2015 Subaru Outback: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

the federal safety agency issued a notice for a recall on the 2015 Subaru Outback for an exhaust pipe bellows crack which causes exhaust noise and odor which affects emission and engine performance. I had noticed our Subaru's exhaust smoke coming in through the air vents while idling and also a general loss of power for the vehicle. When I dug into the causes, I came across this recall and did the VIN look up on the federal safety agency website and also the Subaru website for active recalls. The Subaru website states that the recall was completed. I then called the subaru retailer to check if there were any records for the recall work that was completed for the federal safety agency ID Number: 10199936. They could not find any records. I called in Subaru corporate to see if they could shed any light on the recall. Subaru corporate says that the recall work was performed on August 6th, 2020 but is unable to tell me where it was performed or even if it was actually replaced. My local Subaru dealer has no records and Subaru corporate says that the work was performed. I am stuck with an exhaust leak that is potentially dangerous as time goes on where it might fail emissions. Subaru corporate has not wanted to address this or investigate the discrepancy, but instead asks me to work with the dealer to get records. The dealer says there's no records of the work ever being done. So I'm in limbo with a particularly faulty car.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, he was alerted by another driver that the vehicle was smoking and flames were coming from under the vehicle. The contact stated that warning lights flashed off and on. The contact stated that he pulled over, exited the vehicle, and saw flames coming from underneath the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames and exploded. The contact stated that he sustained minor burns on his hands from the steering wheel however, medical attention was not required. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard as it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a field technician was sent to retrieve information from the EDR. The contact was not aware of the diagnosis. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2017 · Transmission · 33,600 miles · NV

While driving down freeway at 75 MPH, transmission made two clunking sounds, and speed decreased - rpms increased. We could smell oil burning smell, but no smoke or leaks. We were approximately 12 miles outside of las vegas and 22 miles into our trip. There was no warning and no decrease in speed or other signs prior to the clunks/clanks. Vehicle towed to subaru of las vegas. First subaru tried to say rear differential caused. Please see dan's driveline invoice. Next they tried to say front differential caused. I challenged - how can a functioning differential cause a transmission to become toast? Next step is subaru hq tech to tear down transmission. I've included documents from auto lab (did 30k mile service), subaru invoice, subaru email saying front differential caused,

Filed Jun 30, 2016 · Electrical · 12,700 miles · TN · fire

Technician and service advisor informed me that a 80 pin connector that controls the head system had caught on fire and fused two connectors together. I used the HVAC system on my way home from work and parked the vehicle in the garage.if this happened in the garage it could have resulted in a catastrophic house fire.

Filed Oct 9, 2015 · Body, Engine · 4,000 miles · WA · fire

The subaru outback 2015 was parked in a lot after a 12 minute drive and burst into flames. It was purchased in february 2015 and was not yet due for servicing when the event happened. The subaru outback manufactured from july 3rd-27th 2015 has been recalled due to "possibility of fire due to a transmission fluid leak". I believe the same thing occurred with my car and I am concerned that if the model is not recalled someone will get badly injured or killed due to fire.