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, Jul 14, 2021
Have had to replace battery twice. A short time leaving a light on drains the battery very quickly.
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2021
The original battery drained when a door is left open for an extended period of time. We replaced the battery in 2019 and also bought a battery booster because of this issue. We thought replacing the battery would fix the, however, the draining issue still occurs from time to time. We didn't think to file a complaint, but saw an article in the news describing the same issue we're experiencing and that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Subaru for this issue, so we decided to file a complaint.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
On my third ( 3 ) battery since 2016.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
The battery keeps draining and needing to be replaced. I need a new battery every 18 months or so. Also, please note that there is not one incident. There is a pattern of the battery needing to be replaced.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
original battery dead in less than 2 years, needing replacement in January 2018. Subaru dealer advised replacement, local repair store confirmed it was dead. Purchased replacement local as dealer quote was over $300. The battery was dead, and replaced again in 12/2019, and again in 10/2020. These issues have left us stranded, often in cold/freezing weather. No sign of wearing or issues occurs until the vehicle just does not start. All of our other vehicles have never gone through batteries this frequently. Additionally, with the many batteries (4 total so far, in 6 years, and 80k miles) from multiple sources, I do not believe that defective batteries are the case
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
Battery drains when car is off and parked with no lights on, causing multiple jump starts to the car, and a need to buy a new battery.
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2021
My battery dies intermittently and will not start until I receive a jump start. it seems to occur after day trips in the mountains,, but no emergency lights come on to indicate a low battery while driving. we have had to get an emergency jump start an now must carry around a spare battery charger to jump start my car. I've had the dealership look at this and they find no issues. I've had both my battery and alternator tested and they are still good. I stopped using my phone charger, thinking that may be the issue, but it still happens. I worry I'll be stranded somewhere and the Jumpstart battery won't be able to give me a kick. This has occurred at least 10 times and is increasing in frequency.
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2021
after having the 2916 Subaru outback detailed, the car wouldn't start, apparently if a door is left open for 10 minutes or more the battery drains, Jump started the vehicle and it starts right up
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2021
The electrical system drains the battery. It happened first in Feb 2020. Car was locked and could not be opened with manual key, so AAA Roadside Service had to use a bladder and bar to break in and open car, damaging the driver door. There is now constant road noise where it used to be a particularly quiet interior. The battery was completely drained and tested low so they replaced it. One year later, Feb 2021, the same thing happened despite the car being driven every day and the alternator working fine. Four months later it happened again, this time when the car was in long term parking at SFO Intl Airport June 29-July 5. Again they had to pry open the driver door to unlock, battery tested at 40%, alternator tested fine, and AAA replaced the battery still under warranty. We can no longer trust or rely on this car to start and I no longer lock the car in case the problem recurs - I have zero reason to expect it will miraculously stop happening. My wife wants to sell the car.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2021
Unable to remove key from ignition when car is parked. I am unable to leave car without threat of it being stolen. An internet search indicates this is a common problem and repair cost can be several hundred dollars
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2021
Battery has died several times over the past few months. The last time (7/3/21) within 48 hours of being fully charged. Subaru replaced the battery several months ago, so it’s a fresh battery. They did not mention the electrical system problems they know about and have known about since 2017.
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2021
Over the last 7-8 months. Has gotten progressively worse. With car parked and turned off cannot get key out of ignition. Have to sometimes restart car and move it forward and backward and that doesn’t always release key after turning off. Or move shift lever from park to drive many times and that doesn’t always work. Or turn ignition key back and forth and pushing in on it . Does it on both level parking and inclined parking Has taken as long as 15 minutes to be able to get key out and leave my car. Called three dealerships . One said yes he’s heard of it happening , other to 2 other Subaru dealerships said they have to diagnose the problem . I found 3 technical service bulletins on Nhtsa web site referring to identical problem . It was called “shift lever complete “ for 2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy.Service bulletin# 16-112-18R
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2021
The ignition sensor is faulty and doesn't consistently recognize when the car is in park, and as a result, will not release the key from the ignition. After some research, many other Subaru owners have experienced this same issue.
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2021
On 8/30/2018, the car wouldn’t start after it was driven to a parking lot. The battery was jumped, car taken home, and then the battery was charged at local car parts store. On 6/7/2021, the car wouldn’t start after two days of no use. The battery was jumped and driven for 30 min. On 6/12/2021, the battery was replaced, and driven intermittently 6/12 and 6/13. On 6/16/2021, the car wouldn’t start with no panel or indicator lights working at all.
