NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Subaru Outback. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ORIGIN OF THE ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AS IT BEGAN TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,750.
UPON ENTRY OF VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY, I DISCOVERED A 5-6 IN. CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. I HAD NOT OBSERVED ANY IMPACTS WHILE DRIVING THE DAY PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. ALL OTHER AUTO GLASS ISSUES PREVIOUSLY WERE OBSERVED AND OBVIOUS. HAVING REVIEWED SIMILAR STORIES AND PICTURES ONLINE OF ISSUES WITH THE WINDSHIELD OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR THE VEHICLE, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE IS MORE THAN COINCIDENCE. *TR
FIRST TIME WASHING MY NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH BARELY 900 MILES ON IT. PARKED IT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WALKED FROM THE GARAGE TO THE VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR WATER SPOTS AND NOTED A 5" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THERE WASN'T ONE WHILE I WASHED IT! STARTS WHERE THE HEATING ELEMENT IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. IT'S RAPIDLY SPREAD UP AND ACROSS MY DRIVING LINE OF SIGHT. WHEN THE SUN IS UP, THE GLINTING BECOMES ALMOST BLINDING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO REPORT WHAT TO ME WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. THEIR HEAD OF SERVICE LOOKED AT IT AND PRONOUNCED IT WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK. HE TRIED TO EXPLAIN WHERE HE SAW THIS "IMPACT". I DISAGREED. THERE IS NO IMPACT CRAZE. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE EXAMINER TOOK PICTURES AND PRONOUNCED IT DUE TO "A STRUCTURAL DEFECT". SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLASS WAS ORDERED AND I'M SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR IT PLUS THE INSTALLATION OR THERE'LL BE A RE-STOCKING FEE. I'VE WAITED OVER A MONTH WHILE BEING TOLD THERE ARE SHORTAGES, OR IT'S TOO NEW, AND "DUE TO THE LONGSHOREMAN'S STRIKE IN LONG BEACH..." I RANG UP SUBARU OF AMERICA, WHO OPENED A CASE AND ARE HAVING ME GO BACK TO THE DEALER, HAVE THEM TAKE PICTURES, SEND THOSE AND THE REPORT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO THEM. SEEMS LIKE I'M DOING A LOT OF WORK FOR WHAT TO ME SHOULD BE COVERED AS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD OR A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THERE ARE 7 COMPLAINTS, FILED ON THIS WEB-SITE FROM SUBARU OWNERS, THIS MODEL, SAME YEAR, WITH THE IDENTICAL PASSENGER SIDE CRACK. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER RECORDS OF THESE INCIDENTS RECORDED AT SAFERCAR.GOV, AND SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG I'M FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED BEYOND WORDS AS THIS IS A NEW CAR. *TR
.OF US AS TRAFFIC WAS CAUSING IT TO SPEED UP AND SLOW DOWN. WITH NO WARNING, OUR CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED AHEAD AS IF I HAD STEPPED HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL, THROWING US BACK IN OUR SEATS. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, IT HIT BRAKES AND THREW US FORWARD. IT DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP BUT RESUMED PREVIOUS SPEED. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES. I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT THAT APPEARED, ABOUT TWO MILES AHEAD. I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED THAT WE MIGHT COLLIDE WITH THE VAN IN FRONT OR SWERVE INTO THE TRAFFIC IN THE LANE NEXT TO US, OR THAT IT MIGHT SUDDENLY STALL IN OUR LANE. I DID NOT TRY TO STOP THE CAR ALTHOUGH I HAD MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT BADLY FRIGHTENED MY WIFE AND I. THE CAR HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION. WE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN HAD CAR TOWED TO CLOSEST OF TWO SUBARU DEALERS IN THE AREA. I HAD BOTH OF THEM RUN EXTENSIVE CHECKS ON ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, COMPUTER, ETC. NEITHER COULD IDENTIFY ANY ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE PROBLEM. MY WIFE HAS SWORN SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE OR RIDE IN THE CAR AGAIN. I CAN'T BLAME HER. WE HAVE TO GO OVER A WINDING, HILLY ROAD OF ABOUT TEN MILES TO GO HOME. THERE IS HEAVY CAR AND TRUCK TRAFFIC OFF AND ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY. TO GET HOME, WE RENTED A CAR AS I NOW FEAR DRIVING THIS ROAD IN THIS CAR AT ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT. THE DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR HAS OFFERED TO STORE THE CAR FOR US UNTIL WE DECIDE WHAT TO DO. I'VE TRIED CALLING SUBARU AND WILL TRY AGAIN. LONG WAIT PERIODS SO FAR. THIS IS OUR SECOND SUBARU. FIRST WAS A 2012 OUTBACK WHICH WE TRADED FOR THE CURRENT ONE WHICH WE HAVE LEASED. THE IRONY OF THIS IS THAT WE BOUGHT THE CURRENT ONE FOR ITS MANY SAFETY FEATURES! I'VE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE BUT HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS! *TR
