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
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 29, 2018
I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND THE CAR WAS IN "PARK" POSITION. THE CAR REMAINED IN THE "ACCESSORY" IGNITION POSITION (ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES REMAINED ON) BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT GO TO THE IGNITION LOCK POSITION. I WAS THEREFORE UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR STEERING OR LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED UNLESS I HAD A SEPARATE SET OF KEYS WITH ME. EVEN WITH ANOTHER SET OF KEYS, THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED ON AND THE CAR WOULD EASILY BE STOLEN OR DRIVEN BY AN UNAUTHORIZED USER. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY AFTER A FEW DAYS WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA.
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2018
VEHICLE STARTING BECOMES SLOWER FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK AND THEN IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I THEN GOT A BOOST FROM A SERVICE GARAGE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND DROVE THE CAR TO MY SELLING DEALER 40 KM. AWAY. THEY DID ALL THE TESTING, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES. THEY ONLY DID DIAGNOSTIC WORK AND NO ACTUAL REPAIRS AND GAVE ME THE PRINT OUT JUST IN CASE IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE ON OUR 5 MONTH VACATION IN FLORIDA. THIS HAPPENED AT 25,000 KM ON THE ODOMETER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. IT IS NOW JANUARY 15, 2018 AND I AM IN FLORIDA. THE CAR HAS 33,000 KM. ON IT THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED, WITH A SLOW TO TURN OVER FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK AND THEN FAILURE TO START. I TESTED THE BATTERY WITH A LOAD TESTER AND IT TESTED AS "BAD" ON THE GUAGE. WE THEN BOOSTED IT TO START AND TESTED THE VOLTAGE FROM THE ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS 14 VOLTS AND THE BATTERY TESTED 12 VOLTS. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF RUN TIME WE TURNED IT OFF AND IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. AFTER BOOSTING AGAIN I DROVE IT LESS THAN 1 MILE TO MY HOUSE AND LET IT RUN WHILE I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSIST AND GOT THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE NEAREST SUBARU DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT ROADSIDE ASSIST WOULD BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD TEST IT. IF THE BATTERY WAS BAD THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. AFTER 15 MINUTES I RETURNED TO MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES AND EVERY TIME IT STARTED CORRECTLY. MY WIFE THEN DROVE IT 15 KM. TO GET GROCERIES AND IT RESTARTED EVERY TIME THAT SHE LEFT THE STORES. I THEN DID ANOTHER LOAD TEST ON THE BATTERY AND THE NEEDLE NEVER WAVERED FROM THE GREEN AREA OF THE GUAGE. IT LEAVES YOU WONDERING WHEN YOU WILL BE STRANDED IN THE WILDERNESS OR THE SIDE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY OFFER.
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2018
CAR BATTERY DIES COLD WEATHER. NO WARNING. OBVIOUS DEFECT EITHER BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL DRAINAGE. I NOT ONLY OWNER WITH PROBLEM. ON LINE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH BATTERY DYING AND LEAVING ONE STRANDED COLD WEATHER. SUBARU AND DEALER KNOW OF DEFECT WILL NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM. TWICE STUCK WHEN CAR PARKED ON STREET AND GARAGE. WOULDN'T START.
Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2017
I HAD DIFFICULTY SEVERAL TIMES REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THE CAR DIED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME THE LOCAL TOWING COMPANY. NAPLETON SUBARU KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, OR GO TOO FAR FROM HOME.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2017
INTERMITTENTLY ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL GO OUT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS, THEN COME BACK ON. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, I HAVE NOTHING ON THE DASH, NO SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, EYESIGHT, RADIO, ETC. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAPPENS, SO FAST THAT I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO SEE IF MY HEADLIGHTS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY OR NOT, SO THAT I AM BEING SEEN BY OTHER MOTORISTS. IT HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. MY DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RE-CREATE THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL IT IS A SHORT IN THE DASH. IT IS ALWAYS WHEN I AM DRIVING, BUT IT NEVER LASTS MORE THAN 2-3 SECONDS AND THE DEALER TELLS ME TO "BRING IT IN WHILE IT'S HAPPENING". THIS HAPPENS EVERY FEW WEEKS AND HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 22, 2016, crash
THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AFFECTING TOP OF THE LINE SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 LIMITED/PREMIUM MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED IN NHTSA ID NUMBER:10881286. ISSUE: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A DRIVER TO INADVERTENTLY TURN OFF THE ENGINE (WE ARE ONLY HUMAN) USING THE START/STOP BUTTON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, PARK OR NEUTRAL. IF VEHICLE IS ON A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS ON IT'S OWN. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS RISK OF GRAVE BODILY HARM TO PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THE UNATTENDED MOVING VEHICLE. THIS ALREADY HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE, LUCKILY IT HAPPENED INSIDE MY GARAGE ON A VERY SLIGHT SLOPE AND MY CLOSED GARAGE DOOR STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VEHICLE, REMOVING THEIR SCHOOL BAGS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED TO THE GARAGE DOOR BY A 3500 LB VEHICLE. UNACCEPTABLE. I REPAIRED THE SLIGHT DAMAGE BODY WORK ON THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER BUT THAT IS IRRELEVANT COMPARED TO THE SAFETY RISK PRESENTED BY THIS "WORKS AS DESIGNED" BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. POSSIBLE WORKAROUND: 1. SUBARU NEEDS TO CHANGE THIS BEHAVIOR AND ELIMINATE THE RISK BY AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING THE ELECTRIC "PARK BRAKE" THAT IS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE, WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. 2. DISABLE ENGINE STOP UNTIL TRANSMISSION IS SET TO PARK. THE CURRENT AUDIBLE WARNING IS INSUFFICIENT. MY 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE DID NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SLOT UNTIL PARK LEVER WAS ENGAGED TO PREVENT THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 31, 2016
WE PURCHASED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6, FULLY-LOADED WITH EVERY BELL AND WHISTLE REGARDING SAFETY, COMFORT, AND CONVENIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER 2015. THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY FROZE CAUSING THE CLOCK TO FREEZE AT 10:37AM AS WELL AS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (NO VOICE COMMANDS EITHER.) THE MULTI-TOUCH INTERFACE NOT ONLY LOST FUNCTIONALITY ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT IT AFFECTED THE MESSAGE DISPLAY BETWEEN THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER, AS WELL AS THE TOUCH SCREEN OPTIONS DISAPPEARING FROM THE SCREEN, THE MAP WOULD NOT DISPLAY, YOU WOULD PRESS THE AUDIO BUTTON AND AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE AUDIO SCREEN WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ENTER SPLIT-SCREEN MODE WITH THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WHEN TRYING TO EXIT SPLIT-SCREEN, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESPOND. IF I SHUT THE RADIO OFF BY THE BUTTON, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. THE RADIO WOULD SAY, "AUDIO OFF - TOUCH HERE TO GO TO SOURCE SCREEN", HOWEVER THE SYSTEM WOULDN'T SHUT DOWN. THE SYSTEM WOULD STAY ON SPLIT SCREEN WITH THE MAP, ONLY THE MAP WOULD DISAPPEAR. I VIDEOTAPED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, CALLED STARLINK, SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALER, WHO HAS BEEN AWESOME SO FAR, AND WAS TOLD THEY KNOW OF ONE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS SITUATION. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAID TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND "REBOOT" THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP BECAUSE IT DID IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, ALTHOUGH NOT TOTALLY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND ONLY ADDRESSING THE GPS FREEZE. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF TSBS (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS) ON THE RADIO, HOWEVER NONE APPLIED TO THE SYMPTOMS BEING DISPLAYED BY MY VEHICLE. WAITING ON SUBARU OF AMERICA TO ADDRESS THIS AND A ROOF RAIL ISSUE. DEALER BELIEVES THERE WILL BE MANY MORE OF THESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY. REGARDING THE ROOF RAILS, THEY DO NOT SIT FLUSH TO THE ROOF. DEALER REPLACED LEFT SIDE ALREADY AND STILL HAPPENING, SO SUBARU HAS TO ADDRESS IT NOW.
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2016
I PURCHASED A NEW 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON OCTOBER 6, 2015. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON JANUARY 25, 2016, EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES HAD 35 PSI IN THEM AS RECOMMENDED. SINCE THAT DAY, THE SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED 17 TIMES, AGAIN EVERY TIME THE TIRES HAD THE CORRECT PRESSURE IN THEM. THE SUBARU DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FIVE TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 14 DAYS. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A SINCERE EFFORT AT FIRST TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM, I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM--THAT I MUST ACCEPT IT AS IT IS. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 2,200 MILES ON IT. THE SYSTEM MAKES A BEEPING NOISE, THEN A SCREEN COMES ON THE DASH WITH AN EXCLAMATION SIGN AND A TPMS SYMBOL, THEN ANOTHER SCREEN COMES ON THAT SAYS CHECK OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN THE MORNING AS I AM BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND MY VEHICLE IS ENTERING THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, IF THERE REALLY WAS A LOW TIRE PRESSURE, THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON UNTIL THE TIRE WAS BROUGHT UP TO PROPER PRESSURE. MY MESSAGE FINALLY GOES AWAY AND DOES NOT ACT LIKE THE MANUAL SAYS A LOW TIRE WOULD INDICATE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2015
MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM CARS OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS.