10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,195 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Subaru Outback engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Jun 042020

Outback

  • 25,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to austin Subaru (8100 burnet road, austin, tx 78757 phone (512)220-0930) to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V502000 (power train), the mechanic found an internal oil leak and needed to remove the engine to be able to correct the engine oil leak. The contact stated that the dealer replaced engine rings, cylinder heads, and installed a longer lasting silicone sealer. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was out of warranty however, the manufacturer repaired the engine oil leak failure as a good will offer. The failure mileage was 25,600.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #22

Dec 012019

Outback

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- North Canton, OH, USA

problem #21

Nov 132019

Outback

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate, lost power, and the check automotive transmission and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the continuously variable transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to Subaru of puyallup (720 river rd, puyallup, wa 98371, (253) 286-5900) where it was diagnosed that the incorrect transmission fluid was placed in the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 150070620183. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Dupont, WA, USA

problem #20

Aug 082019

Outback

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle would not start. After jumping the battery vehicle started, aaa performed roadside testing and determined the battery and alternator are working properly and are sufficiently charged. Car would not start for unexplained reasons. Previous service history leads me to believe there is an ongoing electrical issue with this vehicle. Previously the airbag light would frequently illuminate. Dealership stated it was due to electrical interference and that nothing was wrong.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

problem #19

Mar 012018

Outback

  • 59,000 miles
Excessive exhaust entering passenger cabin anytime the engine is running because of crack in flex pipe on the exhaust manifold that occurred with less than 60K miles.

- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA

problem #18

Jan 172018

Outback

  • 30,000 miles
The car would stall when coasting to a stop light or stop sign a few times and have been back to the dealer and can't replicated the problem. This is a dangerous situation and can cause an unsafe and huge accident with my family. The car would die while in drive and sometimes can't be restarted. It's happening again and afraid to drive the car since the dealer will say nothing is wrong with the car. It looks like it's related to idle being low or the cvt acting up when taking the foot off the gas pedal and try to accelerate from a dead stop or coasting to a stop. This happened a few times during factory warranty window.

- Millbrae, CA, USA

problem #17

Jul 012018

Outback

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Please read upload documents. My 2015 Subaru Outback began showing signs of excessive oil consumption in the summer 2018. Apparently this was a known problem with Subaru and class action lawsuit was filed against Subaru for models made prior to 2015. My vehicle failed a oil consumption test in the fall of 2018. I was told by white bear Subaru if the vehicle failed an oil consumption test Subaru of America would pay to have a new short block installed due to this ongoing engine defect. However, Subaru of America refused to pay the full amount to have a new short block installed as even though my car was make in 2014 it is technically a 2015 that the class action lawsuit only protected consumers of models prior to 2015. Also, in the fall of 2018 the interior of this vehicle began to have a exhaust smell and was making me feel sick. They determined that part of the exhaust system was broken but told me not to have it fixed before the new short block was installed and the exhaust system would just become clogged with the oil the car was burning. I went ahead had had the repair done anyway as the exhaust air was terrible.

- Shoreview, MN, USA

problem #16

Nov 162018

Outback

  • 65,000 miles
Exhaust system issue. Exhaust mainfold leak at catalyst converter. For our Outback we noticed a significant levels of exhaust fumes in passenger cabin. They were no indication of failure of exhaust system or catalyst converter on the car. But we are getting some much fumes smell when we stopped at the traffic signal or parking lot. It all most made us sick. Luckily I got it checked at the service center and they find the leak. This is potentially a very risky thing for people who don't notice the smell might get slow poisoned with carbon monoxide or other elements in exhaust fumes. There may be direct injury from this issue but as I said I was almost got sick because of fumes. For people with pzev vehicle, the exhaust system is covered under warranty. Please bring this issue with manufacturing. For people out there if you notice a loud exhaust note at start of your vehicle or small rattling noise when we you accelerate after a complete stop, it might be your exhaust system, please get it checked as soon as possible. Ps attached is the diagnosis report from dealer service center be safe out there !! thank you.

- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA

problem #15

Mar 022018

Outback

  • 45,110 miles
Excessive oil consumption between oil change. When the vehicle reached to 45,000 miles, the low oil light is on less than 5,000 miles between oil change. If the driver ignore the warning and not add oil to the vehicle, the engine can be damages. A three years old vehicle with 45,000 miles should not have to change oil freqently. I spoke to the dealer, they said the oil level is normal, and oil consumption test is not needed. When I took the car to a car repair shop, they told me the oil level is lower than standard between oil change. I also contacted Subaru North America, was told that my vehicle is not covered by the class action settlement, and only a very small number of customers have identified a concern on this issue.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 062018

Outback

  • 47,000 miles
We noticed an exhaust leak (noisy) on our 2015 Outback, upon inspection by the dealer they determined the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, they initially rejected our warantee claim because Subaru authorizes replacement only if a mil is present. After some discussion the dealer (Subaru) agreed to replace as "good will". we live in the northeast and it seems road salt and sand cause the converter to rust prematurely, the location of the converted is aft of the exhaust manifold and at the base of the passenger compartment, there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with these types of leaks, and it is unheard of that these parts fail after three years.

