 
11160 mi the back hatch wouldn't open correctly. When the button was pushed it would open 6 inches and close. The problem was intermittent. I am going to have to take the car back again 
13000 mi The back hatch will only open about 6 inches then reverse it's self and close. Naturally this problem is intermittent. They tried greasing the hinges and struts. Now they have ordered a new motor for the hatch.It should be available soon 
8000 mi

US $300
Replaced the tiny original battery with a better one, lasted only 1.5 years. 
The switch that controls the brake warning lights failed. 
52000 mi Motor on rear lift gate had to be replaced. 
6500 mi subaru rear vehicle detection system nonfunctional. is rear-facing radar units to detect cars in blind spots. dealer could not repair, waited 1 day for subaru engineer to return call and assist.unknown cause, "software calibration"to fix. 
22000 mi Subaru rear vehicle detection system went offline for 2nd time. This is rear-facing radar units to detect cars in blind spots. Subaru TSB 07-90-15, released 04/22/2015, calls for replacement of both radar units with new model. Dealer did this. Of note, the first time same problem occurred, dealer "reprogrammed" unit even though service bulletin had been released mandating new parts. If you have this problem, look up TSB and have dealer repair at no charge. 
35800 mi Vehicle wouldn't start. Jumped car and drove to dealer. Replaced battery. 
6000 mi Repair keyless ignition system which was causing battery to go dead 
12000 mi Passenger window switch, driver side, stopped functioning. 
10000 mi Navigation system malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. 
22400 mi

US $80
Battery charge was low, and replaced. 
14000 mi Rear lift gate (automatic) does not always open when rear release button is pressed Note: Dealer indicated that if the lift gate button is held too long the door switches to manual mode (which could explain why this is happening). He said just to lightly and quickly touch the button to open the back lift door. 

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2015 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

7360 mi Dead battery. Replaced under warranty. 
6200 mi The GPS voice and the car's voice command systems only work occasionally. The dealer reprogrammed both chips but this didn't solve the problems. I will have to go back. 
12400 mi The dealer downloaded a software or firmware update and fixed the problem. 
22000 mi One battery cell dead. Battery replaced under warranty with a better one. 
34844 mi Head firmware / software update 

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2015 Subaru Outback Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2015 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.