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery had failed on several occasions after starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery warning light intermittently flashed during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to three separate independent mechanics and had the battery replaced however, the failure persisted after each battery replacement. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the technician discovered that the radio was causing an electrical drain on the battery which could render the battery defective. The battery was replaced for a fourth time and the radio was disconnected however, two weeks after the repair, the battery failed again and the vehicle was returned to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2021
For the past four years the car has insufficiently charged the battery. On two occasions the car would not start and had to be jumped. At first I attributed it to something I may have done like leaving an interior light on, but after the second incident I found out that other owners of the same car were having similar problems. I called the dealer and they said it might help to install a higher CCA rated battery.I replaced the original battery in 2018 with a higher rated Interstate CCA battery. That battery was also over time not being charged sufficiently and I took it back to the Firestone dealer who installed another Interstate Brand battery replacing it in 2020 under warranty. I called the dealership again and they said there was no reported issues with Subaru Outbacks insufficiently charging and that I just had to drive the car more frequently. So far the car has failed to start on 5 occasions, stranding either myself or my wife, twice in unsafe situations. I now routinely have to charge the battery in my garage about once a month to keep it operational, even after driving the car frequently. On 5/3/2021 I took the car back to the dealer for some service work. I asked again if there was any fix for the charging issue. They tested the battery and recorded that it "came up as deeply discharged". They said there was "No abnormal draw found ---vehicle charging normally."
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2021
The issue I am reporting is an issue with the electrical system that is causing battery to drain to dear overnight. This past Sunday I experienced a completely dead battery without any warning lamps or messages and no prior symptoms to indicate battery was not charging. After replacing the battery the next day, the car started with no problem. However, the next morning that brand new battery was dead. After jump-starting and allowing to run for a period of time to recharge the battery, I turn the car off and restarted several times. Once again, the next morning the battery was completely dead. Upon replacement of the newest battery, I checked the vehicle to ensure that nothing was left on that would cause the battery to drain overnight. There appears to be some type of "parasitic drain" within the electrical system that is causing this rapid battery drain. Luckily, this did not take place while my family and I were traveling which would have potentially placed us in a position which would have put our safety at risk. After researching information regarding this on the internet, it appears to be a known problem with my year and model vehicle.
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2021
Lately when i put the car in park I can not remove the key. I need to either play around with the shift lever or usually start the car, back up, and forward and try again until I get the key out. Not a good solution. I have been reading about the problem of the defective shift selector and the associated service bulletin # 16-112-18R. I would like to get this fixed rather than using the on-line suggestions of jumpering the switch which seems like a possible safety problem. Because this is happening due to a defective shift selector I think Subaru should be picking up the cost to make this right. The car has only 45,000 miles on it. I have contacted Subaru but ahve not heard back from them yet. The dealer cost to repair this is approximately $600
Electrical system, May 28, 2021
continual drain causing battery to go dead we are on battery number 4 since buying the vehicle new in August 2016 Have taken it to 2 different dealers and are told there is nothing wrong. Have been stranded multiple times both day and night causing unsafe environment while trying to wait for a jump start
Electrical system, Lane departure, May 27, 2021
My battery dies often and doesn’t seem to hold a charge as long as a typica new car I’ve had to jump it 6 times in the last 8 months- Regarding the side marker lane assist- it has been diagnosed as a loose sensor and had been re adjusted by dealership multiple times but end up failing again a couple weeks later.
Electrical system, May 26, 2021
During winter vacation in Upper Michigan my 2015 Subaru Outback did not start, (I'm from Illinois appox 45 miles west of Chicago) nothing electrical in it worked at all. Battery was totally drained. There were no problems prior to this happening. Went to try to start vehicle the next morning and to no avail. We did happen to find someone who was able to jump start our vehicle. Had to buy a new battery.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, May 25, 2021
My 2016 Subaru OUTBACK has experienced 6 separate incidents where my vehicle battery was inexplicably drained, and hence the entire electrical system was shut down. I was unable to start it without an external boost in each occasion. Fortunately these incidents posed no safety threat to me or others as the car was parked at my home, or in a parking lot. Unfortunately, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by my Subaru Dealer, Gillman, in Schertz, TX although extensive diagnostics were performed on 2 occasions by Gillman. My OUTBACK has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps illuminated because of a total electrical failure, and no other symptoms of the problem prior to the 6 failures. The dates for the 5 incidents of total electrical failure are the following: (1) 6/18/2018 at 1240 Kahili Street, Kailua, HI. AAA replaced my original Subaru battery (I do not have original AAA receipt, but other documentation) (2) 10/13/2018 at 1240 Kahili Street, Kailua, HI. AAA replaced my battery. (3) 9/16/2019 at 306 FM 621, San Marcos, TX. AAA replaced my battery. (4) 7/27/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. AAA replaced my battery. (5) 9/5/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. AAA replaced by battery. (6) 10/7/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. Gillman Subaru removed an aftermarket device for corrosion protection installed by SERVCO Subaru, Honolulu.
Electrical system, May 20, 2021
Battery failure numerous times, battery replaced 1/02/19. Battery drain several times during 2017 through 2021 .
Electrical system, May 18, 2021
Battery drains for any small electrical left on appears to be electrical defective
Electrical system, May 18, 2021
On two occasions, car would not start. Road service was able to start it by jumping. Third occasion of no start a jump start did not work. The battery was about three years old. I was unaware of the five year warrantee so I brought the battery to a auto parts store to have it check. Was told it won't accept a charge but the charging system was good. I purchased a new battery but about a year later the same dead battery issue happened. Checking to make sure that I did not leave a door open or any electrical component on, I jumped started the car. BUT each time I start the car, I hold my breath hoping it will start. I even purchased a portable charging kit just in case I am unable to get road service.