2016 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 642 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 22 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleDec 19, 2019
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 19V910000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, columnDo not drive until repairedMay 11, 2016
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.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V292000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftNov 24, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V794000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftAug 10, 2015
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.
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
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.
Campaign 15V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
309 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AAA WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMPETITION SUBARU OF SMITHTOWN LOCATED AT 601 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY 11780 WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURER RECALL TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED A WEEK LATER TO RETURN THE LOANER AND RETRIEVE HIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,270.
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2020
BATTERY RUNS OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT DRIVEN FAR OR FREQUENTLY. FIRST BATTERY REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP BEFORE 2 YEARS, AFTER 3 INCIDENTS. SECOND BATTERY JUST BEGAN THE SAME PROBLEMS, IT IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. POSSIBLE THAT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MINIMAL BECAUSE PRE-COVID THE CAR WAS MOSTLY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY, ALLOWING ALTERNATOR TO RE-CHARGE THE BATTERY NEARLY DAILY. BUT IF THE CAR SITS FOR 4 DAYS IT CAN RUN OUT OF BATTERY. THIS CAUSED A MISSED SURGERY APPOINTMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
AFTER APPROX. TWO WEEKS OF INACTIVITY, BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. REQUIRED A JUMP START. TOOK TO AUTO SHOP; BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR BOTH TESTED AS "GOOD". CAR STARTED NORMALLY DURING DAILY USE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEN, AFTER 7 DAYS OF INACTIVITY, BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AGAIN. CAR STORED ON STREET PARKING. WEATHER TYPICAL FOR SPRING MONTHS IN WASHINGTON STATE (I.E. INTERMITTENT RAIN; TEMPS OF 40-60 DEGREES). ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL SITES WHERE NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS REPORT EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAULTY ELECTRICAL ISSUES. EXAMPLE: HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T58701_DS833514 OR HTTPS://WWW.TORQUENEWS.COM/1084/SUBARU-HIT-NEW-LAWSUIT-OVER-OUTBACK-WAGON-DEAD-BATTERY-ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2020
KEY STICKS IN IGNITION WHEN PARKED AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. KEY TURNS, BUT NOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT REACHES THE POSITION OF REMOVAL. IT OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL STARTS AND TURN OFF'S TO ACHIEVE REMOVAL OF THE KEY. OFTEN REQUIRES VERY FIRM FORCES OF THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION TO ACHIEVE RELEASE OF THE KEY. *TR
Electrical system, May 24, 2020
THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE(SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 3.6 R) FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BATTERY DRAINS VERY QUICKLY. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR RAN FOR SEVERAL SHORT TRIPS, THE BATTERY WAS SUDDENLY DEAD. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEAD 10 TIMES FROM 2016 TO 2020. *TR
Electrical system, May 21, 2020
KEY IS CONSTANTLY STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. *TR
Electrical system, May 9, 2020
BATTERY DIED AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES AND PARKING FOR AN HOUR. COULDN'T MOVE SHIFT LEVER OR RELEASE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. SOMEONE FINALLY JUMPED THE CAR FOR ME Y AND I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY $151.19 AND JUMPER CABLES 26.99 AT PEPBOYS, DBPOWER JUMPSTARTER 74.59 AT AMAZON). 3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AFTER BEING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON OR ANY OBVIOUS SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL DRAIN. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR
Electrical system, May 6, 2020
EXPERIENCED REPEATED DEAD BATTERY AFTER NOT USING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS LEAVING LIGHTS ON OR A DOOR OPEN, SO I WOULD CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET A JUMP, BUT THE PROBLEM STARTED GETTING WORSE. ON THE THIRD YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, AFTER ONE OR TWO DAYS OF NOT USING THE CAR, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. GETTING LATE TO WORK AND MEETINGS JUST BECAME UNSUSTAINABLE. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. I ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF EVERYTHING. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A TOYOTA COROLLA FROM 1998 AND FOR THE 12 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP ONLY EXPERIENCED A DEAD BATTERY ONCE. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2020
CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2016. BATTERY DIED AUGUST 12, 2017 DURING A TRIP FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS TO NEBRASKA WHILE SITTING/EATING AT A SONIC DRIVE-IN IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA. MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED ME FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERY COST WHICH I PURCHASED FROM WALMART WHILE ON AN OUT-OF-TOWN TRIP. SINCE IT WAS SATURDAY AFTERNOON THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED. THE REPLACED BATTERY THEN DIED IN FEBRUARY 2020 AND I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH AN AGM STYLE BATTERY. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2020
THE BATTERY ON OUR 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK KEEPS DISCHARGING AND CAR WON'T START. IT IS IN THE GARAGE. DROVE IT TO THE STORE YESTERDAY. BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY 4 MONTHS AGO, HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2020
IRREGULAR BATTERY AND ELECTRIC ISSUES. WHEN CAR WAS 3-1/2 YEARS OLD WE DROVE 2 HIGHWAY HOURS FOR A MEETING. AFTER THE MEETING (WHILE STILL IN THE PARKING LOT) THE CAR WAS DEAD. WE JUMPED IT WERE DRIVING TOWARD A NEARBY SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE CAR ACTED IRREGULAR ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAD LIMITED POWER AND WAS LURCHING. WE LIMPED INTO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. THEY COULDN'T FIND OR DIAGNOSE AN ISSUE. BUT, EVENTUALLY RE-CHARGED THE BATTERY AND IT HELD. AT AGE 4, THE CAR DIED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WE JUMPED IT AND THE CHARGE HELD. THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROLS CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2020
BATTERY FAILS REGULARLY CAUSING COMPLETE STOP. ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO WINDOWS, ESPECIALLY PASSENGER WINDOW, FAILS WITHOUT ANY KNOWN REASON
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2020
SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DOES NOT REMAIN CHARGED IF THE CAR IS NOT STARTED FOR A PERIOD LONGER THAN TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD WITH 50,000 MILES AND THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THIS HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE OWNER TO BE STRANDED WHILE AWAY FROM HOME, WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2020
REPEATED DRAINED BATTERY FROM MULTIPLE SHORT DRIVES
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2020
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY OUTBACK OCCASIONALLY WOULD NOT START, ESPECIALLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM A TRIP. MY CAR'S BATTERY WAS DEAD. HOWEVER, MY WIFE'S CAR WOULD START RIGHT UP. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND A NEW BATTERY. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR IN ABOUT 5 DAYS BECAUSE OF ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION (I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION). I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND THEY GAVE THE CAR A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. SOMETHING IS WRONG--IS IT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? MY CAR WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY.
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2020
PARKED ON A CITY STREET AND PRIVATE DRIVEWAY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION; AND SOMETIMES THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. DEALER REPAIRED AT A COST OF $535.38 ON FEB 28, 2020. SINCE THE REPAIR, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR VERY INFREQUENTLY. ON APRIL, 13, 2020, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2020
BATTERY RUNS DOWN OFTEN. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR EITHER. I KNOW IT WILL RUN DOWN DURING LOADING OR UNLOADING THAT LASTS MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, SO I MANAGE THAT SITUATION. BUT IT IS STARTING TO RUN DOWN MORE OFTEN WHILE PARKED. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2020
INTERMITTENTLY UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS FROM IGNITION, AS THOUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT DETECTING THE CAR IS IN PARK. WORK-AROUND IS USUALLY TO PUMP BRAKES, MOVE FROM DRIVE BACK TO PARK, SOMETIMES RESTARTING IGNITION AND THEN TRYING AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS REQUIRES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. FOUND SERVICE BULLETIN #16-112-18R, BUT SUBARU IS NOT COVERING COSTS OF REPAIR IF VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES IMPACTED, THIS SHOULD TRULY BE A RECALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2020
DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CARS IGNITION INTO THE OFF POSITION TO REMOVE KEY. KEY STOCKS IN IGNITION AND CAR STAYS TURNED ON IN ACCESSORY MODE. OFTEN TAKES UP TO 6 TIMES RESTARTING AND STOPPING TO GET KEY TO RELEASE. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS THE COMPUTER RELAY THAT ISN'T RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT INTO PARK. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED.... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE APPROXIMATELY MAY OF 2019 TO CURRENT. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY OCCASIONALLY BUT REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT HAPPENED 9 TIMES OUT OF 10.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2020
ONCE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING IT IN PARK, THE KEY STAYS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS ISN'T RELATED TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOCKED IN PLACE, THE KEY IS STUCK. SHIFTING IN/OUT OF PARK NEEDS TO HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES. LOOKING INTO THIS ONLINE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WE ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WITH OUR KIDS BECAUSE THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION.
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2020
MY OUTBACK HAS AROUND 42,000 MILES ON IT. I AM HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. SO FAR ABOUT HALF THE TIME I TURN THE CAR OFF I NEED TO SHIFT IT INTO REVERSE AND THEN JAM IT BACK INTO PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO UNLOCK THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 16, 2019
IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK EVERYTIME AND I HAVE TO JAM IT INTO PARK TO GE IT OUT
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2019
I CANNOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO RELEASE THE KEY AFTER I'VE PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE FIRST TIME. IT CAN TAKE UP TO SEVERAL MINUTES OF ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY TO VARIOUS POINT (LIGHTS ON/ACCESSORIES ON/ENGINE ON), DIFFERENT BRAKE POSITIONS, SHIFTING TO OTHER GEARS AND BACK TO PARK. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT A TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2016.
Electrical system, Oct 20, 2019
REPEATED AND UNPREDICTABLE BATTERY FAILURE WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, I.E. DOME LIGHTS OR OTHER ACCESSORIES NOT POWERED "ON"., DOORS OR REAR CARGO HATCH NOT OPEN. DEALER ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOUND NO ISSUES HOWEVER REPLACED BATTERY. LAST OCCURRENCE 10/19/2019 IN THE HOME GARAGE.FOR RELIABILITY IT WAS NECESSARY TO PURCHASE A PORTABLE BOOSTER CHARGER COSTING $100.00. THERE HAS BEEN 8 SUCH OCCURRENCES SINCE THE PURCHASE (NEW) IN 2016. PLEASE ADVISE.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2019
CAR IS IN PARK AND ENGINE IS OFF AND CAN NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. I THEN HAVE TO START CAR AND MOVE VEHICLE AND HOPES THAT WHEN I STOP CAR AGAIN I CAN GET THE KEY OUT. THIS IS A SAFEY ISSUE AS I CAN NOT LEAVE CAR WITH KEY IN IGNITION IN PUBLIC PLACE. IF I DO AT THE HOUSE, THEN THE CAR THEN DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAR DIES.CAR IS ONLY 3 YEAR OLD!!! I'M NOT TO HAPPY WITH THIS. NEEDS TO BE FIX, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!! BUT I DON'T SEE ONE YET! I READ OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.