DEAR SIR, ON FEBRUARY 11,2015 WE PURCHASED A NEW 2015 OUTBACK 2.5 PREMIUM AT SELLER DEALER 400106 VIN [XXX] AND THE ODOMETER READING WAS 10 MILES. THIS WAS OUR DREAM CAR THAT WE SAVED FOR A FEW YEARS TO FINALLY PURCHASE. IT DEVELOPED AN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE AT ONLY 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SO I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR EVALUATION ON 3/18/15 AND AFTER 2 DAYS THERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO SUBARU EXPERTS. I REALLY RESPECT SUBARU??S AND THEIR HISTORY, BUT WE NO LONGER CONSIDER THIS ONE OUR DREAM CAR. IF THE POWER PLANT IS FAULTY WE WONDER WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO GO WRONG WITH IT. MY FAMILY WILL NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. THOUGH THE CAR MAY OR MAY NOT FALL UNDER THE SONG-BEVERLY CONSUMER WARRANTY ACT WE WANT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE, NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS. I FEEL THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT OF FAILED AT ONLY 1,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M SURE [XXX] WOULD STRONGLY AGREE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND WINDSHILED REPLACED SINCE I BOUGHT MY OUTBACK IN MARCH 2015. FIRST TIME IT CRACKED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NOW ON SECOND WINDSHILED, AND SEAL IN UPPER RIGHT IS BROKEN, AND CAN'T TAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE BECAUSE THERE'S A DELUGE OF RAIN OUT THERE. MUST WAIT FOR FACTORY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT'S TOO NEW!
AFTER JUST PICKING UP MY NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK AND DRIVING IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, I REALIZED THERE IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION RELATED TO THE CAR'S INFOTAINMENT CENTER. THE AREA SURROUNDING THE DISPLAY SCREEN IS AN EXTREMELY GLOSSY BLACK MIRROR-LIKE REFLECTIVE SURFACE. WHILE DRIVING, THE SUN REFLECTS OFF OF THIS SURFACE INTO THE EYES OF THE DRIVER. THIS INTENSITY IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE EYE PAIN, AS WELL AS DISTRACT THE DRIVER. NOW WHEN DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY, RATHER THAN KEEPING BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, I NEED TO USE MY RIGHT HAND TO SHIELD MY EYES FROM THIS DISTRACTING REFLECTED GLARE. I ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE AN ANTI-GLARE SHIELD, BUT THEY ONLY COVER THE DISPLAY AREA (WHICH ACTUALLY IS NOT REFLECTIVE). I NEED TO COVER THE REFLECTIVE PERIMETER TRIM AREA. SUBARU NEEDS TO PROVIDE AN ANTI-GLARE SHIELD THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE INFOTAINMENT CENTER. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL: WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL (+/-) TOGGLE SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL , WHICH IS USED TO SET OR CHANGE THE SPEED SETTING OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, IS PRESSED DOWN TO THE MINUS OR SET SIDE, IT INTERMITTENTLY AND IN VARIABLE CONDITIONS EITHER DOES NOT REACT AT ALL (I.E. NO CHANGE TO THE SPEED SETTING), FLASHES THE SPEED SETTING ON THE SCREEN DISPLAY, BUT DOES NOT CHANGE IT OR MORE IMPORTANTLY IT INCREASES THE SPEED SETTING AND IN SOME CASES HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE THE SPEED SETTING OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR
