What's Wrong with the 6th Generation (2015–2019) Outback?

Outback owners have made 382 complaints about the 2015–2019 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 36th out of 38 Subaru generations in overall reliability, with real electrical and windows concerns.

Compare With Other Outback Generations

Common 2015-2019 Subaru Outback Problems

Some of the worst issues 6th generation Outback owners have to deal with.

  1. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Subaru…

    Continue reading article "Denso Fuel Pump Failure"

  2. CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery

    Too many owners of newer Subaru vehicles are waking up to cars that won't start due to dead batteries. The batteries aren't defective, but just lack the capacity to handle the electrical system draw particularly while the vehicle is turned …

    Continue reading article "CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery" Overhead view of the battery inside a Subaru engine

  3. Unintended Acceleration

    An increasing number of Subaru owners say their vehicles will inexplicably surge forward when the vehicle is stopped and their foot is on the brake. The unintended acceleration incidents often happen as the driver tries to shift the trans…

    Continue reading article "Unintended Acceleration" Smashed front hood of a gray Subaru

  4. Cracked Windshields

    Since 2015 there has been a surge in complaints about Subaru windshields that crack spontaneously. Many believe this is due to a design switch to 'acoustic glass.' Owners want compensation from Subaru because windshield replacements come wi…

    Continue reading article "Cracked Windshields" Image from inside the a 2016 Forester cabin showing a large horizontal crack along the bottom of the windshield.

  5. Subaru STARLINK Problems

    STARLINK is Subaru's latest infotainment system. It heavily relies on a touch screen interface that freezes randomly, stops responding to touch inputs, and sometimes requires the car to be shut off for over an hour before it starts working …

    Continue reading article "Subaru STARLINK Problems" An infotainment screen with StarLink's toucnscreen interface loaded.

  6. Lineartronic CVT Reliability

    Once praised for its design, Subaru's CVT is showing problems with age. It can shake occupants back and forth as it wobbles its way though gears. In extreme cases it can hesitate so much it causes the engine to stall, forcing Subaru to exte…

    Continue reading article "Lineartronic CVT Reliability"

  7. Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in many Subaru vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs but Subaru, like other automakers, insists this isn't a def…

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires" A very fat mouse.

  8. Subaru EyeSight Problems

    Subaru's EyeSight technology has been known to fall asleep on the job, particularly in bad weather driving. And while newer versions have improved, the system is generally regarded as bulky and an overly expensive upgrade on higher trim lev…

    Continue reading article "Subaru EyeSight Problems" Image looking through the windshield towards a pair of EyeSight cameras flanking the rearview mirror.

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

6th Generation (2015–2019) Outback Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 382 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 36th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 38 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 6th Generation Outback Owners

  • Partially dismissed

    Tomasian, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1. Partially dismissed

      After being consolidated with another lawsuit, the case was partially dismissed because some of the plaintiffs do not allege their vehicles continued to have problems once Subaru made repairs.

    2. Case Filed

      Subaru dead battery problems have caused a lawsuit that alleges 2016-2020 Subaru Outback and 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent SUVs are equipped with batteries that drain and die.

  • Partially dismissed

    Dalen, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Partially dismissed

      After being consolidated with another lawsuit, the case was partially dismissed because some of the plaintiffs do not allege their vehicles continued to have problems once Subaru made repairs.

    2. Case Filed

      A class-action lawsuit was filed because of battery problems in certain Subaru vehicles because the automaker's decision to install batteries with insufficient capacity to power the vehicle's electrical components when turned off.

  • Sampson, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Subaru class action lawsuit includes 2013-2021 vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB), which includes pre-collision braking and reverse automatic braking. Additionally, the lawsuit includes 2013-2021 Subaru vehicles equipped with lane keep assist (LKA).

  • Settled

    Khona et al v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1:19-cv-09323

    1. Settled

      Subaru has agreed to settle a cracked windshield lawsuit for 2015-2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicle owners and lessees.

    2. Case Filed

      The plaintiffs allege Subaru "fraudulently misrepresented the nature and scope" of the windshield problem in 2015 when the automaker extended the warranty from three years to five years for the windshields, based on technical service bulletin (TSB) 12-192-15.

  • Partially dismissed

    Powell, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1. Partially dismissed

      A Subaru windshield lawsuit has been partly dismissed after a federal judge ruled several claims made by Subaru owners weren't sufficiently pleaded.

    2. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges 2017-2019 Subaru Forester and 2017-2019 Subaru Outback vehicles are equipped with windshields that suddenly chip, crack and break. Subaru allegedly refuses to pay for repairs even when the vehicles are under warranties, leaving owners and lessees with paying for windshield replacements.

