On four occasions over the past five months my car needed a jump start for no apparent reason. I had a new Subaru battery installed last July, and a check up at a Subaru dealer last month which found no problems with the battery or alternator. I recently read about a battery drainage problem that other owners of this model have been experiencing as well.
2015 Subaru Outback electrical problems
moderate 120 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
120
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 120 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 120 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Subaru Outback has serious, unresolved electrical issues that affect reliability and safety. Expect battery replacement every 2–3 years due to parasitic drain that Subaru won't acknowledge, plus intermittent keyless entry failures, EyeSight system dropouts, and potential loss of multiple subsystems without warning.
The 2015 Outback electrical system is plagued by one dominant, unresolved problem: parasitic battery drain. Owners report replacing batteries 3 to 5 times over 6 years despite no obvious cause—lights left on, doors ajar, or abnormal driving patterns. The battery dies after short parking periods (30 minutes with the radio on), overnight, or after a week of non-use. One owner kept the vehicle on a 24/7 battery maintainer and still needed jump-starts. Dealers refuse to investigate the underlying cause and instead tell owners to drive on the highway weekly, require constant trickle-charging, or blame driver behavior. Subaru corporate denies the problem exists, even when presented video evidence. A zone service manager informally acknowledged the issue affects vehicles with the premium electronics and EyeSight package but offered no fix.
Keyless entry and ignition systems fail randomly, particularly in cold weather (below 5°F) after short drives, displaying "Keyless Start Up Deactivated" messages. The EyeSight collision avoidance and blind-spot detection systems randomly disable without warning and only restart after cycling the ignition. Navigation systems display wrong locations and touch-screens freeze. Power windows drop halfway after rising fully. Brake lights fail silently with no dashboard alert, creating a serious safety gap. One owner experienced a cascade failure during a single event: the car wouldn't start, windows locked mid-motion, door locks froze, and the parking brake stuck—leaving the owner trapped inside the vehicle for 5 hours.
Windshields are brittle and prone to cracking from minor impacts or ceramic heater delamination. Horns fail due to defective clock springs behind the steering wheel. Subaru has not issued recalls for any of these electrical failures or publicly acknowledged the systematic nature of the problems, despite widespread online complaints dating back years.
Same Subaru Outback electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic battery drain
Battery discharges completely or to unacceptable levels despite no obvious user error (lights, radio, or doors left on). Affects vehicle start capability. Occurs randomly, sometimes after brief idle periods and sometimes overnight with car parked and off. Owners report replacing batteries multiple times—often 3 to 5 times over 6 years—yet the problem persists with replacement batteries. One owner noted the battery can drain from full charge to 5 volts. Some cases involve battery dropping below 50% after one week of non-use. Dealers and Subaru claim the vehicle requires highway driving or constant battery maintainers to function as expected, an unreasonable requirement for a new vehicle.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; 2015–2022 timeframe; occurs year-round, exacerbated in cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead, car will not crank despite clicking sounds; Battery drains overnight with nothing left on; Battery drains after brief idle periods (30–45 minutes with or without radio); Battery drains after short driving trips (5–10 minutes); No audible or visual warning before failure; Repeated jump-starts required; some owners report jump-starting multiple times in a single outing or weekly; Battery tests 'normal' at dealer but fails repeatedly
Codes mentioned: Parasitic drain suspected but not confirmed by dealer testing, CAN network involvement reported by some owners and forums
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace battery, often with higher CCA rating. Subaru issued one software update (2019) claiming to 'increase battery life' but owners report no improvement. Dealers refuse to investigate parasitic drain (components not shutting off). One owner's issue was traced to an aftermarket HUM device in the OBD-II port. Main relay replacement (one case). Owners resort to battery maintainers (one owner on 24/7 charger), battery jump-start devices carried in vehicle, or limiting short trips and ensuring weekly highway driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru denies the problem exists despite widespread complaints. Unofficial acknowledgment by one Zone Service Manager that some owners experience systemic issues with vehicles having premium electronics/EyeSight, but no solution offered. Corporate service officials refuse to acknowledge the problem despite video evidence. Subaru advised one owner the vehicle was 'never built or advertised to be used on in-town travel' and must have highway driving and constant battery maintainers to function normally. No recalls issued; class-action litigation filed (referenced by multiple owners as Subaru Battery Drain Products Liability Litigation No. 1:20-cv-03095-JHR-MJS).
Keyless entry and ignition system malfunction
Keyless entry fob fails to unlock vehicle or start engine. In some cases, message 'Keyless Start Up Deactivated' displays on screen. Starts intermittently in cold weather (below 5°F and below 0°F) after short trips, then resolves on restart. In one case, failure occurred at delivery and recurred weeks later, with dealer reporting a loose wire or fuse that was allegedly 'fixed' but problem resumed. System appears to depend on or be affected by battery state.
