There are 7 owner-reported tires & wheels complaints for the 2015 Subaru Outbackin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Wheel Lug bolts continue to snap off. Have had 5 so far and this could effect the ability of the wheel to stay attached to the vehicle. I have several friends with the same vehicle (different years) that have had the same issue multiple times. In 50 years of vehicle ownership have never had this happen once, let alone 5 times.
Failure on multiple lug nuts due to rust and corroding bolts. The vehicle is mostly garaged, and exposed to the elements only when driven. For a < 68000 mile vehicle, this type of failure is on the higher side. Additionally, the lug nuts break when trying to open using company specific torque. The repair facilities advise me that it is a known Subaru issue. This is a safety hazard in that, if I am stranded due to a flat tire, I will not be able to change my tire.
HAVE HAD 2 WHEEL BEARING FAIL AND NEED REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST AT 45000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 65000 MILES.
BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REQUIRED REPLACING AT 83,967 MILES. THE WHEEL NOISE BEGAN PRIOR TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE BUT JUST NOW TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THE WHEEL NOISE GOT LOUDER AS THE SPEED INCREASED.
RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 45,000 MILES. LOUD GRINDING, THEN THUMPING NOISES WHEN AUTO IN MOTION
I WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE THIRD WHEEL BEARING UNDER WARRANTEE (RIGHT REAR WHEEL) ON MY CAR AT 61359 MILES ON 10OCTOBER2017. THE FIRST BEARING (LEFT REAR WHEEL) WAS REPLACED ON 15JANUARY2016 AND THE SECOND BEARING (LEFT FRONT WHEEL) WAS REPLACED ON 29 JULY AFTER 35270 ELAPSED MILES. DESPITE COMPLAINING TO SUBARU NTN'L HQTRS REQUESTING THAT ALL REMAINING BEARINGS BE REPLACED AFTER THE SECOND BEARING FAILED IT WAS APPARENTLY DECIDED THAT THE REMAINING BEARING BE REPLACED ONLY AFTER FAILING RATHER THAN ACTING PROACTIVELY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD MORE OR LESS LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND NOT EXPERIENCE THE HIGH FAILURE RATE THAT MY CAR HAS SHOWN. A FRIEND OF MY ALSO OWNS A 2015 OUTBACK AND HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HIS CAR HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THERE SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER'S PRODUCT RECALL ISSUED TO ALL SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS TO ADDRESS THIS PRODUCT FAILURE AFTER CONSIDERING THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE FOR THESE BEARINGS EXPERIENCED BY MY FRIEND AND ME. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED DURING THESE INSTANCES NOTED FOR BOTH VEHICLES.
AT 36,573 MILES 5/26/15 HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AT 79,176 MILES 12/16/15 HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AT 94,957 MILES 4/1/16 HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING. CAR BECOMES UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026