2015 Subaru Outback Driver assistance Problems

Vehicle Component Affected: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE / BACK OVER PREVENTION Description of the Safety Defect: The factory infotainment touchscreen in my 2015 Subaru Outback Limited (VIN: [XXX]) has suffered a severe manufacturing defect where the internal chemical gel adhesive has melted, creating large, oily liquid bubbles across the display. This physical degradation causes the screen to suffer from continuous "ghost touches," registering non-stop phantom inputs while the vehicle is in motion. This hardware failure creates three active, severe driving safety hazards: DANGEROUS OPERATOR DISTRACTION: The ghost-touching triggers a loud, high-pitched, non-stop audible dinging sound through the speakers that cannot be muted, severely compromising driver focus on the roadway. INOPERABLE NAVIGATION CONTROL: The system recently registered phantom touches that autonomously programmed a random destination into the factory GPS. The system then overrode all driver controls, preventing me from canceling the navigation instructions or turning off the screen audio while driving. OBSCURED BACKUP CAMERA VISIBILITY: The large, oily chemical delamination bubbles create a severe visual distortion on the screen. In direct or bright sunlight, the backup camera image is completely unreadable and obscured, creating an active striking hazard to pedestrians and vehicles behind me. This manufacturing defect began approximately in Jan 2023 and has gotten progressively worse over time, transitioning from minor cosmetic bubbling to severe, non-stop hardware malfunctions. This component failure is an active driving hazard that completely compromises driver attention and vehicle safety systems. Subaru of America is aware of this chemical breakdown across this generation of head units but is refusing to remedy the safety defect out of warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11751408

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

January 25th, 2026 13:30 I was coming to a stop at an intersection with my foot on the brake pedal when suddenly my vehicle lurched forward potentially causing rear end collision with the truck in front of me that was stopped at the red light. My vehicle finally came to a stop when I pressed hard on the brake pedal. This problem happened today, so I have not reproduced it. I have not had it checked by a dealer (today is Sunday) I have a Low Tire Pressure light that came on two days ago when the temperatures suddenly dropped here in Tulsa, OK.

NHTSA ID

11713284

Incident

Jan 25, 2026

A particular corner where the arterial has a y turn. With cruise engaged the vehicle will do the emergency braking even though the lane is clear. Has occurred several times at this same location.

NHTSA ID

11704294

Incident

Nov 22, 2025

I was within the town limits so I was driving slowly. When I approached the first stop light in town I saw that it was red. There were of three or four vehicles stopped at that light. At that point I was probably only going 5mph. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and put my foot on the brake to make a slow stop. Instead, the car accelerated rather quickly. I continued to brake but the car seemed to speed up. I was able to avoid hitting the truck in front of me by going around it. No vehicles were coming towards me but there were some stopped at the other side of the light. I drove up on the sidewalk to avoid hitting anyone. At that point the front passenger side of the car hit & snapped a pole. The car did not stop immediately upon impact. It stopped acclerating and came to a stop about 10 feet past the pole. I am not sure how fast the car was moving when it hit the pole but I was only going about 5 mph when I put my foot on the break. I would estimate the distance my car traveled from the moment I put my foot on the break until the car stopped was approximately 100-120 feet. It felt like the car went into the cruise resume mode and was trying to accelerate to a predetermined speed. I had not been using the cruise control that day but that is exactly what it felt like. There was one other time this year that the car lunged forward without using the gas pedal. It stopped quickly for me and I just assumed that I had hit the cruise resume button, although I also hadn't been using the cruise that day. The insurance company took the car to an impound lot two hours away. I am sure there has been no inspection and my insurance has not informed me of the status of having my car totaled or repaired. Because of the age of the car, and damage, they think it will be totaled. Yes, my safety and the safety of anyone near me was at risk. The car malfunctioned and the fact no one was hurt was miraculous. There were no warning messages before this accident.

NHTSA ID

11689049

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

When braking the car shuts down!!!

NHTSA ID

11662405

Incident

May 21, 2025

My HORN only works if car is stopped steering wheel turned to the left. Subaru Dealer says it’s in the steering column mechanism that affects airbag and cruise control also. Says it will cost over $600 to repair. If it preventsthe airbag working, wouldn’t it be a car defect and considered dangerous?

NHTSA ID

11641047

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while making a right turn into a parking space, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and lunged forward. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11609991

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Mileage

70,000 mi

My Subaru is equipped with "Eye Sight". The major safety device failed. It didn't even slow me down. I had a crash that involved two vehicles and my own. Both other vehicles were seriously damaged. Mine was totaled.

