2015 Subaru Outback parts and specs

What changed for the 2015 Subaru Outback

• 2015Full redesign: all-new FB25, 3.6R moves to CVT, EyeSight driver-assist available for the first time on Outback

Known problems with the 2015 Subaru Outback

4 of the 5 issues we track for the 2015–2019 generation are documented against the 2015 model year, and 3 carry a recall or service bulletin.

• CVT chain slip, shudder, or failure

  majorTSB 16-95-15; Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension)

  Owners report intermittent shudder, hesitation, RPM flare without a matching speed increase, or outright CVT failure, most often traced to chain slip (Subaru TSB 16-95-15). It's frequent enough that Subaru extended CVT coverage on many 2015 model-year vehicles (and separately on 2019–2020 vehicles) to 10 years/100,000 miles under a customer support program, call Subaru with your VIN to check eligibility before paying out of pocket.

  Typical cost: Free if within the 10-yr/100k CVT warranty extension; $3,500–$5,500 for a CVT replacement otherwise

• FB25 oil consumption (2015 model year, class action)

  minorYaegar v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 1:14-cv-04490 (D.N.J.)

  The Yaegar v. Subaru of America oil-consumption settlement's coverage window (2011–2015 FB-engine vehicles) extends into the first year of this generation. 2015 Outbacks with the FB25 that burn oil faster than Subaru's acceptable threshold qualify for the same extended 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on oil-consumption repairs described in the BR generation's entry.

  Typical cost: Covered under the settlement's extended warranty if still within 8 yr/100k mi

• Starlink infotainment freezes and screen delamination

  minor

  The touchscreen freezes, reboots, loses Bluetooth pairing, or (on some units) develops a delaminated/bubbling screen. Software updates fix some cases; a delaminated screen needs head-unit replacement, which can run into the thousands out of warranty.

  Typical cost: $0 (software update) to $2,000+ (head unit replacement, delamination)

• Parasitic battery drain (class action settlement)

  moderateIn re Subaru Battery Drain Products Liability Litigation, No. 1:20-cv-03095-JHR-MJS (D.N.J.)

  A defective electrical system can prevent one or more control modules from entering a low-power sleep state, slowly draining the 12V battery even when the car is off and sometimes leaving owners stranded. In re Subaru Battery Drain Products Liability Litigation settled with an extended warranty for qualifying battery failures on 2015–2020 Outback (and related Forester/Legacy/Ascent/WRX) models.

  Typical cost: Covered under the settlement's extended warranty for qualifying failures; $150–$300 for an out-of-warranty battery replacement (doesn't fix the root cause)

Full detail, costs and sources on the Subaru Outback problems and years to avoid guide.