The 2015 Subaru Outback only lasts around 150,000 miles with widespread engine and electrical issues. At $14,975 to $18,725, it’s cheaper than average, but still not worth it when you’ll spend a lot of money on repairs as it ages.
Is the 2015 Subaru Outback a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – 2015 is a bad year for the Subaru Outback since there are serious reliability issues with the engine, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about high engine repair costs, brake issues, as well as worn-out wheel bearings.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice, the seats are comfortable & hold up well over time, while cargo space is less than other midsize SUVs.
- Reliability 4/10 – There are widespread engine & electrical problems on the 2015 Outback. Buyers should avoid models from 2013–2018 which all have issues. Models from 2019–2022 are more reliable choices.
- Performance 6/10 – The base 4-cylinder engine is extremely weak for a midsize SUV while the V6 has decent power, although the towing capacity is still low.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2015 Outback is a safe SUV earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety features include a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include Subaru EyeSight with adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, along with collision warning systems.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 28 MPG giving 518 miles of range from the 18.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $60 lower than average at $199 per month.
- Value 6/10 – Although the Outback is cheaper than some other midsize SUVs, the high ownership costs make it a bad long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Subaru Outback?
- Consumer Reports says the 2015 Outback is a nice middle ground between an SUV and a wagon, although it has lower than average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Outback a 3.9/5 enjoying the spacious interior, but doesn’t like the weaker 4-cylinder engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Outback at 4.5/5, praising the excellent all-wheel-drive system, however, owners don’t like the lower than average towing capacity.
What Common Problems Does the 2015 Subaru Outback Have?
Common problems found on the 2015 Subaru Outback include excessive oil consumption, the engine failing to start, as well as cracked windshields. Overall, these problems are more severe than other midsize SUVs, leading to larger repair bills as they age.
Excessive oil consumption is a widespread complaint from Outback owners at around 85,000 miles. There are gaskets which wear out throughout the engine. Other owners have had problems with the pistons, valves, and connecting rods. Fixing the problem can cost around $600 for new gaskets to over $3,000 for a complete engine rebuild.
The engine failing to start shows up on a lot of Outback models in the first 35,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a bad starter relay. Changing out the starter relay costs around $250, depending on local labor rates. Other owners have replaced the stock battery with a larger one costing about $300.
Cracked windshields are another frequent problem mentioned by owners at around 20,000 miles. The original glass in the Outback is weaker than in other midsize SUVs, making it more susceptible to cracking with small stone chips. Replacing the windshield costs $500 to $700.
There are 5 serious recalls on the 2015 Subaru Outback, leading the NHTSA to issue a “do not drive” warning. The most serious recall covers the steering column which can fail, leading to a complete loss of steering. Subaru will replace the column for free on affected models. Other recalls cover the stability control system, as well as collision mitigation technology.
How Long Will the 2015 Subaru Outback Last?
A well-maintained 2015 Subaru Outback should last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $577 per year.
Since nearly all 2015 Outback models on the market have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C compressor for $800, injectors which cost around $450, as well as the body control module, which can cost over $1,100.
Yes, it is reliable. No major fixes. I am very happy with it. Only have 36,000 miles but expect to get over 150,000.
So far, my Subaru has been very reliable. I have not had any major issues, aside from a dead battery that was my own fault (interior light left on, with a battery that was likely needing to be replaced anyway due to age).
So far it is very reliable and safe. We have had no major problems but keep up with required maintenance.
Very reliable. Use for uber. Comfortable back seating and Like the console between the front seats. The back area is spacious enough for several large dogs
I've had some minor electronic issues that I've been told are common to Subarus (my car insisting that the cruise control is on when it isn't)
Yes, very reliable. It drives very securely in any type of bad weather like snow, ice, heavy rain. I haven't not any mechanical issues up until this point in time.
The 2015 Subaru Outback is very reliable; there are no problems to report. All special gimmicks work 100% of the time and well.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2015 Subaru Outback with a standard 6.2-inch touchscreen stereo system as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Safety technology is much better than average with a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include Subaru EyeSight which has collision warning, automatic braking, along with adaptive cruise control systems.
Is the 2015 Subaru Outback a Good Value?
No, the 2015 Subaru Outback is not a good value since there are costly engine problems. Blue book prices range from $14,975 to $18,725, making it cheaper than a Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $24,895 to $32,995. Depreciation is worse than average, losing 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Subaru Outback?
There are four models of the Subaru Outback offered in 2015, from the base 2.5i all the way to the more powerful 3.6R Limited.
2.5i is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 2-Inch Touchscreen
- 4-Speaker Stereo System
2.5i Premium is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Fog Lights
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Dual Zone Climate Control
- Heated Front Seats
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- 6-Speaker Stereo
2.5i Limited has more features such as:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Power Liftgate
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Heated Rear Seats
- 9-Speaker Harmon Kardon Stereo
3.6R Limited is the flagship model with:
- Xenon Headlights
- Premium Leather Seating
- Wood Interior Trim
- Optional Subaru EyeSight Safety System
What Engines Come In the Subaru Outback?
- The base engine in the 2015 Subaru Outback is an average 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 175 horsepower while getting up to 28 MPG.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 3.6L 6-cylinder which produces 256 horsepower at up to 22 MPG. Performance is okay, taking 7.5 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Subaru Outback Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Subaru Outback?
The 2015 Subaru Outback is a comfortable midsize SUV with seating for up to 5 people. Seating is very nice, offering supportive cushions as well as high-quality cloth and leather options.
Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin with enough space for adults in the back seats, although some taller passengers may find the legroom to be limited.
How Much Storage Space Does the Subaru Outback Have?
Cargo space is a bit lower than some other midsize SUVs with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the second row, and around 10 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fifth generation of the Subaru Outback was introduced in 2015, and replaced by the sixth generation in 2020.
2013: Front end bumper redesign, more efficient engine, as well as better CVT transmission.
2014: Standard heated seats on 2.5i Premium and higher models.
2015: Fully redesigned for the fifth generation with new technology & styling.
2016: Subaru Starlink app connectivity added, improved steering feel.
2017: New Touring model with additional luxury features.
2018: Minor exterior styling changes, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto added.
2019: Standard EyeSight driver assistance on all models.
2020: Fully redesigned for the sixth generation with new technology, engines, and styling.
How Does the Subaru Outback Compare to the Competition?
The Subaru Outback is one of the worst midsize SUVs of 2015 since it suffers from more expensive mechanical problems than the competition.
The Subaru Forester is a smaller SUV made by Subaru which costs about $2,000 less. Performance is a bit better with the Subaru Forester, while there’s more passenger room in the Subaru Outback. We recommend avoiding both SUVs for 2015 since they suffer from the same engine issues.
The Honda CR-V is another SUV which is available in the same price range. Reliability ratings are higher on the Honda CR-V, while the Subaru Outback has better safety technology available. We recommend the Honda CR-V since they last longer and are more affordable to own long-term.
Do Owners Recommend the Subaru Outback?
Yes. It rides well and feels safe. Lots of storage room. Pretty good gas mileage. Nice back up camera.
Yes, the outback is a great vehicle. I had previously owned jeep SUVs and while I really liked those vehicles, the outback is much more enjoyable to drive, has more interior space and handles great in the snow.
Yes. It is great in winter weather and snow. It has great gas mileage and is very reliable. There is plenty of room for people and anything you need to carry
Reliable, easy to find people to work on it..seems sturdy if accident. Have had several previous Subaru vehicles. My sedan is 22 years old and ok
I think so, yes! It gets excellent gas mileage, and the back seats can be folded downward so a whole full sized blow up mattress can be fit into the back. I've been able to move without the aid of a trailer.
Yes. Handles greatly in bad weather like snow and ice. Great on gas mileage. I feel very safe when driving this car.
Yes! It has many safety features to make one feel secure on the road regardless of conditions, and is very intuitive/ comes with many 'bells and whistles' to aide driving. It is spacious, feels good, and looks good.