NHTSA ID

11574554

Incident

Nov 9, 2023

SVRD disabled

NHTSA ID

11528589

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE, NO ADAS FUNCTIONS AND MULTIPLE CODES AND HUD INDICATORS INCLUDING CKENGNE, XMODE FLASHING, ADAS DISABLE AND MAJOR ELECRTICAL PARASITIC DRAW AND TRANSMISSION AND OVERHEATING. I believe the past major leg relay was replaced during first recall, it was not performed correctly and tied into accesssorry aux into same wiring. defrost/ ac failure and clutch hums upon shutting down

NHTSA ID

11518655

Incident

May 22, 2020

while attempting to come to a complete stop, depressing the brakes, the vehicle continued to accelerate even though the brake was depressed to the floor. At no time was the driver's foot on the accelerator. This is one of 2 incidents with the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11496422

Incident

Dec 3, 2022

On my 2015 outback limited my SRVD off warning light is on and I have lost its function. I have not been in any kind of fender bender, it was taken to a state licensed shop and was told and have read in its Manuel it is a dealer repair issue. I have read other posts regarding same issue and the run around the dealer mechanics give to it’s customers. My car is available for inspection anytime if I do not incur a service charge!

NHTSA ID

11462537

Incident

Feb 26, 2022

While parking car in garage, car suddenly surged forward although my foot was off gas and nearly hit end of garage. Engine Temp was relatively cold as it had just been started. This has happened several times before. Reported to dealer service the first time it happened and they did not fix.

NHTSA ID

11457438

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

WE BUILT AND BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED: - A CONSTANT SUDDEN LOSS OF EYESIGHT SYSTEM WHILE CRUISING OR SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING WITH NO CRUISE CONTROL ON. -GAS RELEASE LEVER FREEZES UP AND WE HAVE TO FORCEFULLY USE A FLAT SCREWDRIVER TO UNLOCK THE GAS LID DOOR. -PRE COLLISION WARNING BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND PROPERLY: WE GOT SO MANY CLOSE CALLS. - ON MARCH, 2020 ; THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS : THE CAR SLED OFF AND ALMOST HIT A GUARD RAIL, SOON AFTER THAT ; THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TOO LOOSE /WOBBLY AND HAD A BIG GAP WHILE STEERING( ALMOST NO CONTROL OVER OUR CAR. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THE RECALIBRATED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED THE CAR FOR CORRECTIONS. -LAST WEDNESDAY, ON APRIL,14,2021: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM HOME, AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT INTERSECTION, WHILE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS GREEN AND SHE WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN TO GO HOME; HER STEERING WHEEL GOT FROZEN ON HER WHEN SHE WAS TURNING AND BY THE TIME SHE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REACT AND CONTROL THE CAR, HER CAR ALREADY CRASHED INTO THE PICK UP TRUCK THAT WAS WAITING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE INTO GREEN. THE WHOLE FRONT OF OUR SUBARU WAS CRASHED BUT NO PRE COLLISION BRAKES, AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AT ALL.LUCKILY, NOBODY GOT HURT ON BOTH SIDES. THE FIREFIGHTERS, THE SHERIFF , THE TROOPER AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO USED TO BE A COP WERE ALL FLABBERGASTED OF WHAT THEY SAW. WE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND OPENED A CASE, MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP ON MAY 6TH, 2021.WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.THEY SEEM WILLING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGES. WE FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THOSE ISSUES WERE ON RECALL BUT WE NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTIFICATION ABOUT THEM FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA AT ALL.THANK YOU Consumer stated dealer found nothing wrong with the car so consumer filed a complaint with federal trade commission and was given a case number [XXX].

NHTSA ID

11413124

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

Mileage

109,000 mi

TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND HIT THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED.I DIDNT WANT TO HIT THERE GARAGE OR MY SON IN LAWS CAR SO I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES AND AGAIN NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR HIT THE NEIGHBOR BUSH AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO REST WHEN IT HIT THE NEIGHBORS HONDA RIGHT DOOR. I THEN PUT IT DRIVE AND PULLED BACK ONTO MY DAUGHTERS DRIVEWAYS AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING THE VEHICLE. IT DID APPROX. $2200 DAMAGE TO MY SUBARU OUTBACK SENDING IT TO THE COLLISION SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS.

NHTSA ID

11387902

Incident

Dec 19, 2020

WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE CORNER. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS AND BLIND SPOT WARNING STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON

NHTSA ID

11376537

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK -- HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I'VE MENTIONED THIS TO THE STEVENS CREEK SAN JOSE DEALERSHIP WHEN TAKING MY CAR FOR MAINTENANCE, BUT THEY SAID THE BEHAVIOR IS AS INTENDED.