4 MONTH OLD 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK: MOONROOF EXPLODED, FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WHILE ON INTERSTATE; WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND ABOUT 60DEGREE DAY AROUND 2:30PM EST; NOTHING HIT THE CAR, SUNROOF EXPLODED,VERY LOUDLY, UP THEN THE SHATTERED GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE CAR AND OVER ME, AS WELL AS OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR, LEAVING SCRATCHES AND DENTS, REQUIRING BODY SHOP WORK TO THE OUTSIDE. THE CLOTH COVER WAS OPEN; THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD JUST BEEN ROLLED UP; HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 10MINS BEFORE IT OCCURRED, AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED IN UNCOVERED PARKING LOT FOR SEVERAL HOURS; WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE; I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES IF NEEDED. ALSO, THIS SAME CAR HAS A SEAL GAP ISSUE IN THE TRIANGULAR WINDOW ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. AN INITIAL RESEALING DONE WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY OF THE CAR DID NOT STAY SEALED. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A 'KIT' NOW TO FIX THE SEAL PROBLEM OF THE TRIANGULAR WINDOW, WHICH I AM CURRENTLY ON A WAIT LIST FOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED UPWARD. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE PLASTIC EXTERIOR PANEL NEAR THE WINDOW MELTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400...UPDATED 06/09/15*BF UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN
I PURCHASED MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK IN NOVEMBER 2014 AND THE FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACK OCCURRED BEGINNING OF MARCH 2015. THE CRACK HAPPENED OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS THE DAY AFTER A MAJOR SNOW STORM. THE CRACK INITIATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND UP TO THE CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF CHIPS/CRACKS DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECTS WHICH SEEM LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART/DESIGN TO ME. THE CRACK PROPAGATED REALLY QUICKLY. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CRACK. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TOLD ME STRAIGHT UP TO GO THROUGH INSURANCE AND DEAL WITH IT MYSELF. I WENT THROUGH INSURANCE AND REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WITH A GENUINE SUBARU PART BY THE END OF MARCH. JUST WHEN I THOUGH IT IS OVER, A CRACK JUST APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD ON MAY 10, 2015. THE CRACK SEEM TO HAVE INITIATED FROM THE WINDSHIELD HEATING COMPARTMENT AGAIN. DURING THE MORNING OF MAY 11, 2015, I LOOKED AT THE CRACK AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T GROW OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER, WHEN I CHECKED ON IT WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT WORK DURING NOON TIME, THE CRACK GREW ABOUT 2 INCHES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH 2 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS. A GOOD WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND TEMPERATURE CHANGE AND MINOR IMPACTS FROM FOREIGN OBJECTS AND THE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK IS DEFINITELY NOT MEETING THAT REQUIREMENT. IN ADDITION, THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT BEING HELPFUL WITH THE SITUATION AND NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITIES IN INVESTIGATING WHETHER THIS CAN BE A VEHICLE DEFECT OR NOT. I AM NOT GOING TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD OUT OF MY OWN EXPENSE AND I DEMAND FOR AN ANSWER/EXPLANATION FROM SUBARU.
MY WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK THAT RUNS FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW AND THEN HORIZONTALLY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS FIRST STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK AND GREW QUICKLY. THERE IS A TINY CHIP, LESS THAN A PIN HEAD IN SIZE NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE CRACK. NO STAR, AND NOT THE SIZE I WOULD TAKE TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT OTHER THAN "BUMMER, A BIG CRACK IN MY BRAND NEW CAR'S WINDSHIELD" UNTIL I SAW ANOTHER OUTBACK, SAME BODY STYLE, WITH THE SAME CRACK. I CALLED THE DEALER TO GET IT REPLACED AND IT IS ON A 3 MONTH BACKORDER. THEN I CHECKED THIS WEBSITE AND SAW SEVERAL SIMILAR STORIES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD, INSTALLATION, OR FIT? THANKS
THE TOUCH SCREEN THAT CONTROLS THE SYSTEM'S RADIO/NAVIGATION IS VERY GLOSSY AND WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE SUN HIT IT AT AN ANGLE AND BLINDED ME. WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE, HAD TO PLACE MY HAND OVER THE 7" SCREEN TO REDUCE THE BRIGHT SUN GLARE WHICH WAS IMPEDING MY VISIBILITY AND MADE IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF DRIVERS ARE BLINDED BY THE LIGHT THAT BOUNCES BACK.
2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, THE HEAT FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS WAS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO KEEP SNOW FROM ACCUMULATING ON THE TAIL LAMP. *JB
CAR BROUGHT IN 4 TIMES TO SERVICE FOR RADIO FREEZING NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND OTHER PARTS ON DASH INCIDENTS HAPPENED FROM DATE OF PURCHASE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS BREAKING IN. FIRST TIME BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECKED . WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM, THEN TOLD HAD TO UPDATE SOFTWARE, THEN TOLD HAD TO HAVE RADIO (HEAD UNIT) REPLACED WHICH I HAD TO WAIT FOR SINCE SO MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAS SAME PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT HEAD UNIT NO GOOD (WAS A REFURBISHED RADIO SINCE THEY HAD NO NEW ONES (SUBARU HAS SINCE SWITCHED TO ANOTHER VENDOR BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS) NOW CAR IS AT SERVICE CENTER WAITING FOR ENGINEERS FROM SUBARU TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR NOT A CAR WITH REFURBISHED PARTS. THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ME WITH A NEW PART SINCE THEY CAN'T GET ONE.I DO NOT WANT A PART THAT WILL CONSTANTLY FAIL AND EVENTUALLY LEAVE ME WITH A BILL WHEN WARRANTY ENDS WHEN THE NAVIGATION FAILS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP IT IS DISCONCERTING THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. *TR
I HAVE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH EYESIGHT AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION. I HAD STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, ABOUT 10 FT FROM THE GARAGE, WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO CLEAN THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME OUT OF THE GARAGE AND SIGNALED ME TO PARK THE VEHICLE INSIDE, I WAS ABOUT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY IN THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED LIKE A BULLET, AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO THAT SET SPEED, QUICKLY. MY HUSBAND HEARD THE WHEELS SCREECHING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. HE JUMPED ON THE SIDE AND SURVIVED BY AN INCH OR SO. WITHIN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, THE VEHICLE HIT THE CENTER SUPPORT WHICH SUPPORTS THE GARAGE DOORS, THEN THE SNOW BLOWER AND FURTHER STRUCK THE ITEMS KEPT AGAINST THE WALL BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE GARAGE, BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. IT APPEARS THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE I APPLIED, EYESIGHT MAY HAVE HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN THE US FOR OVER 18 YEARS WITHOUT A SINGLE INCIDENT. PARKING IN THE GARAGE IS THE SIMPLEST OF ALL THE TASKS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN DUE TO SOME MALFUNCTION.
I HAVE HAD 3 INTERMITTENT START UP ISSUES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 0 DEGREES ON MY NEW 2015 OUTBACK. IT OCCURS AFTER A SHORT TRIP, LESS THAN 10 MILES. WHEN I WENT BACK TO TRY AND START THE CAR THE FIRST TIME THE DOOR IS OPEN BELL CHIMED, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START UP.THE HEATER, RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRONICS WERE NOT SHOWING ON THE SCREEN. THE THIRD TIME THE CAR KEY WOULD NOT EVEN TURN IN THE IGNITION. I LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND 10 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WOULD START. BEING STRANDED IN BELOW 0 CONDITIONS IS A SCARY PROPOSITION! I HAVE READ ON THE SUBARU.ORG THREAD THAT THERE IS A RELAY SWITCH ISSUE. *TR
I WARMED THE CAR UP AND DROVE TO SHOPRITE. TWENTY MINUTES LATER I RETURNED TO THE CAR TO PUT THE STUFF AWAY TO GO HOME. WHEN I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO START THE CAR ONLY THE RADIO STARTED AND THE MESSAGE FLASHED KEYLESS START UP DEACTIVATED SEE MANUAL. I SAW THE MANUAL COULD, JUST ABOUT UNDERSTAND IT, DID WHAT IT TOLD ME NOTHING CHANGED. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT SUBARU AND THE LADY SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY EVEN THOUGH I TOLD HER WHAT THE MESSAGE SAID ON THE SCREEN. SHE SENT SOMEONE TO JUMP THE BATTERY .WHEN HE ARRIVED 50 MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTED PERFECTLY. I CALLED SUBARU SERVICE AT MY DEALERSHIP ,THAT I HAVE USED SINCE 1979. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO SAID HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT IT. I LOOKED ON LINE AT THE SUBARU FORUM AND FOUND OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME OR SIMILAR MESSAGE. I AM INCLUDING THEIR WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/66-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE/220162-2015-OUTBACK-NOT-STARTING. I WANT TO KNOW IF THE CAR RESETS ITSELF. NO ONE CAN TELL ME AT SUBARU (GLANNZMANS) I HAVE DRIVEN SUBARU SINCE 1979 AND THEY STARTED ALL THE TIME. THIS IS THE EYESIGHT MODEL SUPPOSEDLY REALLY SAFE BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHEN I LEAVE MY HOUSE IF THE CAR WILL START . I MAKES ME FEEL NOT VERY SAFE. *TR
TWO ISSUES; THE SIMILARLY REPORTED ELECTRICAL STOP. STARTED CAR ON COLD MORNING, DROVE SHORT DISTANCE, DROPPED KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. WENT TO RESTART, AND CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. HAD TO JUMP IT. SECOND ISSUE; BURNING OIL SMELL IN CABIN. OIL LEVEL WAS FINE, AND SMELL NOT COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. TOOK CAR TO SHOP TODAY FOR THE OIL SMELL, AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL STOP. THEY SAID THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS RELATED TO NEEDING TO REPLACE 4 RELAYS. THE OIL SMELL, HOWEVER, IS DUE TO A BAD CRANKCASE SEAL THAT THEY SAID FAILED MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE COLD. I FOUND SIMILAR REPORTS ON SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/
BLIND SPOT DETECTION (ALSO CALLED SRVD) DID NOT WORK WHEN WE PICKED UP THE NEW CAR IN FEB 2015 THE FIRST TIME FROM DEALER. WE DID NOT NOTICE IT AT THE TIME. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY REPLACED A PART AT NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SRVD FEATURE WORKED FOR 6 MONTHS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SRVD. IT FAILED AGAIN JUST 2 MONTHS LATER. WE ARE GOING BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME TO FIX THE SRVD.
