2015 Subaru LegacyUNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

160 federal complaints (233 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 495 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 39 model years of the Subaru Legacy →
Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
AWD
EPA economy
26 city / 35 hwy
Federal complaints
160
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Glass & wipers
41
Electrical system
37
Other
28
Engine & cooling
24
Power train
15
Fuel system
15
Speed control
14
Brakes
13
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 55 complaints01 years old: 16 complaints2 years old: 12 complaints3 years old: 11 complaints4 years old: 12 complaints5 years old: 9 complaints56 years old: 19 complaints7 years old: 10 complaints8 years old: 6 complaints9 years old: 6 complaints10 years old: 0 complaints1011 years old: 4 complaints12 years old: 0 complaints13 years old: 0 complaints14 years old: 0 complaints15 years old: 0 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 160 of 160 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 54 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 14 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 8 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 8 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 6 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 1 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 3 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 2 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 1 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 1 complaints200,000+ miles: 0 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 98 of 160 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Glass & wipers

41 complaint records
"A CRACK RANDOMLY APPEARED STARTING FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE WIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS STATIONARY...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse glass & wipers parts in the directory →

Electrical system

37 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"Battery has failed repeatedly. 6yr old car on 4th battery. First replaced by Subaru, then AAA, then by AAA by warranty..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

24 complaint records2 fire reports3 crash reports
"UPON LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION HOWLS, HESITATION FOLLOWED BY FAST ACCELERATION. KEY INSERTION INTO IGNITION IS DIFFICULT AND ROUGH. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA21002
opened Sep 2021
OPENAir BagsDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
16V251000Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015.Normally free
15V502000Power TrainSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015.Normally free
15V366000Forward Collision AvoidanceSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles...Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2022395
2022-07-21
Brakes1,793Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, a connector for the electronic parking brake (EPB) could disconnect. If this happens, you won't be able to apply the parking brake and the vehicle could roll away.
2015358
2015-08-06
Powertrain10On certain vehicles, during the manufacturing process of pressing the seal cap onto the propeller shaft yoke, the seal cap may have been positioned incorrectly.
2015249
2015-06-04
Accessories4,587On certain vehicles, if the driver assist system were to become disabled due to a brake light switch failure, the system could fail to inform the driver that the automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking systems...
2015206
2015-05-15
Accessories3,500On certain vehicles equipped with EyeSight driver assist technology, the French version of the EyeSight Owner’s Manual my contain incorrect translations of certain text.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SubaruNet Announcement (M
Oct 2026
Electrical SystemThis announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
18-244-26
Sep 2026
Electrical System"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
13-109-26
Sep 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
SubaruNet Announcement (C
Sep 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
15-304-22R
Sep 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
15-333-25R
Sep 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
15-308-23R
Aug 2026
Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the...
16-156-25R
Aug 2026
Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
15-304-22R
Aug 2026
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
Article Locator
Aug 2026
Electrical SystemTechtips newsletter locator index.
15-333-25R
Aug 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
SubaruNet Annoucement (E
Jun 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
16-156-25R
Jun 2026
Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
02-195-26
Jun 2026
EngineThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
01-167-08R
May 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
16-156-25R
May 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
SubaruNet Announcement (R
May 2026
Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R
Apr 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.
01-167-08R
Apr 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
03-97-26
Apr 2026
Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
05-97-26
Apr 2026
WheelsThis 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.
01-167-08R
Mar 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
10-105-25R
Mar 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
15-219-18R
Mar 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
SubaruNet Announcement (A
Mar 2026
Electrical SystemThis announcement provides information on the use of aftermarket services or tools for programming immobilizer keys/fobs.
07-240-26R
Feb 2026
Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
10-105-25R
Feb 2026
Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
Subaru Tech Tips Special
Jan 2026
Electrical SystemThis Subaru service and technical support line newsletter provides information on the next phase of TechShare.
Subarunet Announcement (E
Jan 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis announcement has been created to address difficulties with software updates on Subaru Select Monitors with DST-010 interface firmware has been updated.
15-300-22R
Jan 2026
EngineThis Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
05-84-21R
Dec 2025
SuspensionThis bulletin announces availability of new front wheel hub assemblies incorporating bearing surfaces having increased resistance to imperfections resulting from shock loads.
18-228-25R
Dec 2025
Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH BANK 1) are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
18-226-25R
Dec 2025
Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
15-333-25
Dec 2025
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
Subaru Tech Tips (Article
Nov 2025
Unknown Or OtherSubaru service article locator.
18-228-25
Nov 2025
EngineThis bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH BANK 1) are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
16-156-25R
Nov 2025
Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
15-130-08R
Oct 2025
Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides information on the load carrying capacity reduced label when a port-installed or retailer-installed accessory exeeds 1.5 percent of the GVWR or 100 pounds, which ever is lower.
Subaru Tech Tips (Article
Oct 2025
Unknown Or OtherSubaru tech tips newsletter article locator.
15-308-23R
Oct 2025
Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.
07-233-25R
Oct 2025
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin provides details on a new formal testing, charging, and tracking procedure for all 12-volt batteries in new vehicle inventory.
07-236-25
Oct 2025
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin outlines a comprehensive update to the dark current/parasitic draw diagnosis & testing procedures.
16-156-25
Sep 2025
Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
15-219-18R
Sep 2025
Electrical SystemThis bulletin addresses cases when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully.
07-235-25
Sep 2025
EngineIn the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed.
10-105-25R
Sep 2025
Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
07-233-25
Sep 2025
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin provides details on a new formal testing, charging, and tracking procedure for all 12-volt batteries in new vehicle inventory wjhich must be tested and reported every 30 days.
15-266-20R
Aug 2025
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin provides helpful procedures and best practices to utilize when customers present with concerns relating to the operation of their Gen 2/Gen 3 Telematics system equipped Subaru.
15-320-24R
Aug 2025
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
SubaruNet Announcement
Aug 2025
Electrical SystemSubaru of America, Inc. will release an OTA to perform a software update to the DCM. This is a preventive OTA.
13-108-25
Aug 2025
StructureThis bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
Subaru Service Technical
Aug 2025
Power TrainSubaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
SubaruNet Announcement
Jul 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceThis announcement provides information about a Subaru of America, Inc. preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding the EyeSight system in certain Subaru vehicles.
07-235-25
Jul 2025
Electrical SystemIn the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed for the selected EyeSight & Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) components.
10-105-25R
Jul 2025
Electrical System"This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
SubaruNet Annoucement
Jun 2025
Unknown Or OtherThis announcment provides information on the release of the latest software updates to the Subaru Midtronics DSS-5000 Battery Diagnostic tool.
15-251-19R
Jun 2025
Electrical SystemThis Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16.
SubaruNet Announcement (S
Jun 2025
Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is to bring attention to the OTA for In-vehicle service appointment scheduler and In-vehicle message center.
10-105-25R
Jun 2025
Electrical SystemThis Service Information bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
01-168-09R
May 2025
Unknown Or OtherThe purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.

Showing 60 of 495 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Run the wipers and washers, and test every window.Slow or stuck regulators, streaking wipers, and windshield cracks are this vehicle's visibility complaints.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Subaru Legacy →