Subaru Outback 2015–2019 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (BS)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,922 complaints, 2,165 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2015 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 20,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 510
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2015
- Visibility/wiper130 reports · median 9,000 mi
- Electrical system127 reports · median 30,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise108 reports · median 23,000 mi
Recall areas Steering — column · Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 35,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 643
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Electrical system309 reports · median 40,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise124 reports · median 36,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper83 reports · median 38,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Steering — column · Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 30,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 919
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Electrical system392 reports · median 31,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper205 reports · median 33,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise178 reports · median 28,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — air bag/restraint control module · Air bags — knee bolster · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 17,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 814
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Electrical system267 reports · median 16,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper234 reports · median 22,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise161 reports · median 12,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Visibility — rearview mirrors/devices · Electrical system — software
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Subaru Outback
Close- Median failure report
- 10,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,036
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Electrical system364 reports · median 13,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper326 reports · median 10,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise204 reports · median 9,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Structure
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2016; earliest: the 2019, and the 2016 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 20,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 62,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,165
- Recalls
- 14
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Electrical system37.2% of complaints · median 25,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper24.9% of complaints · median 18,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise19.8% of complaints · median 20,000 mi
Owners filed 3,922 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback; the electrical system leads with 37.2% of them, and half of the 2,165 that record an odometer reading came by 20,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
37% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 17.2 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2015–2019 Subaru Outback last?
On the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback, half of the 2,165 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 20,000 miles and 90% by 62,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
11 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Outback reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Subaru Outback 2015–2019 · 2,165 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 406 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 37% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,500
- 25%
- 7,000
- Median
- 20,000
- 75%
- 40,000
- 90%
- 62,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 406 | 18.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 250 | 11.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 214 | 9.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 168 | 7.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 162 | 7.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 149 | 6.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 152 | 7.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 114 | 5.3% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 105 | 4.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 78 | 3.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 83 | 3.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 41 | 1.9% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 44 | 2.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 50 | 2.3% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 28 | 1.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 19 | 0.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 14 | 0.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Outback problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Outback 2015–2019
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering133 reportsmedian 4,500middle half 500–14,000
- Visibility/wiper978 reportsmedian 18,000middle half 6,500–33,000
- Problems owners could not categorise775 reportsmedian 20,000middle half 6,000–36,000
- Electrical system1,459 reportsmedian 25,000middle half 12,000–44,000
- Engine220 reportsmedian 26,000middle half 4,000–50,000
- Transmission and driveline159 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 6,000–45,000
- Visibility equipment156 reportsmedian 32,000middle half 15,000–50,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,459 | 37.2% | 25,000 | 12,000–44,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 978 | 24.9% | 18,000 | 6,500–33,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 775 | 19.8% | 20,000 | 6,000–36,000 |
| Engine | 220 | 5.6% | 26,000 | 4,000–50,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 159 | 4.1% | 30,000 | 6,000–45,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 156 | 4.0% | 32,000 | 15,000–50,000 |
| Steering | 133 | 3.4% | 4,500 | 500–14,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 123 | 3.1% | 10,000 | 2,500–35,000 |
| Body structure | 120 | 3.1% | 14,000 | 3,000–35,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 113 | 2.9% | 7,500 | 2,500–25,000 |
Known problems with the 2015–2019 Outback
Transmission 2015–2018
CVT shudder and failure complaints continue; Subaru subsequently extended CVT coverage for MY2016-2018 vehicles as well.
Electrical 2015–2019
Parasitic battery drain causing repeated no-start, and widely reported windshield cracking from minimal impact.
Before you buy a 2015–2019 Outback: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,165 mileage-tagged complaints, 14 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 14 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for steering repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 4,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for throttle and speed control repair records. Same question here: a median of 10,000 miles.
- Check transmission on 2015–2018 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electrical on 2015–2019 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Outback problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi89% below | At 90k mi97% below | At 120k mi99% below | At 150k mi99% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12,000–44,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility/wiper | 6,500–33,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 6,000–36,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 4,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 6,000–45,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 15,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 500–14,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Outback 2015–2019 · 2,165 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2015–2019 Subaru Outback recalls (14)
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the airbag system (2), the transmission and driveline (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jul 2021 · 2018–2019 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
What can happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614.…
Apr 2020 · 2019 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
What can happen. If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's…
Dec 2019 · 2016–2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.…
Jun 2019 · 2019 · StructureIn the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…
Dec 2018 · 2018 · VisibilityFailure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the…
What can happen. Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
The free fix. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Nov 2018 · 2018 · Electrical SystemThe inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate…
What can happen. The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.…
Oct 2016 · 2017 · Air BagsIf the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam…
What can happen. If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners…
Aug 2016 · 2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs…
What can happen. If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable…
The free fix. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer…
May 2016 · 2015–2017 · Steering do not driveThe loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
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…
What can happen. The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Apr 2016 · 2015 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Nov 2015 · 2016 · Power TrainIf the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing…
What can happen. If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru…
Aug 2015 · 2015–2016 · Power TrainIf the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
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.
What can happen. If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
The free 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…
Jun 2015 · 2015 · Forward Collision AvoidanceIf the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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.…
Sep 2014 · 2015 · Trailer HitchesThe mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves…
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…
What can happen. 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…
The free 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,922 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 125 (3.2%)
- Fires
- 17
- Injury reports
- 60
- Fatality reports
- 0
Outback problems by model year
The 2019 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,036, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2015 the fewest, 510. A typical year drew about 814.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 510 | 343 | 20,000 | Visibility/wiper (130) | 5 |
| 2016 | 643 | 349 | 35,000† | Electrical system (309) | 4 |
| 2017 | 919 | 515 | 30,000† | Electrical system (392) | 4 |
| 2018 | 814 | 488 | 17,000† | Electrical system (267) | 3 |
| 2019 | 1,036 | 470 | 10,000† | Electrical system (364) | 3 |
What Outback owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale, but the contact discovered the seller was associated with a car dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage…
2016 · 207,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The maps and radio were glitching and then seized stuck. The screen was difficult to read. The screen was pixelated due to the brightness outside. The camera was inoperable. The local dealer was…
2015 · 73,000 miles · Reversing camera and sensors
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH the front windshield cracked approximately 6 inches from the heat sensor, no warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not diagnosed as the contact was advised that the vehicles VIN was…
2019 · 40,000 miles · Visibility equipment
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust manifold detached from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer advised the contact…
2015 · 244,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 2,165 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Outback generations
- Outback 1995–1999 155 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Outback 2000–2004 418 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Outback 2005–2009 761 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Outback 2010–2014 1,292 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Outback 2020–2025 574 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper