2015 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

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 May 12, 2025 · Fuel system · NY

Within the last few months, my 2015 Outback has been unreliable with the fuel gauge indicator, causing me to run out of gas three times, stranded roadside, with supposedly 30 miles in rank. Fortunately, there were no accidents, but two out of three times, I was left stranded on highways, that put me at risk of being struck.

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Fuel system · IA

Our 2015 Subaru Outback occasionally accelerates sharply without the driver's foot being on the gas peddle. It always happens when decelerating and applying the brakes. Suddenly, the engine roars and revs up, all while the driver is depressing the brake pedal, desperately trying to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. In our case, we've always been able to stop without hitting anything, but we've had some near misses. It seems to happen in the winter. The Subaru dealer we purchased the vehicle from denies any knowledge of this particular problem, even though numerous drivers have reported similar incidents.

Filed Sep 10, 2022 · Airbags, Engine · ND · crash

Entering a residential garage to park; experienced sudden acceleration while braking. Vehicle went through drywall/wall about 2 feet. Placed vehicle in park to stop vehicle. No airbags went off. Driving vehicle to repair shop later; experienced same rapid unexpected acceleration with different driver. No issue with floor mats. OEM mats. Service center cannot provide any insight or reproduction of event.

Filed Sep 23, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

While driving at highway speed and traveling over about 6 hours, the car simply shut off. We were traveling on the highway in the passing lane. Without warning the car began to slow down rapidly, no dash lights on, but the engine was off. We managed to cross two lanes of traffic without power assist and once on the shoulder and slowing down, the engine lights all came on. Once fully stopped, we turned the car off, waited a few seconds and restarted. We were then able to complete our trip without difficulty. This has happened twice. The dealer has done full diagnostics twice but has been unable to find the problem. We have heard that other year Subaru outbacks have been recalled for this problem but our year isn't included.

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Fuel system · WI

We called Subaru Roadside Assistance Sunday, July 25, 2021 because the Subaru lost power, as though it were out of gas, but the gage showed we had over an eighth of a tank. We mentioned this to the roadside assistant Rep. several times. She took our cell and credit card #s and said she ordered us a tow truck. I asked if the driver will have a gas can with. She said, "Well do you need a tow or fuel". Again we repeated we didn't know and explained again what happened. She said it would be 60-90 minutes. It was 94 degrees, we had no water, no shade, it was horrible. After 90 minutes still nobody came. We called again to see how much longer it would be. COME TO FIND OUT, THEY DIDN'T SEND ANYONE!!!. They said they didn't know if we needed a toe or fuel, so they didn't send anyone, didn't call, NOTHING. They said it would be another 90 minutes. We told them to forget it, hung up and went to a nearby house and the guy gave us a bottle of water and from a gas can, provided us enough gas to get to the next gas station 11 miles away. I tried calling subaru headquarters to report the issue and to let them know if our credit card was charged, they need to reimburse it since we did not receive service, but I was on hold for so long, I hung up and emailed them - 3 times and I NEVER heard anything back from them. So here I am reporting to not rely on their gas gage and reporting a safety concern that they would leave people in massive heat, probably would in the terrible cold as well. They do not call to let you know that nobody is coming. Subaru roadside assistance is one big joke. Subaru service is a big joke because obviously they don't care since they never responded to any of my emails. Needless to say, we will never call their roadside assistance again and will NEVER buy a subaru again since they have shown lack of interest. Thank you.

Filed Aug 11, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 2 miles · IL

I was going 55 MPH on a straight flat surface when all of a sudden the RPM's shot up to around 4000 but the car was not accelerating. It was like it went into neutral. I pulled over to the side of the road and the car proceeded to die. Fortunately, it started right up and I drove home. I had a almost a full tank of gas. I had only driven it for 5 minutes as I was on my way home from work. I just had the oil/filter changed not even 2 months ago. I have 54,000 dealer serviced miles on the car. It was 86 degrees out. 2015 subaru outback premium 2.5

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 63,000 miles · CA

A supposed gas cap seal caused 20 icons to flash constantly upon my dash. The car had been sitting in a parking garage for two days prior to the incident

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MN

Please read upload documents. My 2015 subaru outback began showing signs of excessive oil consumption in the summer 2018. Apparently this was a known problem with subaru and class action lawsuit was filed against subaru for models made prior to 2015. My vehicle failed a oil consumption test in the fall of 2018. I was told by white bear subaru if the vehicle failed an oil consumption test subaru of america would pay to have a new short block installed due to this ongoing engine defect. However, subaru of america refused to pay the full amount to have a new short block installed as even though my car was make in 2014 it is technically a 2015 that the class action lawsuit only protected consumers of models prior to 2015. Also, in the fall of 2018 the interior of this vehicle began to have a exhaust smell and was making me feel sick. They determined that part of the exhaust system was broken but told me not to have it fixed before the new short block was installed and the exhaust system would just become clogged with the oil the car was burning. I went ahead had had the repair done anyway as the exhaust air was terrible.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Fuel system · 67,000 miles · RI

Fuel gas door sticks and will not open