TWO INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE IGNITION/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THIS CAR HAPPENED DURING A SECOND START AFTER A SHORT TRIP IN COLD WEATHER. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE CAR STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, THEN AFTER I DROVE FOR SHORT TRIP (BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MINUTES LONG) I PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND LEFT IT FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT: THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE ACCESSORIES, INCLUDING THE HEAT/FAN SYSTEM AND RADIO WORKED, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. THE DASHBOARD "SECURITY IMMOBILIZER" INDICATOR FLASHED AS IF THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 5 MINUTES, ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THE SECOND INCIDENT: THE CAR STARTED, BUT THE ACCESSORIES, INCLUDING THE HEAT/FAN SYSTEM WOULD NOT TURN ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE, BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO HEAT OR FAN, THE WINDSHEILD SOON BEGAN TO FOG-OVER, DIMINISHING VISIBILITY, DISABLING THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, AND FORCING ME TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. AFTER THE CAR RAN FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES TOTAL, THE ACCESSORIES TURNED ON AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH MY DEALER AND SUBARU OF AMERICA OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN ADVISED OF A SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO AVOID SHORT TRIPS IN COLD WEATHER. *TR
TWICE IN SNOWING CONDITION , THE WINDSHIELD ICED AT THE BOTTOM AND DID NOT CLEAR EVEN THOUGH THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE OUR JOURNEY. EVEN THOUGH WE STOPPED EVERY TEN MINUTES OR LESS TO SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR. I'VE HAD MANY CARS IN MANY CONDITIONS AND NEVER SAW THIS LACK OF VISIBILITY. IT TOOK 4 HOURS ON ROUTE 270 FROM FREDRICK TO GO 20 MILES OUT AND RETURN. VERY SCARY.
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. *TR
THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE STRAIT , WANDERING LEFT AND RIGHT AT ALL THE TIME FROM THE DAY ONE .CHECKED ALIGNMENT AT THE DEALER - NO PROBLEMS . SO I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND CAN'T EVEN THINK HOW IT'S GONNA BE ON THE SNOW ( I LIVE IN THE NORTHWEST )
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE NAVIGATION VOICE COMMANDS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY LOOK AT THE SCREEN, WHICH WAS A DISTRACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL PERSONAL DATA NEEDED TO BE CLEARED OUT AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHTS WITH SHARP CUT OFF..... LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT AND GREAT ON LEVEL STRAIGHT ROAD AT MODERATE SPEEDS, DEVIATE FROM THAT AND IT IS DANGEROUS. NEED FURTHER PENETRATION FOR HIGH SPEED DRIVING.. GOING DOWNHILL OR ON ANY SLOPE AND AROUND CURVES LIMITED VISIBILITY;;; . DOWNHILL FREEWAY CLOVERLEAF ON RAMP, IMPOSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE SAFELY WITH LOW BEAM.. DEPTH OF FIELD 20 TO 25 FEET, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. LIGHTS JUST CUT OFF RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. HAVE TO TURN ON HIGH BEAM TO SEE... ALSO LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE SIDES OF ROADS VERY WELL, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WILDLIFE VERY WELL. LIMITED VISIBILITY TURNING CORNERS IN RESIDENTIAL DRIVING, HARD TO SEE PEDESTRIANS AT SIDE CROSSWALKS. HARD TO SEE PROJECTED PATH.. LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT HIGH ENOUGH TO THE RIGHT TO PROPERLY LIGHT UP STREET SIGNS. SELF LEVELING MAY HELP WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. *TR
AFTER OWNING CAR ROUGHLY 1.5 MONTHS, FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A ROUGHLY 15 - 20 INCH CRACK STARTING FROM TOP LEFT SIDE STARTING FROM THE EDGE, WORKING DOWN AND ACROSS. CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE EDGE HEATING ELEMENT. POSSIBLE MINOR ROCK SCRAPE, BUT NO "PIT" OR "STAR." *TR
AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE THE FOLLOWING MORNING BUT HAD NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE (POWER STEERING, AT OIL TEMPERATURE, AMONG OTHERS) WHILE IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WARMED UP FOR 5 MINUTES. ONCE WARMED UP, OWNER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART 20 MINUTES LATER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART BUT OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC) WORKED BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THIS VEHICLE ON 1/2/2015. IT IS A 2.5 LIMITED MODEL WITH EYESIGHT, NAVIGATION AND KEYLESS IGNITION. ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE IGNITION DID NOT WORK. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF. THE CAR WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED (LOOSE WIRE/FUSE). TODAY (2/16/2015), THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTIALLY FAILED. WHILE THE IGNITION WORKED AND SOME WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (INCLUDING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT). THE ENTIRE CENTER PANEL OF CONTROLS (RADIO, NAVIGATION, CLIMATE CONTROL, ETC.) WAS DISABLED. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM CONTROLS BRAKING, ACCELERATION, ETC. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION IS ALSO A CONCERN. WE HAVE SEEN THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR CHRONIC ISSUES WITH THEIR NEW SIMILARLY CONFIGURED VEHICLES. *TR
WE BOUGHT THE SUBARU IN ANCHORAGE AND STARTED HEADING TOWARD OUR HOME IN FAIRBANKS. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES INTO THE JOURNEY WE STOPPED TO REST AND EAT. WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR TALKING, THERE WAS A POP SOUND AND A LARGE 9-10" CRACK APPEARED BEHIND THE MIRROR AND BINOCULAR CAMERAS DESCENDED INTO THE PASSENGER'S VIEW. I INSPECTED THE OUTSIDE WINDOW FOR EVIDENCE OF IMPACT FROM A ROCK OR DEBRIS, SUCH AS CHIPPING, BUT THERE WAS NONE. I TRIED TO GET A REPLACEMENT WINDOW AFTER SUBARU BLEW ME OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUE TO AN APPARENT LARGE DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENT GLASS FOR THIS MODEL. SINCE THEN CRACKS HAVE APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD WORKING THERE WAY UP. MY SON HAS A BRAND NEW 2015 SUBARU FORESTER, WHICH DID THE EXACT SAME THING ON THE WAY HOME FROM ANCHORAGE. AGAIN SUBARU DEALER DENIED THEY HAVE SEEN ANY PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD, BUT READ THE COMPLAINTS LOGGED WITH NHTSA AND ONE CAN ONLY COME TO A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION. PERHAPS SUBARU IS MAKING THEIR GLASS TOO THIN TO REDUCE WEIGHT OR THERE IS SOME SORT OF FLEXING OF THE WINDOW MIDPOINT ON THE GLASS BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM.
THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A MYSTERIOUS CRACK FROM THE LOWER CORNER DRIVER SIDE, AND IT PROPAGATED ACROSS IN A WEEK A TWO. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A REASONABLY PRICED AFTER MARKET WINDSHIELD AND THE QUOTED COST FROM THE DEALER IS WAY TOO HIGH. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEALER HAS DIFFICULTY GETTING THE NEW GLASS IN A TIMELY MANNER. I AM NOT WILLING TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT APPEARS THAT ANOTHER CRACK MAY OCCUR ON THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
THIS CAR HAS SUFFERED FROM, AS HAVE MANY OTHER 2015 SUBARU OUTBACKS FROM EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE. THE CAR HAS HAD 2 FIXES SO FAR AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *JS
NOTE: NO ACCIDENT - REPORTING SAFETY ISSUE!!! INCIDENT DATE = DATE ISSUE IDENTIFIED: AS THE DRIVER, I AM SEEING LIGHT UNDER THE HOOD IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE OPENING UNDER THE HOOD. OUTSIDE LIGHT AND ROAD IMAGES ARE VISIBLE THROUGH THE OPENING FOR THE DRIVERS WIPER, DUE TO THE WIDE GAP BETWEEN THE DRIVERS FRONT FENDER AND HOOD. I FOUND THIS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE WHEN I ADJUSTED MY SEAT TO THE POSITION MOST COMFORTABLE FOR DRIVING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO MY DEALER AND SUBARU. IN ADDITION, I PRESENTED A VIDEO AND PICTURES THAT SHOWS FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT, INSIDE THE VEHICLE, I CAN CLEARLY SEE OUTSIDE LIGHT AND IMAGES WHICH IS DISTRACTING WHEN I DRIVE AND TO ME A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW VIDEO AND PICTURES LINKS FOR FULL DETAILS: VIDEO: HTTP://YOUTU.BE/6EHUCZNJW2U STANDARD FORMAT VERSION (LOWERCASE ALL CHARACTERS EXPECT FOLLOWING /----CZN--2U) HD PICTURES: HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/OPEN?ID=0BY5M44GNHDECFLLFADM0VMRNTM9PNS1KBEZIBEJ6EWSYCVJLEXRLSUFVTHNIWUPQRXHKR1K&AUTHUSER=0
