What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Subaru Outback Wilderness

Outback 2015 Windshield cracked with no obvious reason even at about 30 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11445193

On four occasions over the past five months my car needed a jump start for no apparent reason. I had a new Subaru battery installed last July, and a check up at a Subaru dealer last month which found no problems with the battery or alternator. I recently read about a battery drainage problem that other owners of this model have been experiencing as well.

NHTSA ODI 11445165

I have had to have my battery replaced almost every year since I bought this car and there is always a large amount or corrosion no matter how often I clean it. I just read that this has been a known issue of Subaru. I literally just had the dealership in late November tell me at an oil change that I needed to replace my battery. When I informed them that I had just replaced it in February of of this year when I stopped for gas in the middle of the Texas winter storm and my car would not start back up (That battery was only about a year and a half old), they blamed the cold weather and suddenly backpedaled saying it just seemed low so I should keep an eye on it. Yesterday, my car took two tries to start so I am going to have the battery tested again but this means I haven't even gotten a full years worth out of it.

NHTSA ODI 11444711

Engine consistently burns oil. Adding pints between factory recommended oil change interval when low oil light comes on. On average, one pint is burned every 1500 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11444473

Repeated dead batteries. Replaced OEM battery in year 2, new battery also comes up dead regularly. There is clearly a parasitic battery drain happening. Burning oil, this car burns more oil than any car I have ever owned. Subaru claims it is within specification, but their specification is 1 quart between changes, this is a ridiculous claim in 2021. Heat shield and exhaust noise. Always a new noise or exhaust leak. Lights are not adequate for country driving, it is dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11443769

Our car has electrical / battery problems. It frequently will not start on its own. We have to jump start the battery about once a month, sometimes more frequently. The primary driver commutes 120 miles at least once a week (60 miles each way), thus we should not have issues with battery drain, but we do. We replaced the battery 1 year ago and the problem still remains. The battery also drains quite quickly, for example, last week we had the back lift gate open for 15 - 20 minutes while we were in and out of the house packing up the car with all the things I needed for a work event. When we were ready to go, the car wouldn't start. This has happened to us multiple times camping in the past. Because we have had so many problems with our car starting, we keep a small battery generator charged and in the car so we can jumpstart our car if needed. Without this device, we would have been stranded in the back country tens of miles away from civilization with no cell service and no ability to get home. We've started keeping all the lights off inside the car to see if that helps, It hasn't, even with no lights on inside the car the battery has drained while packing up our car for a trip. The dealership replaced the battery in 2020 and said that was the problem, they have not looked for "parasitic drain" despite our complaints. There is no warning when this will happen, no lights appear or messages. This has been an ongoing problem that started in 2019 that continues to this day. Our safety has been put at risk multiple times with this problem by potentially leaving us completely stranded in the woods, at night in urban environments, and has prevented us from getting to work on time. I've read on numerous forums that this has been a problem with the CANs systems in this model. Please investigate.

NHTSA ODI 11441062

local mechanic doing standard maintenence at 62,861 miles, checking high rpms at startup, noticed that the crankshaft pully was moving up and down , slight variance , when it should be straight. apparently a recall issue on 2016 outbacks.

NHTSA ODI 11440007

My 2015 Subaru Outback has continually experienced random battery drain. I have replaced the battery 3 times since purchasing the car from a dealership in 2017. In all cases, there was no advanced warning indicating that the battery was low, the car had been driven regularly with an average amount of mileage and no lights were left on nor was there extreme weather. Most recently (11/7/2021) the tailgate was up with the car off for 30-45 minutes. It was jump started, we made it home and the next morning it had zero power. That last battery was purchased in April of 2021. The car is regularly maintained by the dealer and/or a certified mechanic.

NHTSA ODI 11439800

I previously wrote to you back in mid-Sept. 2021. It was a problem with battery drainage on my Outback and the fact that many other Subaru owners were having the same problem. #[XXX] was the case # that I was assigned. I have never heard from anyone at the NHTSA I don't want to repeat everything that I previously stated. I would appreciate a response as enough time has elapsed. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11437276

On multiple occasions the battery completely dies over night for no apparent reason and with no warning. Nothing that draws power was left on. This is a hazard as we can be stuck someplace with no way to start our car. The battery and alternator always check out as normal (by local mechanic), yet it keeps dying to the point that there are no dash lights, horn, emergency blinker or anything else functioning. Most recently I can't even jump start the Outback. Some design defect, (electronic/ computer) is causing the vehicles' battery to drain quickly which renders the car inoperable.