- South Easton, MA, USA

problem #13

Jun 082018

Outback

  • 44,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While parking the car at an open parking lot in shopping center at low speed (<5mph) the engine surged suddenly and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. It required tremendous pressure on brake to eventually override the engine.

- Cliffside Park, NJ, USA

problem #12

May 132016

Outback

  • 30,000 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. Subaru needs to look into this issue because this problem only happens after it rains/snows and cannot be replicated when the car is brought to the dealership. Therefore, it is hard to have this issue fixed.

- Fresh Meadows, NY, USA

problem #11

Aug 042017

Outback 4-cyl

  • miles
2015 Subaru Outback. Consumer writes in regards to rough idling in vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle annoyingly vibrated when the air conditioner was on.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 212017

Outback

  • 33,350 miles
Very difficult to start-problem with push to start button and engine not getting fuel. Vehicle stationary in parking lot. Have had to get jump start 3 times

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #9

Apr 022015

Outback

  • 100 miles
I have a surging issue with my 3.6R after cold starts. Upon start-up, the idle will be ~1800 and when I put the car in drive, it will drop to 800-1000rpm. Then, as I slowly pull into the garage, or pull into a stopped line of traffic, the engine will surge back to the higher RPM, causing the vehicle to push through the brakes. I have had this return to high idle occur after I have come to a complete stop, causing the vehicle to push through the applied brakes and requiring additional brake pressure to stop the vehicle. I have also had it occur when slowly rolling forward. I believe this is an unsafe situation that could result in damaged property and/or injury. I see that there is at least one additional NHTSA complaint for this issue, which Subaru deemed "normal" operation. I did contact my dealer requesting a firmware update, if one was available, and they said there was not one. I have owned this vehicle since 3/23/2015 and this issue has occurred since new, but it more common in colder weather. I have 18K miles on the vehicle.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #8

Sep 092015

Outback

  • 4,000 miles
The Subaru Outback 2015 was parked in a lot after a 12 minute drive and burst into flames. It was purchased in February 2015 and was not yet due for servicing when the event happened. The Subaru Outback manufactured from July 3rd-27th 2015 has been recalled due to "possibility of fire due to a transmission fluid leak". I believe the same thing occurred with my car and I am concerned that if the model is not recalled someone will get badly injured or killed due to fire.

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #7

Oct 252014

Outback

  • 100 miles
The vehicle is equipped with the 3.6R engine and a continuously variable transmission. When descending a long hill in a fixed gear ratio (usually 2nd or 3rd) the vehicle slows normally until the RPM reaches approximately 1200 RPM at which point the vehicle suddenly begins accelerating until the RPM reaches approximately 2500 RPM at which point the process repeats. I observe the "mpg" suddenly drop at the same time to around 25 mpg when the vehicle accelerates. It rises back to "99" when it slows. Note that during the entire sequence my foot is off the accelerator pedal and the throttle angle display shows zero. I find this very hazardous as the unintended acceleration can occur when entering or within a turn creating a crash risk. Upadte 9/15/15

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #6

Oct 162014

Outback 6-cyl

  • 25 miles
When the engine is cold, the idle speed is 1600 RPM when started. When placed in reverse or drive it reduces to a nominal 900-1000 RPM. When the vehicle starts to move it suddenly drops to 600 RPM. When braking to a stop after moving vehicle the RPM suddenly jumps to 900-1000 RPM just before vehicle halts. This causes sudden unexpected acceleration of the vehicle and presents a safety hazard. I believe this is due to an engine/transmission software issue. This has occurred since new. Updated 9/15/15 updated 11/07/2017

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 042015

Outback

  • 1,537 miles
Unintended acceleration. When driving at low speeds--what would traditionally be 1st and 2nd gear (the car has a continually variable transmission)--and while keeping constant pressure on the gas pedal, the transmission changes the acceleration of the vehicle on its own in a process that feels like it can't find the right "gear", and it provides a "jerking" feeling (usually only a couple of "jerks"). yet the transmission is not just finding the right gear for a specific constant speed; as it shifts around, the acceleration changes and has, with constant pressure on the pedal, accelerated faster on its own. I have never felt less control of a vehicle as I have with this one.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

problem #4

Jan 272015

Outback

  • 30 miles
Engine idle is erratic when cold. Backing out of the garage in the morning the engine surges 3-400 RPM making the car jerk faster and slower. This is with only the brake pedal pressed. I have a second identical car that does not have the problem. Temperature is in the 40's. when the engine slows, you have to ease off the brake, them it suddenly speeds up 50% and the car takes off. The cycle repeats for a few minutes in the mornings. The problem is very repeatable -the same thing every morning.

- Garden City, ID, USA

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