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2016 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 643 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Outback, most often about the electrical (48% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2016 Subaru Outback problems
Electrical
309 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn, adas.
Key I unable to be removed from ignition intermittently at an increasing rate. Driver has to repeatedly put the car in drive and then park to try to remedy the issue to be able to turn off the car and remove the key.
Electronic parking brake engaged automatically due to switch assembly module failure while car was in motion at between 25-30mph. Car stopped instantly, passengers thrown forward, all-power died. Cars in rear stopped short. Failed to restart after initial attempts (10 min). Weather clear, about 45 degrees f. 2.5 year…
Other or unspecified
124 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
There was a problem removing the key from the ignition. Took it to the dealer and they said there was a known problem with the shifter assembly.
Key intermittently does not come out of ignition when parked. This is a well known issue with a technical service bulletin issued by Subaru. This can be a safety issue. Why has a recall not been issued for this?
Visibility and wipers
91 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls.
Driving on a 4 lane highway in a rural area at 7:30 in the morning, no other traffic around. I heard a sound like a small stick being broken. It got my attention and I wondered what in the world was that. About 10 miles later I noticed a crack coming up from the bottom of the windshield right in front of my face. It…
While driving southbound at about 55 MPH on a smooth level divided highway on a clear day with a temperature of about 45 degrees my moon roof exploded. Both the glass portion and the inner sliding cover were closed. There was a loud "wham," and then a rattling sound that turned out to be the shards of class bouncing…
Engine
55 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
2.12 february 2021, vehicle milage approaching 42,000. Traveling from mazama wa to seattle via wa hwy 20, US 97 and I-90, traveled +/- 200 miles. Temperature ranges from 10f to 20f. Traveling west on I-90 +/-50 MPH, lanes clear, snow in between lanes. New michelin tires on all 4 wheels. Holding the speed constant…
The car was parked in the garage and it was above freezing. None of the lights had been left on/doors open... The car doesn't have a fob kept too close... The car wouldn't start. This isn't the first time this has happened and we're not sure if it's a battery, alternator, electrical issue or what. We've had the…
Transmission
45 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I had experienced a shudder, pop, revving rpms of the vehicles before a sudden power loss at highway speed (65mph). I was unable to accelerate and had limited steering to get off the highway safely. The vehicle had stalled by the time I was on the side of the road. I was then unable to restart the vehicle after…
Car stalled in the middle of an intersection. It was truly frightening because the baby was in the car and it was during morning commute rush hours when everyone is rushing. The car is relatively new with 35k miles and am the only owner of the vehicle. Was at an intersection and waiting for my turn to make a left. The…
Steering
24 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles.
Currently at least a couple times a week, my key gets stuck in the ignition while shutting off vehicle to park. You can turn the vehicle off, but you can't remove the key. If I fiddle with the shifter and rotate the steering wheel, restart the vehicle, and shift it into drive, and then slam it back into park, then I…
Driving in the center of my lane on a wet highway. Cruise control on at 65 MPH. Lane sway on. The car acted as if the lane sway activated and gave a strong steering wheel bump like it does if you are close to the side road stripe. I was dead center in my lane, and there was no reason for it to bump the steering. It…
Speed control
22 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Outback. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. The front end was severely damaged and the vehicle was destroyed; however, the air bags did not deploy. A police…
While driving slowly on street or pulling into intersection after light turned green, car has apparently slipped into neutral five times in the last two years. No ability to accelerate until put car into park and then into drive. No warning lights or alarms. Dealer unable to duplicate and says without duplicating…
Body and structure
19 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
During a 75 MPH drive on an interstate hwy the moonroof exploded. Due to circumstances we could not visit a dealer and were compelled to tape a temporary cover to the vehicle to limit wind noise. Later in the trip rain occurred, which leaked into the vehicle damaging the interior.
On 09/19/2017 I have brought our vehicle to lithia reno Subaru for service on the front passenger door panel. When the door handle was pulled on while closing the door, the door panel pulled in excessively. Lithia reno Subaru determined that three screws were missing on inner door panel. I believe this defect existed…
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 Outback recalls
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began february 3, 2020. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wux-09.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Steering: column
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began may 13, 2016. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is wtd-65. Note: until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 legacy and outback vehicles manufactured february 29, 2016, to may 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on december 10, 2015. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is wqv-57.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 legacy vehicles manufactured october 24, 2015, to november 16, 2015, and outback vehicles manufactured october 24, 2015, to november 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on august 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wqu-56.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year subaru legacy 4-door and outback vehicles manufactured july 3, 2015, to july 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2016 Subaru Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (309 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); other or unspecified (124 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles); visibility and wipers (91 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Outback have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 19, 2019 (air bags). 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 Outback?
- It is 6th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 643 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.