NHTSA ODI 11435250

Vehicle had recent periodic service performed prior to event at Gwinette Subaru, Gwinette, GA. Vehicle currently has 54K miles. The Vehicle was purcashed this year as a Dealer Certified pe-owned vehicle. While leaving the Walmart parkinglot and entering a busy intesection I lost control of the vehicle steering and I her severe knocking sounds against body of vehicle I barley was able to drive vehicle out of traffic. When I tried to exit Vehicle the driver's door would not open. I exited from the passenger door and walked around vehicle and found that my driver side tire was up aginst fender and had pust fender up agains driver door. the tire was at wired angle . When the tow truc arrived the technician removed the tire in order to move vehicle. Once tire was removed it was obvious that there was a catostrophic steering Ball Joint failure. the vehicle was taken to Gwinette Subaru where they denied it being a component failure and treated me as if it was my fault. The car did not collide with anything not have I hit any potholes to cause this failure. Gwinette Subuaru failed to take proper steps to report this component failure, But I am and will be contacting The State of Georgia Public Safety. I was actually on my way to Interstate 85 a very congested Interstate that moves at about 75-80 mph. I could of been Killed at that speed and worse there would of been multiple cars involved in a collision. Please Help Me! Damage was estimated at $4016.75

NHTSA ODI 11434848

This car has repeatedly drained the battery when completely off. I have replaced the battery thinking it was a faulty battery, only to have this occur repeatedly with a new battery. I am certain the doors are shut, lights are off, car is off and locked and nothing I have left on is in anyway draining the battery. I have even experienced this when driving the car for an hour, parking it for 30 minutes and coming back to a dead battery. The battery drops to 5v and car won’t start. The battery does charge and holds 13.5v. This is not an error with the battery as I have replaced the battery.

NHTSA ODI 11434465

While driving at highway speed and traveling over about 6 hours, the car simply shut off. We were traveling on the highway in the passing lane. Without warning the car began to slow down rapidly, no dash lights on, but the engine was off. We managed to cross two lanes of traffic without power assist and once on the shoulder and slowing down, the engine lights all came on. Once fully stopped, we turned the car off, waited a few seconds and restarted. We were then able to complete our trip without difficulty. This has happened twice. The dealer has done full diagnostics twice but has been unable to find the problem. We have heard that other year Subaru outbacks have been recalled for this problem but our year isn't included.

NHTSA ODI 11434112

I proudly purchased my 2015 Subaru Outback, new, in April 2015. I currently have less than 18,000 miles on it. During the time I have owned my Outback, I have had to replace the battery 5 times, through no fault of my own. Subaru USA and my Subaru dealership say that I do not drive it enough. B/S. I have done some research online and have found many other Subaru owners who are constantly having battery problems and dead batteries. I understand some have filed a Class Action Suit. The problem appears to be that the battery drains down on a regular basis. Now when I put my car in my garage at night, I turn the headlights off completely, the radio off, the A/C off, and I do not set my parking brake for fear all of the above will drain my battery overnight. I am even afraid to set my car alarm. I have had to call AAA each time the battery has gone COMPLETELY DEAD. They are tired of seeing me. Fortunately for me, each time the battery has died, I was at home and my car in the garage. I am a senior citizen who is afraid my battery will die when I am not close to home. I purchased a Subaru because of its so-called reliability. I am tired of Subaru giving me the runaround and trying to make it look as though I am the problem. I, for the life of me, don't understand how this problem has been swept under the rug by Subaru for so LONG. When I chose the Outback, I had done my homework and went first to the LA Auto Show and the Outback, back then, appeared to be my dream car, which has turned into a nightmare for me. I had a Sienna for 15 years and only replaced the battery twice. PLEASE have your staff seriously look into this Subaru battery drainage problem. I am certainly not alone with this problem. Each time I go to start up my Outback, I have to hold my breath and keep my finger and toes crossed. Subaru USA has given me little or no answer to my problem. My dealership again tells me I have to drive more. The other Subaru owners must not drive enough!!!

NHTSA ODI 11433007

I have had to change my car battery three times in four years. A couple times it seemed like my battery went bad soon after having service on my car even though my battery tested okay and given a green symbol. The last date I had to replace the battery is below.

NHTSA ODI 11433147

This car has had 5 batteries. The charging system tests fine. It’s not safe.

NHTSA ODI 11432937

On 8/25/21, during servicing, I was informed by the Subaru dealer who has always serviced my car that the driver's side head gasket was starting to go bad. The car had 54,108 miles on it and was 6 years and 5 months old. It had always been driven under normal conditions, on public roads, and 100% of the servicing had been performed by the Subaru dealer who sold me the car, which I bought new. In addition, I had never used the car for towing. Under the circumstances, it seemed indefensible that the head gasket should be going bad. It's a very expensive repair. The engine in question is the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder.

NHTSA ODI 11432820

Bought 2016 model December 29, 2015. Battery consistently drains. It has had at least 3 replacement batteries in 5 years. Car has less than 46k miles on it. Had to get jump started twice within a two week period, with a battery from February of 2020. Battery issues 3/2018 26k miles 2/2020 37k miles 8/2021 45k miles 9/2021 45k miles

NHTSA ODI 11431457

i will be purchasing my 4th battery, this seems to be an issue people are having with this 2015 outback. I maintain my car and garage store it and I continue to have dead batteries that need to be replaced, I am not leaving any interior or exterior lights on either.

