KnownCarProblems2016 Subaru Wrx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Wrx, most often about the electrical (32% of complaints). It is 9th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Subaru Wrx problems
Electrical
10 complaints · 32%Passenger side headlights went out. I kept getting "headlight disabled" message on dash, with condensation building up on the passenger headlight, but the headlight kept working so I gave it a week and now passenger side is completely out. I took it to Subaru and they said they will replace the bulb. After taking my…
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Wrx. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated and the cruise control failed to function. The vehicle was taken to Subaru of jacksonville (10800 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225) for the failures at least three times and the electrical system was serviced, but…
Engine
8 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
I was driving down the highway and the car lost a little power start to slow down till it eventually stalled out and now it starts but does not stay running.
Front end collision vs deer on interstate at approximately 75 MPH. 4-5 minutes after the accident the engine caught on fire. The car is a total loss. No one was injured. We all were out of the car at the time the fire started.
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 19%I was driving my 2016 Subaru Wrx down a main road at about 11pm. I was in 3rd gear going 30mph driving straight when the car suddenly came to a grinding halt. I did not apply the brakes and since I was already moving forward in 3rd, the clutch was not pressed. The engine was still on once the car stopped as if nothing…
The bluetooth system has a defect. The first time a phone is connected, the connection works. If that phone is deleted from the Subaru's system, an attempt to reconnect fails. I have tried this with an iphone 5, iphone 6, and blackberry. The service rep at the dealer also confirms the re-connect problem. This means…
Transmission
4 complaints · 13%In my 2016 Subaru Wrx I have had the consistent problem of getting it from neutral into 1st gear. It is either extremely difficult or impossible to get the car into first from a (I.e. Traffic light) stop. It feels like there is something blocking the slot for the gear- sometimes the only way to get it into 1st is to…
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 Wrx recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 16, 2022. Owners may contact subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wre-22.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 wrx vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began april 2016. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wta-62.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 wrx vehicles manufactured april 10, 2015, to october 21, 2015, and forester 2.0xt vehicles manufactured april 10, 2015, to october 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Driver assistance: crash imminent braking
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 the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2015. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wqs-54.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 legacy vehicles manufactured march 10, 2014, to april 16, 2015, outback vehicles manufactured february 24, 2014, to april 16, 2015, impreza vehicles manufactured september 9, 2014, to april 14, 2015, xv crosstrek vehicles manufactured october 16, 2014, to april 15, 2015, and 2016 wrx vehicles manufactured march 23, 2015, and equipped with the eyesight driver assist system. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
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 Wrx
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Wrx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (10 complaints); engine (8 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); other or unspecified (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Wrx have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 21, 2022 (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 Wrx?
- It is 9th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints, with 31 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.