2015 Subaru Legacy recalls and problems

The 2015 Subaru Legacy has 3 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

160

Crashes / fires

15 / 3

Injuries / deaths

10 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2015 Subaru Legacy vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2015 Subaru Legacy recalls

Recall 16V-251: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Reported Apr 27, 2016 · 766 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Risk: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.

Recall 15V-502: Power Train

Reported Aug 10, 2015 · 2,893 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: Subaru 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. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Recall 15V-366: Forward Collision Avoidance, Exterior Lighting

Reported Jun 12, 2015 · 71,710 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: Subaru 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 manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

2015 Subaru Legacy problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	37
Visibility/Wiper	36
Unknown or Other	28
Engine	23
Power Train	15
Vehicle Speed Control	14
Fuel/Propulsion System	14
Service Brakes	12
Structure	10
Air Bags	10
Visibility	5
Forward Collision Avoidance	5

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 9
Visibility › Windshield — 2
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 17,140 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2015 Subaru Legacy complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 5, 2026

My 201 5 Subaru Legacy has approximately 49.000 miles. It suffered a drivetrain failure and was towed to a Subaru dealership. The dealership found metal shavings chunks in the CVT/transmission fluid and diagnosed an internal CVT failure requiring replacement. The dealership also diagnosed a front differential failure. I'm reporting this because I'm concerned about the possibility of an unexpected drivetrain failure during operation and want the failure documented. I was going 70 miles an hour down the highway and BOOM! It felt like a bomb hit my car. I don't want anyone in that kind of danger.

Power Train · reported Mar 10, 2026

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, approximately 48,000 miles. CVT transmission failed suddenly with no prior warning signs. Vehicle was exclusively dealer-serviced for its entire life. While driving, the transmission began shuddering, slipping, and making metallic grinding noises. Vehicle could barely climb a small ramp and was locked in limp mode, making it unsafe to operate in traffic. Diagnostic codes P0841, P0700, and C1431 were stored. Authorized Subaru dealer confirmed the failure. Technician stated the valve body likely failed first â a known defect per Subaru TSB 16-107-17R â which then…

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Feb 27, 2026

I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state police for help. They were unable to get to us in time. We were hit from the rear. The car's failure created a stationary hazard that led to a high-speed rear-end collision by a Jeep and truck which caused the car to do a 360-degree spin.

Service Brakes · reported Jan 31, 2026

Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator. Most recently the day before. The incident: I was in the process of very slowly parking the vehicle in a narrow laneway, and positioning the vehicle behind and in line of one other, both parallel to the laneway, in a small area that had been cleared of snow, leaving the laneway open. First, I stopped the vehicle opposite of the parked vehicle's driver side door. Second, I…

Air Bags · at 135,000 miles · reported Nov 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the driver's side air bag unintendedly deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the local dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Other Subaru Legacy years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Subaru Legacy: 16V-251 (electronic stability control (esc)), 15V-502 (power train), 15V-366 (forward collision avoidance, exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2015 Subaru Legacy?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (37 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (36). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 17,140 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.