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 119 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
119
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
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 ne…
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.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2015 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 119 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.