Home/ Recalls/ Subaru/ 15V366
Campaign 15V366 Posted June 4, 2015 71,710 units

2015-2016 Subaru Recall 15V366: Brake Light Switch

Recall 15V366 affects 71,710 2015-2016 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, Outback, Legacy, Wrx, and Impreza vehicles because brake-light switch failure disables pre-collision braking. Free Subaru dealer reprogramming.

Subaru is recalling 71,710 2015-2016 Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Xv Crosstrek, and Wrx vehicles equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System because a brake light switch failure can disable automatic pre-collision braking. If the system does not react to an obstacle, crash risk increases; Subaru dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?

The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.

Check my VIN at NHTSA

RecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.

What's wrong?

The affected 2015-2016 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, Outback, Legacy, Wrx, and Impreza vehicles use the Eyesight Driver Assist System to watch the road ahead and help with pre-collision braking. That system relies on signals from related parts, including the brake lamp switch, which tells the vehicle when the brake pedal has been pressed and controls the brake lights.

The problem is in the driver assist system programming. If the brake lamp switch fails, Vehicle Dynamic Control detects the switch failure, but Eyesight is delayed in recognizing that the related system functions are unavailable. During that delay, the automatic pre-collision braking feature will not operate as intended when the vehicle approaches an obstacle.

The warning sign is a VDC warning lamp on the dash. The multi-information display still shows "Obstacle Detected" as the vehicle approaches an obstacle, and the driver needs to press the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.

Who's affected?

Covers five Subaru model lines across the 2015 and 2016 model years, with each listed model tied to both the brake-light switch and crash imminent braking components.

2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek Crash imminent braking
2015 Subaru Xv Crosstrek Switch
2015 Subaru Outback Crash imminent braking
2015 Subaru Outback Switch
2015 Subaru Legacy Crash imminent braking
Units affected71,710
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety 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 crash risk. Watch for the VDC warning lamp and the "Obstacle Detected" message, and stay ready to brake yourself. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, Outback, Legacy, Wrx, or Impreza is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free driver-assist software update that addresses the pre-collision braking failure tied to the brake-light switch.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V366 and Subaru recall WQS-54 when you call.
  4. Drive with extra following distance until the software update is complete; automatic pre-collision braking is affected by this recall.
  5. Call Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 with questions before your appointment.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Subaru technician reprograms the EyeSight driver assist system software. The update is the recall repair for vehicles equipped with that system, and parts and labor are free. Subaru also has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you paid out of pocket for a related driver assist system repair before the recall work, bring documentation to the service desk and ask how Subaru handles reimbursement under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

June 4, 2015 Dealer notification began
June 4, 2015 Dealer notification ended
June 12, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
July 20, 2015 Owner notification mailed
July 20, 2015 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V366?

Recall 15V366 covers 71,710 Subaru vehicles with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. A failed brake-light switch can stop the automatic pre-collision braking feature from working. Subaru dealers will reprogram the driver assist system for free.

What should I do if my 2015-2016 Subaru Xv Crosstrek, Outback, Legacy, Wrx, or Impreza is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific Subaru is included in recall 15V366. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the driver assist system reprogramming. Reference recall number 15V366 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Subaru's remedy says dealers will reprogram the driver assist system free of charge. The work is handled through a franchised Subaru dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is that the automatic pre-collision braking system will not react to an obstacle in the vehicle's path. That raises the risk of a crash. The dealer repair restores the driver assist system programming at no cost.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V366000
Subaru customer service1-800-782-2783
NHTSA recall #15V366
NHTSA recall # (full)15V366000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →