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2016 Subaru Crosstrek Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Crosstrek model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2016 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Electrical
37 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator.
Not able to remove key from ignition have to take the vehicle out of park put it back in park in park and sometimes repeat then able to remove key from ignition. Dealership says it's not covered under the manufacturer's warranty the service advisor nee exactly what the issue was as they just did the repairs to another…
While putting my vehicle in park the key will not release from the ignition. It takes multiple attempts of going back and forth to get the key to release from the ignition. Took it to the dealership and it was diagnosed with "failure to park position, and needed to replace the micro switch plate" with a cost of…
Other or unspecified
34 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles.
Key gets stuck in ignition after vehicle shut off. Can not be removed until trying to shift gear. Seems like it is not going into park. Started august 8, 2019 and every day since.
While putting my vehicle in park the key will not release from the ignition. It takes multiple attempts of going back and forth to get the key to release from the ignition. Took it to the dealership and it was diagnosed with "failure to park position, and needed to replace the micro switch plate" with a cost of…
Transmission
18 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Vehicle was placed in reverse to back out of driveway. After backing into street the vehicle cane to a complete stop then the manual transmission was shifted into drive. I pressed on the gas pedal and the vehicle stalled for a few seconds then quickly accelerated at a very fast speed. This was on a busy road and the…
Not able to remove key from ignition have to take the vehicle out of park put it back in park in park and sometimes repeat then able to remove key from ignition. Dealership says it's not covered under the manufacturer's warranty the service advisor nee exactly what the issue was as they just did the repairs to another…
Engine
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The vehicle was losing power and getting close to the point of stalling but never stalled. It would periodically not switch gears as well. Seems like it could have been a faulty brake light switch. Apparently I was told that my vehicle was not covered under the recall put out earlier for this issue. So I had to pay…
While putting my vehicle in park the key will not release from the ignition. It takes multiple attempts of going back and forth to get the key to release from the ignition. From what I have read, numerous people have had this issue and Subaru has yet to issue a national recall. I have attached a document that details…
Steering
13 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
When trying to turn off the Crosstrek it would not let the key come out of the ignition. It forces you to take it out of park and put it back into drive then back into park a few times to take the key out. I went to Subaru and they said it was a common problem, which they have a fix for. This problem is seen in many…
There is a grinding noise coming from one of my wheels . I'm pretty sure it's a bad wheel bearing . Noticed the noise after braking very hard to avoid a collision .have had the SUV looked at test driven by an independent mechanic . He believes it is the wheel bearing
Fuel system
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles.
Vehicle turned off/stalled at highway speeds on 2 occasions, 2 months apart. Needed to be towed. Significant safety issue. Both times, dealer stated no issues were found. First time they said it may be the brake light switch which was repaired under recall. Second time they said it might be the fuel pump overheating…
Vehicle was placed in reverse to back out of driveway. After backing into street the vehicle cane to a complete stop then the manual transmission was shifted into drive. I pressed on the gas pedal and the vehicle stalled for a few seconds then quickly accelerated at a very fast speed. This was on a busy road and the…
Speed control
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles.
Car intermittently loses the ability to accelerate or maintain speed at a range of speeds from 30mph to 75mph+ in my experience. No response when pushing the gas pedal and engine doesn't respond whatsoever to gas pedal input. It's as if I have removed my foot from the gas and I'm allowing the vehicle to coast. This…
April 2018 while driving on the highway the gas pedal suddenly stopped functioning but the engine was still running at idle. Restarting the car fixed the issue but it happened again 10min later. Both instances almost caused an accident. After the second time it happened the car would not start and it had to be towed…
Visibility and wipers
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield.
The glass of my sunroof exploded while I was driving on the freeway. I was not close behind any car and I was not going under an overpass. Luckily the inside of the sunroof was closed so the exploding class did not hit me.
When driving to work this morning on the highway, traveling about 50 MPH (approx 10 mile drive, mostly highway) I heard and felt a loud crack on my roof, as if something heavy had hit the roof at a high rate of speed. I immediately looked behind me to see if the cars nearby had been affected, but didn't see anything…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Subaru Crosstrek recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began april 15, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wue-90.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 forester, 2008-2016 impreza sedans, 2012-2016 impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 wrx sedans (including sti), and 2013-2017 crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of park.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (37 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); other or unspecified (34 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 28, 2019 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Subaru Crosstrek?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Crosstrek model year since 2000, with 132 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.