Throttlebook

2015 Subaru Outback

The 2015 Subaru Outback earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 65/100. Expect about $37,537 to own it for five years, or $626 a month. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 509 complaints.

Recalls
5
Complaints
509
5-yr cost
$38k
MPG (EPA)
28
0
Fair
Ownership Score

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5 recalls may apply

For the 2015 Subaru Outback. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.

Park-it warning

  • What's wrong: 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."

    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.

    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.

Check recalls for this exact VIN at NHTSA

Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

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5-year cost to own

Estimated $8,500 price, 20% down, 11.19% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 12,000 mi/yr.

$37,537
$626/month · $0.63/mile
Depreciation$1,923
Insurance (national avg.)$12,000
Fuel / charging$7,180
Maintenance$8,533
Repairs$4,000
Loan interest$2,391
Taxes & fees$1,510

Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.

Owner complaints & safety

What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.

509 complaints19 involved a crash5 involved a fire
  • Visibility/Wiper130
  • Electrical System127
  • Unknown Or Other108
  • Engine47
  • Power Train37
  • Structure33

Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.

NHTSA crash-test stars
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Rated as: 2015 Subaru Outback SUV AWD

What to check on a used 2015 Subaru Outback

Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.

  • Electrical and lights
    • Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
    • Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.
  • Engine and transmission
    • Cold start: listen for knocking, ticking or rough running.
    • Shifts should be smooth with no slipping or jerking.
  • Body and structure
    • Look for uneven gaps, mismatched paint or rust underneath.
    • Check that every door, the hood and the trunk latch properly.

If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.

Common 2015 Subaru Outback problems

Cheaper alternatives

FAQ

Is the 2015 Subaru Outback a good car to buy?
The 2015 Subaru Outback earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 65/100. Expect about $37,537 to own it for five years, or $626 a month. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 509 complaints.
Does the 2015 Subaru Outback have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2015 Subaru Outback, including Electronic Stability Control (Esc); Trailer Hitches; Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common 2015 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners filed 509 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (130), electrical system (127), engine (47), power train (37).
How much does a 2015 Subaru Outback cost to own for 5 years?
About $37,537 over 5 years ($626/month) at an estimated $8,500 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.