IN NOVEMBER 2014, I TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3.6 LIMITED. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL PREMIUM ELECTRONICS PACKAGE, AND THE EYESIGHT COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE RANDOM MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE KEY-LESS IGNITION, AND THE KEY-LESS ENTRY SYSTEMS. THE IGNITION PROBLEMS ALL INVOLVED ENGINE START, AND OCCURRED IN SCENARIOS WHERE THE KEY-FOB WASN'T RECOGNIZED. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM STARTED TO DISPLAY ERRONEOUS LOCATIONAL DATA, AND THE ASSOCIATED 'STARLINK' TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM WOULD FREEZE-UP (BECOME INOPERABLE). AS OF TODAY, I HAVE POSTED SIX DIFFERENT VIDEOS TO YOUTUBE TO DRAMATICALLY ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=9MF_RUMICQM . I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED. I HAVE ALSO MET WITH SUBARUS, SEATTLE ZONE SERVICE MANAGER. IN EMAILS FROM SUBARU'S CORPORATE SERVICE OFFICIALS, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EXISTS, DESPITE THE VIDEOS. UNOFFICIALLY, THE ZONE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH HE BELIEVES IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM IN VEHICLES WITH THIS OPTION COMBINATION. HE DOES NOT KNOW OF ANY SOLUTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM CAN OVERRIDE DRIVER COMMANDS INVOLVING BRAKING, AND ENGINE THROTTLE. WILL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE GPS AND STARLINK TOUCH-SCREENS POTENTIALLY CREATE A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM THAT CREATES AN ACCIDENT RATHER THAN MITIGATING IT? *TR
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 SUNLIGHT, BUT IT WAS MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE THAN ANYTHING. ON THIS OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON, GOING EAST ON A HIGHWAY. THE DASHBOARD SCREEN WAS REFLECTING THE SUN INTO MY EYES SO DIRECTLY THAT IT WAS PAINFUL. IT WAS ALSO DISTRACTING. THE LIGHT WAS SO BRIGHT AND SO CONSISTENT THAT I HAD TO DRIVE WHILE HOLDING MY RIGHT HAND IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN TO BLOCK THE LIGHT. I HAD TO DRIVE THAT WAY FOR PROBABLY HALF AN HOUR. I DID NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF "ACCIDENT." HOWEVER, I CAN FORESEE THAT UNDER THE WRONG CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR COULD BLIND OR DISTRACT A DRIVER FROM SEEING OTHER TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, ETC. AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE SOMEONE TO KEEP ONE HAND OFF THE WHEEL AND MAYBE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT WAY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 856. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN
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 IN THE LOWER LEFT (AGAIN, STARTING WHERE THE HEATING ELEMENT IS AND AGAIN, NO ROCK SOUND OR IMPACT SPOT). MY SISTER HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH A CRACK IN THE *EXACT* SAME SPOT THAT DEVELOPED LAST WEEK OUT OF THE BLUE (I HAVE PHOTOS OF BOTH OF OUR CRACKS FOR COMPARISON). FROM DOING RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS (WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG HAS SEVERAL FORUM THREADS DETAILING SIMILAR REPORTS). *TR
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 JANUARY 15, 2015. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR STRUCTURAL AND VISIBILITY REASONS. BOTH CRACKS BEGAN IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEATER AREA. *TR
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, PERIODICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED,. THE BLIND SPOT CAUTION/WANING SYSTEM IS DISABLED. THIS IS CONFIRMED BY A CAUTION LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ONLY WAY TO REACTIVATE THE SYSTEM IS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IF THE MALFUNCTION IS NOT CAUGHT ON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE ACTIVATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO YEARS AND 40,000 MILES. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AT DARYL WALTRIP SUBARU IN FRANKLIN TN THE PROBLEM IS POINTED OUT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. EVERY TIME I AM TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM BUT THEY HAVE UPDATED THE COMPUTER. RECENTLY A RELAY IN THE SYSTEM, PART NO. 87611AL00B, WAS REPLACED. THIS HAS ONLY EXACERBATED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE CALLS TO SUBARU'S CUSTOMER CARE LINE AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO HELP. MULTIPLE CALLS TO THE SERVICE MANAGE AT DARYL WALTRIP SUBARU IN FRANKLIN TN HAVE GONE UNANSWERED AND HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED. SUBARU CUSTOMER CARE HAS SUPPOSEDLY CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DARYL WALTRIP SUBARU REQUESTING THAT HE CONTACT ME, HE HAS NOT. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM.
