Used 2015 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Danger: This Car is Unreliable!
J Malo, 10/25/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
Do not allow anyone you care about drive this car. Besides not being great in snow as advertised, it is a very unreliable vehicle. We cannot drive this vehicle on a trip in fear of breaking down on the road. On three different occasions, while doing 65-70 mph on the highway, at night I might add, the vehicle just shut off. No lights, no power, no nothing. Almost got killed trying to get the car off the highway since the power steering was inoperative due to no power. Two Subaru dealerships made excuses on why this happened. One said it was because if you let the gas level get low, the fuel pump overheats and shuts down. The other said it was an ignition issue but can't find out what the problem is. In reading stories on-line, a woman had the same problem and couldn't pull off the road in time and was killed by a semi. I can see how this can happen. Subaru doesn't seem to care nor do the dealerships we've tried. This car is a lemon. We will not purchase another Subaru ever again.
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Great car, but . . .
arw608, 11/06/2014
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
So many things to like: handles exceptionally well despite its size; near zero-degree turning radius; plenty of power for a smaller engine with a CVT; lots of cargo space; huge improvements in fit and finish; the list goes on and on. But none of that matters because the front seats, and in particular, the driver's seat with power lumbar support, is the WORST seat in my entire experience with motor vehicles. It's a torture device, particularly for a smaller person. Zeroed out, the lumbar support still feels like a football at the base of my spine. I took a 20-minute test drive and I assumed I would find a comfortable position if/when I bought the car. Not even close.
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Vehicle is dangerous on grades
Richard Wright, 11/24/2016
updated 12/01/2019
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Update: Wife refused to drive car as is so traded it after two years, lost money but better safe than sorry. This car should only be sold in the flat mid west. Subaru software for transmission is ridiculous as car will role back immediately on any kind of slight grade when your foot is lifted from the brake pedal. It is like having a stick shift but you don't have a clutch to engage. The choice is to drive with left foot on brake and right foot on gas. There is a hill holder but even that only works marginally. The entire transmission is controlled by computer software so there is no reason for this dangerous situation to be present. We sold this vehicle after two years and purchased a Toyota Highlander which automatically holds on grade for about 5 seconds so you have time to move from the brake to the gas without fear of hitting something or person behind you. Complained to dealer but was told all was normal . No fix. Had software flashed but problem not corrected. Navigation system not intuitive at all. Backup camera very hard to use as limit lines in camera view would not be present unless you agreed with permission screen at each time you started the car. Juvenile in thinking yet missed the obvious warning about no hold on a grade.
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Really like the car, but...
Paula Witt, 03/01/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
My first Subaru was a GL10 Turbo, that over heated and blew a head gasket. Had a Ford F150 and Toyota after that. I've had my 2015 Outback since Nov. It's beautiful inside and out. Handles well. I don't hear any wind noise, even at 85 mph on the toll road. Not being a computer geek, it took me a good amount of time to figure out the electronics. Still haven't figured everything out yet. Feels very stable and grounded while driving. Comfortable.
Bought the car the day it was available
Gihan, 07/11/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Was the first one to drive a 2015 Subaru Outback in Brooklyn. My impressions on owning the car since? It gets you from point A to point B comfortably, safely and unnoticed. If your speeding with a group of cars, the cop will want to stop the Infiniti or bmw! The car is actually spacious and perfect for grocery shopping, fishing, camping blah blah blah it's enough room ok.... The car is really good on the snow too..... You know that travel ban they issued on that huge snow storm? I didn't listen and took my car out to see if I COULD get stuck! Did I get stuck? At moments I thought I did until I pressed xmode. Car is unstoppable in the snow. Nothing beats seeing the guys face after you park your car in a parking spot AFTER he warned you not to otherwise you will get stuck. Gas mileage? I get about 15MPG city ( I know I know that's poor but NOT really if you live in nyc where you can get gridlocked for half an hour and travel 7 blocks), 36MPG highway!!! ( yeap! 3 more then suggested BUT you have to have a clear road and do 65mph and you have to be alone -- 28 mpg if you have the car packed with people and gear ). Have I had any issues? Yeah... The passenger side window would glitch and roll up all the way but mysteriously roll down half way and stop/ I would have to roll it up using the non auto roll up to complete the process/ subaru changed the motor and no more problem. Would I suggest you buy this car? Yea go for it man, what other options do you have? The thing gets good gas mileage, drives like a sedan ( thanks to the lower center of gravity the BOXER engine provides ), has good ground clearance ( 8.7 inches > better then jeep grand cherokee, Toyota Highlander ), has a good AWD system ( most SUVs and what not have open diffs and to compensate for that, they have TERRIBLE AWD systems that would be FWD bias or RWD bias or would have 1 front tire only spin and 1 rear tire spin while the other two tires don't do nothing resulting in you staying stuck in snow / BUT NOT the out back, once you press the XMODe all tires actually spin as if it has lockers in the front and rear ), is comfortable ( I can have the seats rolled all the way back and still sit comfortably in the back and I'm 6'2 ), has the BEST resale value ( you can buy a dodge or a chysler for brand new for $30,000 or buy one used only a couple years older for $6,000 lol, but not the outback! Just look at the resale value of the old outbacks and you would be shocked how expensive they are ) ok I'm tired typing. I hope I helped and contributed in your decision in buying this car. It's good don't worry, you won't be disappointed.
