NHTSA Safety Recalls
2015 Subaru Outback Recalls
The 2015 Subaru Outback has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file. Recall repairs are always free, whatever the car's age or mileage.
A recall covers a range of VINs, not every Subaru Outback built. Check your own 17-character VIN before assuming yours is affected.
5 recalls on the 2015 Subaru Outback
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
NHTSA 16V251000- The defect
- 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."
- The 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.
- The 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.
TRAILER HITCHES
NHTSA 14V577000- The defect
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
STEERING:COLUMN
NHTSA 16V292000- The defect
- 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.
- The risk
- The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Reported November 5, 2016 by Subaru of America, Inc.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
NHTSA 15V366000- The defect
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Reported December 6, 2015 by Subaru of America, Inc.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
NHTSA 15V502000- The defect
- 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.
- The risk
- If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Reported October 8, 2015 by Subaru of America, Inc.
Checking your own car
A recall applies to a range of VINs, not to every 2015 Subaru Outback built. To confirm whether yours is affected, find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard or door jamb and enter it in NHTSA's official lookup.
Repairs for safety recalls are free and never expire. A dealer cannot charge you, and cannot refuse on the grounds that the car is old or out of warranty. If one does, call the NHTSA hotline on 1-888-327-4236.