BLINDING DASHBOARD GLARE AT CERTAIN AUTOMOBILE/SUN ANGLES. *TR
I HAVE A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE, IT STARTED GIVING ME LOWER BACK PAIN. SEVERAL OWNERS OF NEW 2015 OUTBACK INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL REVIEWERS ARE ALSO REPORTING BACK PAIN AND INJURIES BECAUSE OF OVER EXTENDING LUMBAR SUPPORT - SOME EXAMPLES ATTACHED BELOW. WHEN CONTACTED SUBARU, I WAS ADVISED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THE LUMBAR SUPPORT. DEALER ALSO ADVISED ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE FROM THEIR SIDE. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/210521-TOO-AGGRESSIVE-LUMBAR-SUPPORT-KILLING-MY-BACK.HTML HTTP://WWW.KBB.COM/CAR-NEWS/ALL-THE-LATEST/2015-SUBARU-LEGACY-FINALLY-A-CONTENDER/2000010841/. *TR
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
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS. ONE HAPPENED TWICE. WHEN IN DRIVE AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE FOR A LONG TIME -ABOUT 3 OR 4 MINUTES. THE BRAKE GOES SOFT, THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND THE CAR TAKES OFF. IF SOMEONE OR CAR IS IN FRONT OF ME THE CRASH WHEN BE BAD. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS WHEN TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS LOOKED FOR THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. A FIELD ENGINEER HOOK UP A COMPUTER AND RODE WITH ME FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. OF COURSE NOTING HAPPENED. ALSO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT THE CAR OVER NIGHT AND DROVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. AS THEY ALL HAVE TOLD ME IF NO PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THEY HAVE IT THEY CAN NOT FIX IT. NOW I MAY TURN THE CAR BACK IN (A LEASE CAR) AND BE OUT MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR DRIVE WITH FEAR AND HOPE NOTHING BAD HAPPENS.
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 THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
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*CW
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*CW UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN
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 INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. THIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECESSED INTO THE DASH, OR AT A MINIMUM, A MATTE FINISH INSTEAD OF A GLASSY FINISH ON THE PLASTIC. IT IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, AS IT IS BLINDING. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH THE SUN AT AN ANGLE, THE REFLECTION OF LIGHT IN YOUR EYES IS AS BLINDING AS SOMEONE HOLDING A FLASHLIGHT STEADILY INTO YOUR EYES. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I TOOK OF THE SCREEN. IT MUST BE RECALLED SOON, WITH EITHER SOME TYPE OF REPLACEMENT COVER THAT IS A MATTE FINISH, OR AN ATTACHMENT THAT GOES AROUND THE SCREEN SO IT WOULD APPEAR RECESSED. I PAID THOUSANDS EXTRA FOR NAVIGATION, AND NOT ONLY IS IT BLINDING, BUT I CANNOT EVEN SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN ANYWAY. BEFORE I CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT INJURES MYSELF OR OTHERS, OR SOMEONE ELSE DOES, PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SHOW THE REFLECTION. *TR
ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY BECAME UNRESPONSIVE RESULTING IN COMPLETE SLOWDOWN TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART NUMEROUS TIME TO GET TO SAFE LOCATION. RESULTED IN EXPENSIVE FIX AND COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY/HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION. APPARENTLY WAS A SENSOR OF SOME SORT. HAPPENED A WHILE AGO, SO DATE PROVIDED IS APPROXIMATE, BUT I JUST BECAME AWARE OF THIS SITE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, I NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY HAD A CRACK THAT STARTED AT THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE AND RAN DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 12", NO EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY STONE, ETC.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026