When: Intermittently from new (some cases within 3 weeks of ownership); cold weather events (below 0–5°F); after short trips followed by 5–10 minute parking periods
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob does not unlock doors; Ignition does not respond to key-fob press; only radio or accessories start; Message 'Keyless Start Up Deactivated See Manual' appears on screen; Security immobilizer indicator flashes as if key not in ignition; System reactivates after turning ignition off and on again or waiting 5+ minutes
Codes mentioned: Security immobilizer indicator flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted fixes: reprogramming (temporary workaround only; problem recurs), loose wire/fuse replacement, battery jump-start. Owner instructed to avoid short trips in cold weather (not a practical fix). No permanent solution offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru corporate refuses to acknowledge the problem despite owner videos and documented cases. One dealer's zone manager informally acknowledged some owners with premium electronics/EyeSight combination experience systemic issues but states he knows of no solution. No recalls issued.
Electrical system cascade failure (multiple subsystems losing power)
During a single event, multiple electrical systems fail in sequence: engine start, windows, locks, parking brake, and/or climate control all become inoperable within a 5-hour period. The vehicle is immobilized and trapped (owner couldn't open doors or windows manually). After involuntary power-down and restart, all functions return to normal. In another case, the entire center control panel (radio, navigation, climate) disabled while ignition worked and warning lights illuminated. Engine accessories (heater, fan) stop working mid-drive in cold weather, then restart after several minutes.
When: Sporadic; one case occurred over 5 hours at a pier; another after delivery and recurring weeks later; another in cold weather after short trip
Symptoms owners cite: Car fails to start; clicking suggests attempted crank then cutoff; Power windows freeze mid-motion; All door locks freeze; interior lock knobs and levers inoperative; Parking brake locks and cannot be disengaged; All windows stop working; Center panel controls (radio, navigation, climate) disabled; Heater/fan and radio stop working while driving; Air bag warning light illuminates; Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate (check engine, collision prevention off, lane warning off, X-mode)
Codes mentioned: Air bag warning light, Check engine light, Collision prevention off, Lane warning off, X-mode light
Repairs/costs cited: One case: jump-start restored ignition; problem resolved spontaneously after involuntary restart. Another case: dealer checked battery, found nothing wrong, but problem recurred; loose wire/fuse allegedly fixed. Dealer flashed computer to clear codes in one case, but post-flash the vehicle became sluggish and then failed to accelerate, requiring tow. Owners expressed concern that dealer flashing without diagnosing root cause caused further failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru denies problem. One dealer acknowledged internal fixes (loose wire/fuse) without fixing underlying cause. Zone manager and corporate service officials refuse to acknowledge systemic issues. Owners noted recall WQS-54 on EyeSight system; some never received notification. No solution or root-cause diagnosis offered.
EyeSight system malfunction (collision avoidance, blind-spot detection)
EyeSight and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD/blind-spot detection) systems randomly disable or fail. SRVD displays a yellow 'I' icon in the instrument cluster (easy to miss, no audible alert) indicating the system is offline. Disabling occurs on cold starts or after short drives and persists until engine is cycled off and restarted. Some owners report the system disabled so frequently they cannot rely on it. Navigation system displays erroneous location data and Starlink touch-screen freezes, raising concerns that GPS/screen failures could compromise EyeSight (which may share electrical paths or software architecture). One owner noted EyeSight can override braking and throttle, creating safety risk if its control logic is affected by GPS/screen failures.
When: Intermittently from near-new (one case within 600 miles, another within 3 weeks); ongoing for 2+ years in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: SRVD/blind-spot detection disabled without warning (yellow 'I' icon in cluster); EyeSight collision avoidance system non-functional; Navigation system displays wrong location; Starlink touch-screen freezes (becomes inoperable); System reactivates only after engine restart
Codes mentioned: Yellow 'I' icon in instrument cluster (SRVD malfunction indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate or diagnose; computer updated/flashed (temporary or no improvement). One owner replaced relay (part no. 87611AL00B) but problem worsened. Owner reports reading forums linking problem to CAN system issues. No software fix provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru corporate refuses to acknowledge the problem and has not issued recalls or technical service bulletins for EyeSight/SRVD disabling on 2015 Outbacks. Dealers claim nothing is wrong with the system. Zone Service Manager informally acknowledged systemic issue in vehicles with premium electronics/EyeSight package but offered no solution. One owner made six YouTube videos documenting failures; Subaru officials stated in emails that they refuse to acknowledge the problem despite video evidence.
Navigation and infotainment system freeze/malfunction
GPS navigation displays erroneous location data. Starlink touch-screen system becomes inoperable or freezes (locks up). Navigation voice commands fail to activate, forcing driver to look at screen while driving (distraction hazard). Issues recur after dealer repair. Technician states there is no permanent remedy—only temporary clearing of personal data helps briefly before failure recurs.
When: Intermittently; some cases from within 3 weeks of ownership; failures recur despite repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: GPS shows wrong location; Touch-screen freezes or becomes unresponsive; Navigation voice commands do not activate; System requires screen attention to operate, distracting driver
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleared personal data (temporary fix only). Technician acknowledged no permanent remedy exists. System repaired but failure recurred. Manufacturer contacted but issue persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No permanent solution offered. Dealer technician stated there is no remedy. Manufacturer notified but did not provide fix.