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Best Outback yet
nyken, 12/14/2014
updated 12/14/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
After putting 24,000 on my 2015 Outback, I still am very impressed with this vehicle. It preformed very well during several winter snow storms. It's comfortable on long and short trips and the gas mileage is fantastic. I am getting 38 MPG on the highway and about 32 for mixed city/highway driving. There are a few things that are bothersome however. The most important is that the doors do not lock and unlock automatically. This is a safety issue and should be addressed by Subaru. The temperature and clock display is tiny and you can hardly read them. Also the entire display is not even visible in bright sunlight .because of glare. For no reason the front windshield cracked while I watched it just sitting on my driveway. Subaru would not even address this and made me go through my insurance. Since there has been a recall for this as it has been determined by Subaru to be a defect. Overall I am happy with my Outback. I hope that Subaru address some of the shortcomings that I have mentioned.
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CVT Transmission Fail
Rick, 11/18/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Only 49,000 miles on the car and a sudden failure on I-84. Total loss of power. Luckily my wife was able to safely pull over. Towed the car to our ASE mechanic who diagnosed the problem and told this it happens a lot with Subaru transmissions. It's a certified lemon. We later discovered that Subaru acknowledges the issue and offers a 10 year/100k mi extended warranty ( i guess that is cheaper than a recall). Subaru customer "service" blew me off because we didn't do the repairs at the dealer. Thanks Subaru. The CVT transmission is a failure wait to happen, without prior warning and will put your or your loved one in jeopardy. You have to wait for it in order for them to fix it though. I couldn't dump this car fast enough. Decent AWD, popular and good resale (thank God). Noisy (road and air) car with vague steering, inferior instrument layout and controls and touchy gas/brake pedal. Much happier with my replacement car not to mention piece of mind. Avoid Subaru and ANY CVT transmission.
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Oil leaks - maybe head gasket
Heidi, 08/13/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought this car new and have been leaking oil for the past few months. Had to add 2 quarts of oil in in the past 2 months. Took it to Subaru to have a recall fixed and told them about this. They investigated and said headgasket, valve cover gasket and timing gasket all leaking. No signs of smoke in exhaust or coolant problems but clearly leaking. Five year old car with 90,000 miles and well maintained. This is ridiculous!
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Charging issues
Dennis Lain, 04/30/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My 2013 Outback was an awesome vehicle. I traded it in for a 2016 Outback. I have been stranded at least 5 times with the 2016. Never with the 2013. When I would try and start the vehicle the battery would go dead. I thought it was my error by leaving items turned on and draining the battery. When I would get in the car it would slow crank a few times and then the battery would go dead. This is embarrassing, to say the least when I am leaving an appointment for a sales call and the owner has to give me jump. After reading these articles I now know it was not my fault and it is the car that is losing charge on its own. My lease warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles. I am at 38,000 miles right now so going to the dealer is not an option. It does not appear that Subaru is taking any responsibility so I will trade for a different brand next. In addition, I received better gas mileage on the 2013 Outback than I do with the 2016. Something is not right.
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Can I get my Odyssey Back
jmb2015, 11/10/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
I purchased the Outback Limited 2015 three days ago and if I could return it I would. This car was to replace my 2005 Honda Odyssey. I am accustomed to road noise because my van was loud. However, the engine noise combined with wind noise in the Outback is mind numbing. I also have a weird vibration when you get up to highway speeds and every bump in the road can be felt. My van may have been noisy but the ride was like that of a car. I was told the Outback is built on the Legacy chasse. We own a 2015 Legacy and it drives like a dream. The Outback comes no where near the ride of the Legacy. I will getting rid of this car before the end of the month. My recommendation is to look at the Lexus RX350 or the Honda Pilot.
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