NHTSA ODI 11431437

I have to replace my battery 1-2 x year, possibly due to Parasitic draw. No lights have been left on, nor anything electrical when the car is shut off. Between batteries, I often have to jump my car to start it. I have been stranded places and I am in constant fear my car will not start.

NHTSA ODI 11429709

My vehicle was purchased in September 2014. Approximately the night of March 9, 2017 my daughter apparently turned on a dome light, which remained on the rest of the night. My car had approximately 45k miles on it. The next day I attempted to start the car, nothing happened. The battery was so dead that even connecting to another vehicle for 20 minutes resulted in no change. I purchased a new battery on 3/10/2017. On 7/10/2021 with approximately 100,000 miles I was at an airport for pickup. I turned my car off upon arrival and waited for 30 - 40 minutes with the key in the ignition. I think that resulted in some lights remaining on. When I attempted to start my car to depart the airport it gave an indication of attempting to start but there was not enough power to facilitate the action. I needed to briefly connect my car to another for enough power to start the vehicle, which has run apparently fine since. Now I have to be vigilant to ensure no internal lights are on for more than a few minutes regardless of situation. Recently I read this article, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/dead-batteries-new-subaru-lawsuit-claims-least-five-models-defective-batteries/, which seems to be the situation I am in. It seems that two batteries in a period of 7 years and approximately 102,000 miles seems a bit excessive. A non-technical analysis leads me to think either Subaru is not putting an adequate power supply in at least their Outbacks, maybe other models based on at least the linked article, or something is wrong with the electrical management system resulting in drains on the battery resulting in significantly shorter battery life than found on other vehicles, which results in additional cost to consumers to replace batteries assuming they die at a convenient time and other costs are not incurred.

NHTSA ODI 11427135

Bought this car used with low miles in 2019 from a Subaru dealership. We have had intermittent issues dating back to late 2019, where returning to the car find that the battery is dead when we went to start it. It usually happens when the vehicle was left for 4 hours or more, although not always. After reading several reports of the same issue, we are going to try a new, larger battery.

NHTSA ODI 11426979

We called Subaru Roadside Assistance Sunday, July 25, 2021 because the Subaru lost power, as though it were out of gas, but the gage showed we had over an eighth of a tank. We mentioned this to the roadside assistant Rep. several times. She took our cell and credit card #s and said she ordered us a tow truck. I asked if the driver will have a gas can with. She said, "Well do you need a tow or fuel". Again we repeated we didn't know and explained again what happened. She said it would be 60-90 minutes. It was 94 degrees, we had no water, no shade, it was horrible. After 90 minutes still nobody came. We called again to see how much longer it would be. COME TO FIND OUT, THEY DIDN'T SEND ANYONE!!!. They said they didn't know if we needed a toe or fuel, so they didn't send anyone, didn't call, NOTHING. They said it would be another 90 minutes. We told them to forget it, hung up and went to a nearby house and the guy gave us a bottle of water and from a gas can, provided us enough gas to get to the next gas station 11 miles away. I tried calling subaru headquarters to report the issue and to let them know if our credit card was charged, they need to reimburse it since we did not receive service, but I was on hold for so long, I hung up and emailed them - 3 times and I NEVER heard anything back from them. So here I am reporting to not rely on their gas gage and reporting a safety concern that they would leave people in massive heat, probably would in the terrible cold as well. They do not call to let you know that nobody is coming. Subaru roadside assistance is one big joke. Subaru service is a big joke because obviously they don't care since they never responded to any of my emails. Needless to say, we will never call their roadside assistance again and will NEVER buy a subaru again since they have shown lack of interest. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11426813

Car stalled, could not take out of gear; could not restart, could not set emergency brake, couldn’t turn key to restart. Finally a light came on that said hatch was open. Could not operate hatch from inside car. Jumped out hatch was closed. Opened and reclosed. Car started rolling. Ran to jump in and apply manual brake. I’m 85 years old. Very dangerous situation. Consumer stated AAA batteries failed several times. Vehicle was taken to a dealer for electrical failure.

NHTSA ODI 11426864

I have a parasitic drain on my battery and I have replaced the battery 3 times. It seems my battery is not the issue, but I am constantly stranded on the road and the dealership just replaces the battery. This last replacement I did at a separate shop on 5/10/2021 because my battery needed to be replaced and I thought putting in a different battery would help. Today (7/21/2021), my car will not start again. This shouldn't happen with a new battery and I don't think it's right that Subaru is not doing anything about this issue. It started happening within the first 3 years I owned this vehicle, when it was under warranty. Their solution was to replace the battery and not actually fix the real issue. This is not okay. I drive this car regularly and there is no reason why my battery should die constantly.

NHTSA ODI 11425823