Power window malfunction (express-up feature fails)
Power windows with express-up feature (automatic full raise) malfunction by rising fully then lowering halfway on their own, or failing to stay up. Driver must push switch down to lower window first, then re-engage express function. Problem recurs frequently despite dealer reprogramming. Affects driver and passenger side windows.
When: Started around May 2016 (within 2 years of purchase); frequency increased by July and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Window rises fully then lowers halfway without driver input; Window will not stay up; Express-up function fails; driver must lower window first before it will raise again; Problem occurs both while driving and stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reprogrammed window module (July 26, 2016); advised holding switch up for 5 seconds to reprogram if problem recurs. This workaround did not resolve issue. Problem worsened over time, affecting both windows.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No permanent fix offered. Dealer provided temporary workaround only. No recall or service bulletin issued.
Brake light indication failure
Vehicle's brake lights become inoperative without any warning light or message on the dashboard to alert the driver. Owner discovered the problem only when spouse followed the car to the dealership and noticed no brake lights. Vehicle was driven for two days with non-functional brake lights, creating a serious safety hazard. Dashboard check engine light and collision prevention light turned on, but no specific brake light warning appeared.
When: Occurred during a single multi-day period in July 2015; discovered on day two after service appointment
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights not illuminating; No warning light or message on dashboard indicating brake light failure; Check engine light and collision prevention off light illuminate, but not brake-light-specific alert; Owner unaware of failure until third-party observation
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Collision prevention off light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer flashed computer to clear codes (July 9, 2015). Post-service, vehicle became sluggish, shifted erratically, and then failed to maintain speed or accelerate on July 10 at highway speed (60 mph). Vehicle coasted off ramp and was towed. Owner unsure whether brake lights were operational during acceleration failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No notification sent to owner about brake light warning system deficiency. Dealer advised it was safe to drive until service appointment despite the hazard. Recall WQS-54 exists for EyeSight system; owner notified dealer but Subaru had not sent recall notice. No TSB or solution provided for brake light indicator gap.
Windshield brittleness and delamination
Windshield glass is excessively brittle and prone to cracking from minor impacts or vibration. Some cracks develop spontaneously overnight. In one case, ceramic wiper heater element delaminated inside the windshield (turned bright red), causing a large crack after gently placing wiper blade holder on glass. Popping/cracking noises heard around windshield area (possibly related). Cracks can grow from small chip to 9 inches within hours or days. Owner replaced windshield twice; both replacements (OEM and aftermarket) failed. Prior owner replaced windshield within 6 months of purchase with no known cause.
When: Windshield failures occurring between 6 months and 3+ years of ownership; popping noises heard before visible cracks in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield cracks spontaneously or from minor impact; Ceramic wiper heater delamination visible (bright red discoloration); Loud popping/cracking noises around windshield (especially when Bluetooth connected, per one report); Cracks grow rapidly (small chip expands to inches within hours/days); Defroster fails to keep windshield clear in rain/night, especially lower portion
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement cost approximately $500 per unit. Both OEM and aftermarket replacement windshields exhibited same brittleness. One owner received letter from Subaru about windshield cracking problems and contacted dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru sent a letter to at least one owner acknowledging windshield cracking problems, suggesting company awareness. However, no permanent solution, recall, or TSB addressing material quality issued. Dealer photographed crack but took no further action.
Horn (clock spring/roll connector) inoperability
Horn fails due to defective clock spring (roll connector) behind the steering wheel. The part is responsible for electrical continuity to the horn and costs approximately $130 plus $150+ in service labor to replace. Problem is widely reported across Subaru models (Outback, Forester, Legacy) with numerous online videos and forum posts documenting the failure. Owner discovered horn failure when needed in a near-accident situation, creating a serious safety hazard. Problem is described as very common and should have a recall.
When: Failure reported across multiple model years; timing not specified for individual 2015 cases but described as 'very common'
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not sound when steering wheel button pressed; Horn inoperative when needed in emergency situation
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring/roll connector replacement: parts cost ~$130, labor $150+. Multiple YouTube videos and online forums document this repair across Subaru models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite widespread complaints and multiple online reports suggesting the part is defective and presents a safety hazard across multiple model years.
Synthesized from 120 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I'm writing on behalf of my brother, who is disabled. The battery in his 2015 Subaru outback has been replaced 2 or 3 times sine he purchased it brand new. This is a serious safety issue for him. He does not leave anything on in the car ; lights, radio, etc. The dealership has replaced them so far but I'm concerned about what may happen in the future. One time the car wasn't driven for a few days…
Repeated dead batteries. Replaced OEM battery in year 2, new battery also comes up dead regularly. There is clearly a parasitic battery drain happening. Burning oil, this car burns more oil than any car I have ever owned. Subaru claims it is within specification, but their specification is 1 quart between changes, this is a ridiculous claim in 2021. Heat shield and exhaust noise. Always a…
We have owned the vehicle since may 2015 and had a dead battery 4 times with no apparent reason. We have replaced the battery each time. Subaru doesn't seem to admit there is an issue.
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2015 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 120 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 15,000 and 57,000 miles, with the median around 33,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 57,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.