    Problem
    Cracked Windshields
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 Forester
    • 2017-2020 Outback
    • 2017-2020 Crosstrek
    • 2017-2020 Legacy
    • 2017-2020 Impreza
    Location
    New Jersey

  • Bare, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1:2021cv00478

    1. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges Subaru Forester, Legacy and Outback vehicles in California have defects that cause sudden unintended acceleration problems. Included in the California class action lawsuit are the 2015-2019 Subaru Legacy, 2012-2018 Subaru Forester and 2015-2019 Subaru Outback which allegedly have software problems.

  • Motion to dismiss

    Leon, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      In a motion to dismiss the Subaru windshield class action, lawyers for the automaker say the plaintiffs can't support their claims.

    2. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges the glass chips, cracks and breaks within weeks or a few months of purchasing these vehicles. According to the plaintiffs, customers say the windshields crack and break from simple and light impacts to the glass, a problem no Subaru owner expects to experience on an expensive vehicle.

    Problem
    Cracked Windshields
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 Outback
    • 2017-2020 Forester
    • 2017-2020 Crosstrek
    • 2017-2020 Impreza
    • 2017-2020 Legacy
    • 2019-2020 Ascent
    Location
    California

Recent 6th Generation (2015–2019) Outback News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. The lawsuit against Subaru's crappy windshields will move forward after partially surviving the automaker's motion to dismiss.

    The windhsields crack and chip at an alarming rate, but Subaru doesn't cover replacements under warranty if the issue is due to a defect. According to them the warranty only covers material or workmanship issues. Strange position to take, but ok.

    While a few allegations were removed due to legal technacilities, the judge said dismissing the case entirely at this point would be premature.…

    keep reading article "Subaru Windshield Lawsuit Survives Motion to Dismiss"

  6. Subaru vehicles are accelerating on their own and the automaker's claim that owners are to blame isn't going over well.

    A new class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of owners with cars that may have unintended acceleration problems. This includes the 2012-2018 Forester, 2015-2019 Legacy, and 2015-2019 Outback.

    One of the lead plaintiffs says they were driving slowly with the foot on the brake pedal, and as they were about to shift into PARK the vehicle surged forward causing a collision.…

    keep reading article "Owners File a Class-Action Lawsuit Over Subaru's Unintended Acceleration Problems"

  11. A lawsuit filed in New Jersey is tired of waiting around for software updates to Subaru’s STARLINK system to solve any of the wide ranging problems owners are experiencing.

    Subaru customers also complain about turning off the engines with the Starlink screens frozen, resulting in drained batteries that strand drivers. In addition, there is a clear and present safety issue if a driver relies on a frozen backup camera screen believing the image is in real time.…

    keep reading article "Subaru Sued After Multiple STARLINK Updates Have Failed to Make System Usable"

  12. After some prodding, Subaru has decided to extend the warranty on their Lineartronic CVT.

    A Subaru transmission warranty extension has been issued for 2010-2015 Legacy and Outback, 2012-2015 Impreza, 2013-2015 Crosstrek, 2014-2015 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2014-2015 Forester and 2015 WRX vehicles, all equipped with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).

    However, it’s a limited time offer. Inspections or repairs need to be completed by July 31, 2018.

    keep reading article "Subaru Extends Their CVT Warranty, but it’s a Limited Time Offer"

What Outback Owners Say About This Generation

Defects in the Subaru's Electrical System Constantly Drain the Underpowered Batteries

This is the third time I have had to deal with a dead battery for the car. I don't drive it often, and the car runs absolutely fine when the battery is actually working, but the battery dies on its own which leads me to believe that it's somehow draining on its own. There has got to be a recall about this soon.

2018 Outback Owner

Defects in the Subaru's Electrical System Constantly Drain the Underpowered Batteries

The battery has drained down twice in the same week. Car is only 6 months old. Nothing plugged in. Very annoying. I had Subaru Roadside Assistance tow it 45 miles to nearest dealer. We will see what happens. Clearly a defect in the 2019 Subaru Outback.

2019 Outback Owner

Too Many Subarus Suffer From Spotaneously Cracked Windshields

Six days after I bought a 2019 Subaru Outback, I noticed a crack developing from the top on the driver's side, close to the middle of the car. I thought it was a small streak of water at first. But as it didn't dry, I realized the windshield had cracked. I didn't see or hear anything hit it. No trucks around, and the road was smooth, free of debris.

2019 Outback Owner in SC