2015 Subaru Outback: backup camera failure

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Electrical · TN

The Subaru's Starlink Radio has completely delaminated on the layer between the display and the digitizer, which does not allow the radio to be controlled in any way, shape, or form. This means that the touch screen is not working anymore, and because the radio is so delaminated, whenever the car is put into reverse during the daytime, the backup camera is nowhere near visible enough to be seen safely. The radio delaminated to the point where it was unusable after the 100k-mile warranty period. At the start of the issue, the radio developed a ghost touch on the bottom-left corner of the screen, and during a Bluetooth phone call, it would repeatedly hang up the phone, leading to distraction while driving.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

Vehicle Component Affected: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE / BACK OVER PREVENTION Description of the Safety Defect: The factory infotainment touchscreen in my 2015 Subaru Outback Limited (VIN: [XXX]) has suffered a severe manufacturing defect where the internal chemical gel adhesive has melted, creating large, oily liquid bubbles across the display. This physical degradation causes the screen to suffer from continuous "ghost touches," registering non-stop phantom inputs while the vehicle is in motion. This hardware failure creates three active, severe driving safety hazards: DANGEROUS OPERATOR DISTRACTION: The ghost-touching triggers a loud, high-pitched, non-stop audible dinging sound through the speakers that cannot be muted, severely compromising driver focus on the roadway. INOPERABLE NAVIGATION CONTROL: The system recently registered phantom touches that autonomously programmed a random destination into the factory GPS. The system then overrode all driver controls, preventing me from canceling the navigation instructions or turning off the screen audio while driving. OBSCURED BACKUP CAMERA VISIBILITY: The large, oily chemical delamination bubbles create a severe visual distortion on the screen. In direct or bright sunlight, the backup camera image is completely unreadable and obscured, creating an active striking hazard to pedestrians and vehicles behind me. This manufacturing defect began approximately in Jan 2023 and has gotten progressively worse over time, transitioning from minor cosmetic bubbling to severe, non-stop hardware malfunctions. This component failure is an active driving hazard that completely compromises driver attention and vehicle safety systems. Subaru of America is aware of this chemical breakdown across this generation of head units but is refusing to remedy the safety defect out of warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 16, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 subaru outback. The contact stated that the back-up camera view was blocked by the sunlight. The contact stated that the glare was evident whether the sun roof was opened or closed. The glare prevented the driver to see clearly what was behind the vehicle. The dealer subaru of san bernardino (645 auto center dr, san bernardino, ca 92408 (877) 501-8065) was made aware of the issue but offered no solution to the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2018 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · MI

The infotainment system freezes up about every other day and this has been happening again for the last month. Rear backup camera stays on at times. Screen freezes and hard knob controls of infotainment system will not work when touch screen is frozen. This is the second module that has been installed due to these issues and problems continue.

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · SC

The back up display screen becomes unusable as a result of the touch sensitive sensors becoming visible, thus interfering with the rear back up camera image. It is especially dangerous in bright sunlight making the rear back up camera useless. It also impacts the ability to read any of the controls on the screen, however not being able to identify objects when backing up we believe is a serious issue. The dealer has been great and has replaced two of them at no charge. However this is clearly a defect in the touch sensitive screen.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · 20,000 miles · NM

Lines have appeared across my navigation screen. Lines make the screen almost impossible to read the screen especially in strong light due to the glare. The back up camera view is also impeded by the lines and the glare. The dealer tells me that this is normal as it is part of the touch screen. These lines were not on the screen for the first year I had the vehicle. The dealer will not address the issue even though the car is still under warranty. The lines appear at all times (when the vehicle is moving or stopped).