Used 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT) Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Yeah, it a Subie, but CVT is a dog
Kargok9, Loudon, TN, 11/15/2018
Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
You wouldn't be here if you didn't know what you were looking for. I understand that, so I'll just denote the most troubling issue that I have about our car. It's our second Subie. Our first Subie got T-boned at 40+ mph on the passenger door and I got to see all of those airbag thingies that you should only see on TV, and yeah, the Subie died and I didn't. Naturally, I felt an obligation to purchase another one, only unlike the first 4 banger, I opted for the 3.6 Limited with Eyesight. Because we couldn't find the flavor that we wanted at large, we unfortunately ended up purchasing from a local dealer <grrrrr>, but that's another story. The real story is that I would like to pass along about our '15 3.6 is that the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission ...never shifts, sounds like a motorboat) is DREADFUL. The car jumps and lurches at low speed, surges, stumbles and stutters lifting off the gas and generally makes what should be a buttery smooth flat 6 engine (Porsche) meaningless. I find the car miserable to drive. Taking your foot off the accelerator at 50mph produces a subtle but perceptible CHUNK, CHUNK, CHUNK, CHUNK. The wife doesn't care. The car has been to the (same) dealer <grrr> several times to try to remedy the stumbling transmission. Each time I got what I call the Turbo Encabulator speech (it's a hoot, Google it) and nothing changed. It has been used primarily as a bike carrier with Torx Eco hitch (great) and Thule 4 tray bike rack (great). For that, it has done a perfectly adequate job. So, bottom line, if you are looking for a Subie for all the reasons that make it a Subie, you'll most likely be pleased. If you are a gearhead or particularly curious about the mechanical goings on of things, it could be an continuous pain in the butt. Safe travels.
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Utterly Unsafe
Backpacker007, Lancaster, PA, 09/28/2015
updated 03/31/2017
Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
17 of 31 people found this review helpful
Rating after 2 years of ownership. Overall this is a very good car. Like the 6 cylinder engine, CVT transmission works very well. No reliability issues to date. Very comfortable for long trips. Now for the negatives. Subaru missed the mark on several areas. First there is wind noise that comes from the front door weather stripping near the front of the roof and top of windshield. When driving in a cross wind the weather stripping flutters against the body. Next, after 2 years of ownership I still find the door locks unsafe. They do not unlock when you pull the door release handle forcing you to find a small poorly positioned button to open in an emergency. The key fob design is an utter failure. Buttons are not recessed and have very light springs. Bend over to tie my shoes in the laundry room and open the garage door to find the hatch is up or a fan or the car is in some goofy accessory mode with a fan in the dash running which requires the car to be started to get it to turn off. This may not be a problem if you have no other keys on your key ring. I stopped carrying the key fob as it is my wife's car. The many beeps do become tiresome and annoy passengers. I can turn off eyesight and blind spot, but there remains a seemingly random beep that sounds. Original feedback:The doors cannot be unlocked from inside the vehicle without pushing a 1/2" square poorly illuminated button. In the case of an accident, pulling the door release lever will not unlock the door from inside. If you find yourself upside down in a pond - good luck! Maybe this is why Subaru seems to be the only brand that does not give the driver the ability to automatically lock the doors. If you decide to buy, I suggest placing a tool that will shatter the side windows at each outboard seating location. It's 2015 Subaru, door locks are not that complicated. While I am at it, how can a 3.6 liter engine require 7 quarts of oil. A Chevy 454 cubic inch big block only takes 7 quarts. Want eyesight? Well I hope you like random beeps. Beeps all the time for known reasons which is annoying but it also beeps frequently for no discernible reason which is infuriating. The digital clock would be great if it did not display the time with 10 font. You must take your eyes off the road for far to long to see the tiny clock display yet another unique Subaru driving hazard. I wish I had waited for the new Ford Edge to come out.
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Great Car - Lousy Battery
Alan Jenkins, Carlsbad, NM, 12/28/2016
Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My second Subaru, and I'm still, and will continue to be, head over heels in love with the car. I was stranded twice with a 18 month old bad battery. It was covered under warranty, and was replaced..... a minor issue given the great Subaru experience overall. Great cars, Great Service, We continue our romance...
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First Subaru - 2015 Outback 3.6R
echodave2004, Potomac, MD, 08/13/2014
Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
37 of 72 people found this review helpful
Was originally interested in the 4cyl Forester, but after reading about Oil Consumption Issues with the 4cyl engines, decided to go for the 6cyl Outback. The 6 cyl with the CVT is very Smooth/Quiet and has nice pep. There is a little lean with turns, but no big deal (taller car). The interior and infotainment system is much improved over previous models. Speakers are clear, but seem to lack some depth to the sound. USB ports are GREAT for music. Did not get the eyesight/nav system cause of the extra cost. LOVE the blindspot monitoring system. Very happy with the purchase and look forward to the next 10+ years with this vehicle. Bring on Winter!!
average vehicle, too many recalls and TSB'S
Steve, Vail, CO, 11/17/2015
updated 01/18/2018
Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
The first issue at 6600 miles is the , SRVD " system (blind spot ) , has disabled intermittently since new in April 2015 ( over a dozen times) , as others have complained , illuminates on dash SRVD disabled on occasion , it does reset when engine is turned off,after over 40 times I returned to selling dealership in Denver on 12/29/15 , also I have been in contact with Subaru customer service, I had found TSB #Sb 07-90-15 released 04/22/15 just weeks after we picked up our Outback 3.6 liter Limited ; the sensors were replaced along with a module , took a week, it appears to be operating correctly , 01/11/16 , now has 7900 miles; update 07/11/16 14,000 miles, blind spot is working correctly after repair . update 07/12/17 24,000 miles, eyesight cameras are not 100% accurate , as I have been told by dealership service department, at times will alert when a vehicle is up to 40 feet from the front of the vehicle, also cross traffic alert in reverse at times will sound with vehicles up to 100 feet away , also told this is normal, would have not wanted all these new safety features if these issues were disclosed, also if the windshield is replaced, has to have a genuine Subaru glass for the camera's , which can cost up to $1,000 , re-calibration is about $250 of that , insurance won't cover that. Will return for another problem on 07/28/17 , side view mirrors are loose, rattle, screws have to be removed and have red lock-tight , this is a known problem; also as many have complained , the rear power lid at times either opens by itself, or won't open , several times won't close, recently several times it goes half way down then back up ; just got a letter Subaru has extended the warranty on the CVT transmission to 10 years or 120,000 miles, that is nice . Won't buy another one , my 2017 Tacoma is much better; update 01/18/18 29,000 miles ; 3 times to selling dealership for rattle in eyesight camera housing , very annoying , remains not fixed , lots of complaints for same problem , shimmed it with cardboard , still rattles , 2015 Outbacks have a very poor resale value, at almost 3 years old with a cost of about $40,0000, Limited 3.6 liter loaded with all options now worth about $22,000 again not a good value
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