2015 SUBARU OUTBACK

STEERING:COLUMN

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.

Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Risk: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car unable to restart after sitting for several days. Battery and charging system test good after incident

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

When braking the car shuts down!!!

SUSPENSION

When braking the car shuts down!!!

SERVICE BRAKES

When braking the car shuts down!!!

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Within the last few months, my 2015 Outback has been unreliable with the fuel gauge indicator, causing me to run out of gas three times, stranded roadside, with supposedly 30 miles in rank. Fortunately, there were no accidents, but two out of three times, I was left stranded on highways, that put me at risk of being struck.

SUSPENSION

The front subframe on my 2015 subaru 3.6r has rapidly rusted in a few years to the point of a safety concern. The vehicle is lightly driven, with 91,000 miles on it after almost 10 years. We live in the Northeast. I take this car in for regular inspections and service every six months and the service center I work with has not alerted me of any issues until this past march when they found the subframe almost completely rotted in the middle. Subaru has had similar issues subject to recalls for the rear subframe. Notably, my rear subframe does not have this issue. Evidence is available that this is exact issue is happening to many cars in this generation, found upon scanning forums such as reddit [XXX] and the subaruoutback.org owners forum [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STRUCTURE:BODY

The front subframe on my 2015 subaru 3.6r has rapidly rusted in a few years to the point of a safety concern. The vehicle is lightly driven, with 91,000 miles on it after almost 10 years. We live in the Northeast. I take this car in for regular inspections and service every six months and the service center I work with has not alerted me of any issues until this past march when they found the subframe almost completely rotted in the middle. Subaru has had similar issues subject to recalls for the rear subframe. Notably, my rear subframe does not have this issue. Evidence is available that this is exact issue is happening to many cars in this generation, found upon scanning forums such as reddit [XXX] and the subaruoutback.org owners forum [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Yesterday, my car would not start due to a dead battery. This happened last week, as well. Both times, my husband used a battery charger to enable me to start my car. I have had this issue multiple times in the past, as well, and previously replaced the battery in 2022. I am also aware of a previous class action lawsuit, and several customer complaints about parasitic drain and poor battery performance in the 2015 Subaru Outbacks. Continuing to replace the battery is not only costly and bad for the environment, it doesn't solve the problem. There is some flaw in the electrical design of this car and Subaru needs to address the root cause. I am very concerned that I am going to be stranded somewhere in unsafe conditions, or not have my car available to me when I need to get to a critical appointment or respond to an emergency. This is unacceptable.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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?

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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?

AIR BAGS

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?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Exhaust manifold bellows crack Exhaust coming into car when idling

STRUCTURE:BODY

Driver door interior, de-bonding of the horizontal crash protection from the outer door panel. Online research indicates this is a common issue.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My sunroof glass just shattered spontaneously while I was driving. Thankfully the door was closed or me and my daughter would have been showered by glass while in the road. Nothing hit the car , I just heard a loud bang over my heard and when I stopped to see what happened my sunroof was in pieces!

STRUCTURE:BODY

My sunroof glass just shattered spontaneously while I was driving. Thankfully the door was closed or me and my daughter would have been showered by glass while in the road. Nothing hit the car , I just heard a loud bang over my heard and when I stopped to see what happened my sunroof was in pieces!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery fails repeatedly even after several battery replacements and dealer fixing the software at a hefty cost, presumable to make sure the battery is charging. My insurance company (State Farm) dropped my roadside assistance coverage after repeated requests to get help to start the car. I continuously dread and fear that the car will not start after a drive to the grocery store. I dear not think about using the car to take a trip away from home. I bought jump starters and now take one with me every time I consider driving this car. God forbid it drains outs before I get back to the house to recharge it, which has happened and ended up bigging a stranger to jump start my car. It is a shame that this reputable company can sell a car that has this problem, that could be easily fixed which seems to be not a problem for other manufacturers.