SubaruOutback2015Overview/subaru/outback/2015/base/

2015 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Outback.

Body SUV

Built on Subaru's global platform as a midsize SUV, the 2015 Outback features a horizontally opposed engine configuration that contributes to its distinctive characteristics. This model requires 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 API-certified engine oil for changes. Across the Outback's complaint history from 1995 to 2026, the 2015 model accumulated 505 owner complaints with visibility and wiper systems emerging as the primary concern area, while five recalls were issued—placing it well below the nameplate's peak of 1,029 complaints in 2019 but substantially above its historic low of just 2 in 1995, suggesting the 2015 falls within a moderate range for the model's reliability profile that researchers should consider when evaluating long-term ownership expectations.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3558 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2015 3.6R Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.40 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.50 sec15.80 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD
20152.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.20 sec17.10 sec175 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec175 hpAWD
20173.6R Touring 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.60 sec256 hpAWD
20183.6R Touring 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.20 sec256 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5-8.2
Engine Coolant Capacity7.0
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5-8.5
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts144 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugMetal
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 177.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)575-775 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.75-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
RPM49.3-58 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 152-203 variance 14 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 164 - 213 / variance 7 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /; Front: 20; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 46 /; Front: 86; Rear: 49
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .590

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 21.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90.0-95.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil · Bolts 1-8

114.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
237.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
414.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-435.4 ft. lbs
6Bolts 5-832.5 ft. lbs
7All bolts90 degrees
8Bolts 1-445 degrees
9Bolt 94.7 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs. Step 2: 70.1 ft. lbs. Step 3: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 4: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 5: 7.4 ft. lbs. Step 6: 22 degrees. Step 7: 51.6 ft. lbs. Step 8: 80-90 degrees. Step 9: 40-45 degrees. Step 10: 40-45 degrees; do not exceed 90 degrees. Apply sufficient engine oil to bolt threads and washer.29 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Outback marks the debut of the fifth generation and shows a sharp uptick in federal complaints to 505 from 208 in 2014, alongside the highest TSB count in the generation at 539, though recalls drop to five. Visibility and wiper issues lead complaints at 112 reports, followed by electrical system at 93, with the data not specifying root causes for these patterns. Complaints continue climbing in 2016 (638) and 2017 (917), suggesting the 2015 model year sits at the start of a worsening trend rather than an isolated spike. Crash and fire complaints remain relatively low at 19 and five respectively. The elevated TSB volume indicates substantial manufacturer service activity, which may reflect either proactive corrections or systemic teething problems. For a buyer, this is a marginal year — better than the later generation peak but carrying first-year risk documented by the highest TSB count in the model's history.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
539
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
505
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 505 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper112
Electrical System93
Unknown Or Other67
Power Train20
Engine18
Structure16
Service Brakes12
Vehicle Speed Control11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V251000Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Reported 27/04/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

14V577000Trailer HitchesReported 19/09/2014

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 539 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Outback take?

5.1 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.