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2015 SUBARU Outback

5 recalls Risk Grade: B- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #16V292000 Plain English
Component

STEERING:COLUMN

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The steering column in your vehicle helps you control the direction of your wheels. In some 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback models, the column might not have been machined correctly, which could make the steering wheel turn, but the wheels won't follow.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, you could lose control of your vehicle while driving, which would increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will inspect the steering column to see if it needs to be replaced. If it does, they'll swap it out for a new one at no cost to you. You should schedule this repair as soon as possible, and until then, don't drive your vehicle.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #15V502000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The driveshaft in your Subaru is like a long, flexible rod that connects your transmission to your wheels. In some 2015-2016 Legacies and Outbacks, a part called the propeller shaft yoke may have a deformed seal cap that can cause a leak.
Risk if Unfixed
If transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there's a risk of a fire. This is a serious situation that could cause damage to your vehicle and potentially put you and others in harm's way.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the propeller shaft with a new one, free of charge. You'll be notified about the recall, but you can also contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 to check the status.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #16V251000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The electronic stability control system in your vehicle is a safety feature that helps you stay stable on the road. In some 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback models, the brake fluid might be too moist, which could affect how well this system works.
Risk if Unfixed
If the electronic stability control system fails, you could lose control of your vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace your brake fluid with fresh, dry fluid, and activate the anti-lock brakes to make sure they're working properly – all for free.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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."
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #15V366000 Plain English
Component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
Your vehicle's Eyesight system is a safety feature that helps prevent collisions by automatically applying the brakes if you're about to hit something. The switch that turns on your brake lights could fail, which would disable this life-saving feature.
Risk if Unfixed
If the automatic brake system fails, your vehicle won't stop on its own if it senses an obstacle ahead, which could cause a crash. This is especially serious if you're driving in heavy traffic or in low-visibility conditions.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will update the Eyesight system with new software, at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice, and it's free – just contact your dealer for an appointment.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #14V577000 Plain English
Component

TRAILER HITCHES

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
Your 2015 Subaru Outback's trailer hitch assembly may have been installed with nuts that were overtightened, which could cause the studs to break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the studs break, your trailer might detach from the vehicle while you're towing it, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Subaru will replace the nuts and inspect the studs for damage on your vehicle, free of charge, and the recall has already begun on October 7, 2014.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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