Recall 16V251 affects 766 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles for moisture-contaminated brake fluid. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 766 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles because brake fluid with excess moisture can reduce electronic stability control performance. When that system is needed, poor performance can lead to loss of vehicle control and raise crash risk; Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electronic stability control system on the 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback helps keep the vehicle tracking in the direction the driver intends. It reads steering and wheel-speed inputs, then uses the brake system to apply pressure at individual wheels when the vehicle begins to slide or lose stability. Brake fluid is the hydraulic fluid that carries that pressure through the brake system.
On these Subaru vehicles, the problem starts with the brake fluid, not the electronic control unit. Fluid inside a storage tank at Subaru's Indiana plant absorbed moisture while the tank was exposed to the atmosphere during the summer shutdown. The plant checked the fluid when the tank was received, but not after shutdown storage, so excess moisture stayed in the fluid used during production.
That extra moisture adversely affects how the stability control system performs when it needs precise brake pressure. There is no warning sign before failure. Subaru did not identify a driver-noticeable symptom before the issue affects stability control.
Who's affected?
Covers the Legacy and Outback from the same model year, both tied to the electronic stability control system.
| 2015 Subaru Legacy | Electronic stability control (esc) |
|---|---|
| 2015 Subaru Outback | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 766 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2015 Subaru Legacy or Outback does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Poor electronic stability control performance during activation can lead to loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so treat this as a repair priority even if the vehicle feels normal. Drive cautiously and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Subaru Legacy or Outback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free ABS activation and brake-fluid flush, which addresses the excess moisture affecting electronic stability control performance.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V251 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since poor electronic stability control performance increases crash risk when the system activates.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician activates the ABS, then flushes the brake system and replaces the brake fluid. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a repair tied to the brake-fluid condition, contact Subaru customer service or ask the dealer how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 20, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V251?
Recall 16V251 covers 766 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles built with brake fluid that contains excess moisture. That condition can reduce electronic stability control performance when the system activates, increasing crash risk. Subaru dealers perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Subaru Legacy or Outback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V251. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall WTC-64. The dealer will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Subaru's recall remedy says dealers will perform the ABS activation, brake-fluid flush, and brake-fluid replacement free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost at a franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced electronic stability control performance when the system activates. For recall 16V251, Subaru reported that poor ESC performance can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk. The free dealer repair replaces the brake fluid after an ABS activation.
What if I bought my 2015 Subaru Legacy or Outback used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or the dealer that sold the vehicle. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall WTC-64 or contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V251000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V251 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V251000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →