This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Outback wheels problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Of the 9 model years of Subaru Outback we track for wheels problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 7.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the TPMS valve assemblies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a slight design change made to the sealing areas of the wheel hub assemblies for the models as listed above. The change was made to enhance productivity during the vehicle assembly process.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information bulletin announces a change made to the rear frame stay mounting flange bolts. The new flange bolts (5 used per side) have been lengthened by 2mm to an overall length of 25mm.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2015 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 47,644 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.