NHTSA ID

11361103

Incident

Sep 19, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA VIEW WAS BLOCKED BY THE SUNLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLARE WAS EVIDENT WHETHER THE SUN ROOF WAS OPENED OR CLOSED. THE GLARE PREVENTED THE DRIVER TO SEE CLEARLY WHAT WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SUBARU OF SAN BERNARDINO (645 AUTO CENTER DR, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408 (877) 501-8065) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11355345

Incident

Sep 2, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUBARU'S "EYE SIGHT" SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES PRE-COLLISION BRAKING AND IS INVOLVED WITH LANE DEPARTURE WARNING. THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM IN MY CAR IS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. SOMETIMES, THE SYSTEM BEGINS WORKING AGAIN, THEN TURNS OFF, TURNS ON, ETC. IF EYE SIGHT IS INOPERATIVE AS THE CAR COMES TO A FULL STOP, THE INOPERATIVE WARNING MESSAGE USUALLY DISAPPEARS, BUT THE MESSAGE RETURNS SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR BEGINS MOVING AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME THE CAR IS IN MOTION FOR THREE WEEKS.

NHTSA ID

11350346

Incident

Jul 28, 2020

Mileage

35,000 mi

FAILURE TO START. DEAD BATTERY FROM STATIONARY. ABOUT 5-6 TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11343485

Incident

Oct 18, 2019

Mileage

50,995 mi

ON FEBRUARY 25 I WAS DRIVING MY SUBARU ON A CITY STREET AND TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH. I NOTICED THAT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AHEAD OF ME WOULD BE TURNING RED SO I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN. THE POWER BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. NOT ONLY DID THE POWER BRAKES GO OUT BUT THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. I LOOKED AROUND FOR OPTIONS AND DECIDED I COULD TURN OFF INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES (NOT THE POWER BRAKES BUT THE BACK UP SYSTEM BRAKES) GRABBED JUST ENOUGH TO SLOW ME DOWN SO THAT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY INTO THE PARKING LOT. I DROVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT TO A PLACE WITH NO CARS AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE ENGINE RPMS REVVED UP TO 4000 SO THE CAR ENGINE WAS OBVIOUSLY STILL TRYING TO PROPEL THE CAR. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. WHEN HE CAME, HE GOT INTO THE CAR AND CHECKED THINGS LIKE THE CAR MAT POSITION WHICH WAS IN THE CORRECT PLACE. HE STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD GOT IT'S BRAIN BACK. HE DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT DID UPDATE OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN.

NHTSA ID

11316723

Incident

Feb 25, 2020

Mileage

42,000 mi

I'VE HAD MY 2015 OUTBACK FOR 3 YEARS NOW (2020 NOW) I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. THE FIRST YEAR I BELIEVED IT WAS TIME FOR A NEW BATTERY, WITHIN 6 MONTHS MY CAR DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND I HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE IT. MY MECHANIC TOOK APART MY ENGINE AND DISCOVERED LOOSE SEALS THAT HAD ALLOWED MANY PARTS TO RUST OVER INCLUDING BROKEN BRACKETS AND A TORQUE CONVERTER. WARRANTY WON'T COVER ANY RUST BUT DID COVER THE $84 BROKEN SEAL. I SPENT CLOSE TO $3,000 ON REPAIRS AND A NEW BATTERY THEN. I WAS INITIALLY QUOTED FROM THE DEALERSHIP $6K. IT HAS BEEN 11 MONTHS AND I LEFT MY CAR ALONE FOR 3 DAYS AND THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD ONCE AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11307505

Incident

Feb 18, 2019

Mileage

19,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED STOHLMAN SUBARU OF STERLING (21736 AUTO WORLD CIR, STERLING, VA 20166, (888) 811-7714) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11288897

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi

TAKATA INFLATORS. WHILE DRIVING WE NOTICED THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM STOPPED FUNCTIONING, IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE OR ENGAGE. WE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE WE STARTED UP AND ONCE ON THE ROAD IT WAS WORKING FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO THEN STOPPED AGAIN. THEN THE ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH OTHER INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE CALLED A MECHANIC AND ADVISED WE BRING IT IN, WHICH WE DID. HE SAID THE SPEED SENSOR IS BAD (PART #27540AL11B) WHICH CAUSED OTHER LIGHTS TO COME ON AND SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHERE WE DRIVE WHICH IS IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS. HE ORDERED PART BUT WAS TOLD THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND MAY BE AVAILABLE ON APRIL 2, 2019. OUR CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE MARCH 8TH, THIS IS SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE. THE CAR HAS APPROX 58K MILES ON IT. WOULD THIS NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11192142

Incident

Mar 5, 2019

Mileage

58,000 mi

THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT SPEED AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT IS NOT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CLEAR AND IT WAS NOT RAINING. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WHICH THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE.

NHTSA ID

11062145

Incident

Jan 11, 2018

Mileage

16,000 mi