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
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION MAKING IT UNSAFE TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PUBLIC AREA. (THE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION). REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE REPAIR NOTES INDICATED THERE IS A RELATED TSB, SO THE DEFECT IS KNOWN, BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
DEAD BATTERY AT 38,000 MILES. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY EXISTING PROBLEM. LEFT STRANDED AND OUT $150 FOR NEW BATTERY. SAW MANY FORUMS RELATED TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. SUBARU OWES IT TO THE CAR OWNERS TO ADMIT AND FIX AND NO CHARGE THIS PROBLEM. DROVE AT LUNCH TIME AND WHEN I WAS RETURNING BACK TO WORK IT WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT. NOTHING LEFT ON. WHEN TURNING IGNITION ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AS WELL AS RADIO AND WINDOWS WORKED UP AND DOWN BUT NO START. HAD CO-WORKER COME AND JUMP START AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2019
SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN PUT IN PARK. FREEZES UP. WON'T ALLOW POWER LIFT GATE TO OPEN EITHER. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO TSB 16 112 18R, WHICH IN PRACTICE SEEMS DANGEROUS, AS HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION EVEN FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WITH KIDS IS RISKY. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2019
WHEN I STOP MY 2016 OUTBACK AFTER DRIVING IT MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ACTING LIKE I AM NOT PUTTING THE CAR ALL THE WAY IN PARK. I AM FORCED TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES AND THE CAR WILL BE VERY EASY TO STEAL. AFTER READING THE SUBARU FORUMS IT APPEARS TO BE THE SHIFTER LINKAGE FAILING AND NOT GOING INTO PARK ALL THE WAY. SOME DEALERS STARTED TO REPLACE THE KEY SWITCH AT FIRST THEN THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE SHIFTER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY ITSELF. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACING AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS I JUST TALKED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALLED IT YET.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2019
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE HAS DROPPED TO A LEVEL THAT REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NO AFTERMARKET DEVICES.
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2019
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY FOR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMANDS THAT THE "BELLS AND WHISTLES" PUT ON THE RESERVE POWER IN THE BATTERY. AS SUCH, THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. EITHER STANDARDS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR RESERVE BATTERY CAPACITY, BASED ON ELECTRICAL DEMAND, OR BETTER INDICATION PROVIDED ON AVAILABLE CHARGE. I.E., MUCH LIKE THAT PROVIDED BY OTHER DEVICES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF REMAINING BATTERY CHARGE. THIS VULNERABILITY WAS SHARED WITH SUBARU SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, NEW, AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH SUBARU AND THEIR DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I SHOULD HAVE UPGRADED THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ON MY OWN FROM THE START, BUT ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE DEFICIENCY OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT UNTIL RECENTLY. THE FACT THAT SUBARU WOULD ALLOW ANY OPERATOR TO DRIVE ONE OF THEIR CARS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS REPREHENSIBLE, LET ALONE SOMEONE THAT THEY SAY IS A "VALUED AND APPRECIATED CUSTOMER."
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2019
I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION OR OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHEN IN PARK. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK. THE FRONT CONSOLE SHOWS THE CAR IN PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK. HOWEVER THE KEY IS STUCK. I HAVE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR IN AND OUT OF PARK USING RANDOM PATTERNS BEFORE THE SENSOR/SWITCH RECOGNIZES THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. STARTED AT 40K MILES. MY SON FELT THAT HE HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO CLEAR THE ISSUE AND DRAINED THE BATTERY, LEAVING HIM STRANDED.
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2019
I HAVING PROBLEM GETTING MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION FROM MY SUBURU OUTBACK 2016, ALMOST EVERYTIME I STOPPED AN ENGINE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2019
PROBLEM IN SHIFTER GATE SO THAT KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AFTER PLACING IN PARK AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2019
PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN. BATTERY DRAINS AND DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER FUNCTIONING OF REAR HATCH. REPLACED BATTERY AFTER 2 YEARS. HAVING PROBLEM WITH NEW BATTER AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE HAS PARASITIC DRAIN THAT REDUCES THE BATTERY CHARGE OVER TIME.
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2019
IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. EVEN AFTER TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH ISN'T LOCKED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF.
Electrical system, May 12, 2019
CAR WON'T START THE NEXT MORNING EVEN AFTER CHARGING FOR 30 MIN VIA CONTINUOUS DRIVING/PARASITIC DRAIN ON BATTERY
Electrical system, May 3, 2019
REPEATED PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN. BATTERY TESTS FINE BY AUTOZONE AND DEALER, BUT CAR WILL DIE OVER A FEW HOURS OR A FEW DAYS. SOMETIMES EVEN 10 MINUTES. APPARENTLY ISSUE WITH MAKE/MODEL AS MANY COMPLAINTS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2019
WITH CAR STATIONARY, ENGINE OFF AND CAR IN PARK, KEYED IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO LOCK POSITION OR RELEASE KEY. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR TWO WEEKS, OFTEN MORE THAN ONCE A DAY, FROM 3/10/2019 AND CONTINUING THROUGH YESTERDAY, THE LAST TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 17, 2019
PROBLEM: 360 CCA BATTERIES INSTALLED IN NEW CARS ARE NOT ENOUGH AND THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS. MY FIRST INDICATION WAS A YEAR AGO WHEN I WENT TO THE STORE, WAS IN THERE 10-15 MINUTES, AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE CAR DID NOT START. A FRIEND CAME 2 HOURS LATER TO JUMP IT BUT TRIED IT FIRST AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. SECOND PROBLEM WAS ON A TRIP TO DC IN NOVEMBER '18. NOR'EASTER CAME THROUGH AND WE GOT STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MOUNTAINS FOR A FEW HOURS. CAR WAS STOPPED, NOT RUNNING. WENT TO GET DINNER THEN TO CAR TO GO ON AGAIN. WOULD NOT START. WERE STRANDED FOR 3 MORE HOURS, AS THE WEATHER AND MOUNTAIN DRIVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HELP. WE WERE EVENTUALLY ABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO JUMP IT. OVER NEXT FEW MONTHS, ODD THINGS HAPPENED LIKE THE RADIO NOT WORKING SPORATICALLY, SLOW STARTS, AND THE KEY NOT COMING OUT OF IGNITION OCCASIONALLY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY RECOMMEND A $853 NEW SHIFT MECHANISM, BUT IN THE DISCUSSION HE HAPPENED TO MENTION THE 360CCA BATTERY NOT BEING ENOUGH FOR THE CAR. MY SUSPICIONS TELL ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND SEE HOW THINGS GO. GOT BATTERY- 640CCA, A WEEK AGO AND NO PROBLEMS AT ALL NOW. IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THE BATTERY NOT BEING ENOUGH, AND WHEN YOU BRING THE CAR IN THEY TRY TO GET YOU TO PAY FOR LARGE DOLLAR FIX-IT'S AND AVOID TALKING ABOUT THE BATTERY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS AND MAKES OF SUBARUS HAVE THESE, BUT PROB AT LEAST A FEW YEARS. THEY NEED TO RECALL AND PUT IN BETTER BATTERY, AT LEAST A $500CCA. I HAVE READ CAR GURU BLOG THAT MAKES IT OBVIOUS THAT AT LEAST HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE STORIES OF BEING STRANDED. FOR A LONG TIME OR IN A BAD PLACE. MY BATTERY COST ME $173 AND THEY SHOULD REFUND THAT TO ME.
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2018
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 OLD CAR, ~40,000 MILES.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2018
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AND IT JUST TURNED OFF ON ME. VERY QUICKLY TOO. NO TIME TO PULL OVER. JUST DIED IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS NOT USING THE EYE SIGHT AND IT WAS A CLEAR DAY. BUT THE DASH SAID EYE SIGHT OFF. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BUT IT SAID I HAVE TO PUT IN PARK FIRST. SO I PUT IN PARK AND IT STARTED BACK UP NO PROBLEM AND WORKED ALL THE WAY HOME. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I COULD OF BEEN REAR ENDED.
Electrical system, Nov 25, 2018
DRIVING 75 MPH ON FREEWAY WITH A LITTLE OVER QUARTER TANK OF GAS ON GAS GAUGE AND SYSTEM INFO ON CAR SAID 110 MILES LEFT TILL EMPTY TANK. CAR SLOWED VERY QUICKLY AND ENGINE DIED. PULLED OVER ON FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF DESERT. TOW TRUCK SERVICE TOOK 3 1/2 HOURS TO ARRIVE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID CAR RAN OUT OF GAS AND PUT 5 GALLONS AND THEN CAR STARTED.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A LOCAL ROADWAY, THE EYESIGHT PRE-COLLISION BRAKE ASSIST SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE BRAKES RELEASED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (SUBARU OF DAYTON, 995 MIAMISBURG CENTERVILLE RD, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH 45459, 1-(888) 431-9557) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND SO INCIDENT SINCE. UPDATED 12/20/18*JB
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2018
THE KEYS BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAR. UNABLE TO REMOVE. ALSO UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR FULLY. SOMETIMES REPARKING MULTIPLE TIMES HELPS.
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2018
THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT RELEASE WHE THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK.
Electrical system, May 22, 2018
DEAD BATTERY. THREE TIMES MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY WHEN TESTED WITH A LOAD TESTER SAYS,"BAD BATTERY". AFTER BOOSTING AND RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES IT TESTS "OK" AND THE ALTERNATOR AND STARTER TEST OK. UPON THE 3RD TIME IT MALFUNCTION I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE //DEALER ON A ROLL DECK. THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND JUST CHARGES THE BATTERY AND SAYS IT IS OK. "IT IS NOT OK WHEN IT HAPPENS @ 25,00 KM. AND 32,000 KM AND 40,000 KM. THE BATTERY HAS LESS CRANKING AMPS THEN MY RIDING LAWNMOWER, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS WHAT SUBARU RECOMMENDS . WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO TREAT THE CAUSE, NOT THE SYMPTOMS? EACH TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS LUCKY TO BE CLOSE TO HELP.
Electrical system, May 17, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2018
I HAVE LEARNED BECAUSE MY WIFES CAR IS ALSO A 2016 SUBARU THAT SOY BASED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN USED IN WIRING AND HOSES OF MY OUTBACK CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE RODENTS AND SQUIRRELS ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS PRODUCT AND WILL CHEW ON THEM THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT TO THE SOY PRODUCTS SO THIS IS A LONG TERM SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. WE HAVE ALREADY INCURRED DANGEROUS AND COSTLY DAMAGE TO ONE SUBARU AND ARE CONCERNED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN TO ONE OR BOTH OF OUR CARS.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2018, crash
BATTERY DIES IF CAR IS NOT DRIVEN WEEKLY. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE AND STEERING RACK ONCE.