Model year 2015 · Subaru

2015 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2015 Subaru Outback — 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The most recent was reported on May 11, 2016. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: OUTBACK.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2015 Subaru Outback, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
16V292000	May 11, 2016	Steering › ColumnDo not drive
16V251000	April 27, 2016	Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
15V502000	August 10, 2015	Power Train › Automatic Transmission
15V366000	June 12, 2015	Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
14V577000	September 19, 2014	Trailer Hitches

Systems involved: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (1) · Exterior Lighting (1) · Forward Collision Avoidance (1) · Power Train (1) · Steering (1) · Trailer Hitches (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 16V292000Manufacturer no. WTD-65

Steering › Column

Do not drive advisory

Report received by NHTSA: May 11, 2016
Owner notification: May 13, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 48,819 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2015 Subaru Outback: April 14, 2015 – April 14, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: OUTBACK

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Safety risk

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V292000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V251000Manufacturer no. WTC-64

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Report received by NHTSA: April 27, 2016
Owner notification: May 20, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 766 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2015 Subaru Outback: July 20, 2015 – July 20, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: OUTBACK

Defect summary

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."

Safety 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.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V251000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 15V502000Manufacturer no. WQU-56

Power Train › Automatic Transmission

Report received by NHTSA: August 10, 2015
Owner notification: August 28, 2015
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 2,893 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2015 Subaru Outback: July 3, 2015 – July 27, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: OUTBACK

Components: Power Train › Automatic Transmission; Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Defect summary

Subaru 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 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Safety risk

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 15V502000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 15V366000Manufacturer no. WQS-54

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

Report received by NHTSA: June 12, 2015
Owner notification: July 20, 2015
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 71,710 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2015 Subaru Outback: February 24, 2014 – April 16, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: OUTBACK

Components: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch; Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Safety risk

If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 15V366000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 14V577000Manufacturer no. WQN-50

Trailer Hitches

Report received by NHTSA: September 19, 2014
Owner notification: October 7, 2014
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 56 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2015 Subaru Outback: January 22, 2014 – August 18, 2014
Model names in the NHTSA record: OUTBACK

Defect summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.

Safety risk

The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 14V577000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: May 11, 2016.