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: steering
24 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle suffers from a "Day 1" latent engineering flaw that causes the physical ignition key to become permanently trapped in the ignition cylinder, triggering an uncommanded, rigid locking of the steering column assembly. Subaru has possessed documented knowledge of this failure for years, cataloging it under Technical Service Bulletin TSB 16-112-18R. Rather than fulfilling its statutory obligation to issue a comprehensive federal safety recall, Subaru deployed a voluntary, time-bound 8-year warranty extension. Subaru conveniently did not notify me of this warranty extension. By doing so, the manufacturer unconscionably ignored this defect, placing its customers at direct peril. They capitalized on asymmetric information to shift both the financial burden and the severe physical safety risks of a known factory flaw onto my family, the moment an arbitrary time threshold expired. My family and I have been at active, continuous risk in this vehicle since the day we purchased it due to an engineering error that was present when the car rolled off the assembly line. The root cause of this failure is a fundamental engineering defect within the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) shifter assembly, specifically, the premature degradation of the electrical contacts within the select lever park-range switch.
Steering, Feb 5, 2026
Brake light comes on while driving and power steering also locks up..
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 22, 2025
The steering warning light came on and my steering wheel stiffened. Luckily I was able to make it home, but when I went back to crank it. The light was still on and it would only move forward of backwards; because I wasn't able at all to turn the steering wheel.
Steering, Apr 10, 2022, crash
I was turning around a bend, going approximately 35mpg, when the wheels no longer were turning as if not responding to the direction of the wheel, almost like it was operating independently of the steering column. The automobile slammed into the curb on the left of the road, damaging the alignment.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 7, 2022
When trying to put the vehicle in park, the key will not release from the engine. After 10-15 minutes of trying, finally it will release, but in reading forums, thousands of customers have had similar issues. It seems to be a very known problem.
Steering, May 29, 2021
Key does not come out of ignition after turning car off. Gets stuck frequently (almost everytime I drive the car).
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2021
KEY GETS STUCK ON IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I TURN CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK. KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES, SOME TIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO RELEASE FROM THE COLUMN. VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE KEY RELEASES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW, VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS AS HAVING TO START AND STOP THE VEHICLE HAS DRAINED THE BATTERY TWICE NOW AND I HAVE HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE JUMP STARTED. HOPEFULLY THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.....
Steering, Sep 22, 2020
CURRENTLY AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK, MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE TO PARK. YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. IF I FIDDLE WITH THE SHIFTER AND ROTATE THE STEERING WHEEL, RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE, AND THEN SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK, THEN I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT. . BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE A FEW TIMES. THIS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS APPROX A YEAR OLD AND I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I HAD THE STEERING WHEEL NOT IN THE CORRECT LOCATION FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED AS TIME PASSED THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT A LOT OF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 16, 2019
IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK EVERYTIME AND I HAVE TO JAM IT INTO PARK TO GE IT OUT
Steering, Sep 24, 2019
DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2018
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY REGARDLESS OF PUSHING, TURNING, PUTTING PARKING BREAK ON, PARKING BREAK OFF. HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOUR TIMES THIS BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND. SO WRONG. READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. SUBARU SHOULD RECALL THE 2016 OUTBACK PREZ 2.5I AND PREMIUM 2.5I. DUDS FOR IGNITIONS. SAFETY ISSUE WHILE TRAVELING AND SAFETY ISSUE IF CAR CAN'T BE LEFT UNATTENDED. HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING TO SEE IF I CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED SO I CAN MAKE IT HOME SAFELY AND GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN I GET THERE. LOVE SCOOBY BUT THIS SERIOUSLY STINKS.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018, crash
I WAS TRAVELING ON I49 AT ~60 MPH, IN LIGHT RAIN, AND NON FREEZING TEMPERATURE. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WITH CRUISE CONTROL OFF. THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I WAS APPROACHING BRUSH CREEK BRIDGE AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STEADY AND STRAIGHT. THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT AND STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED TO GET AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND THE CAR WAS GOING SIDEWAYS. AS SOON AS THE CAR STARED TO DRIFT, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND TRIED TO REGAIN STEERING. WHEN SLIDING SIDEWAYS ON THE BRIDGE, I CUT THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS SLIDING. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR REGAINED SOME STEERING CAPABILITY AND OVERSTEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRIDGE, TRAVELING SIDEWAYS AGAINST A CEMENT BARRIER UNTIL STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AMOUNTING IN ~$10000 IN REPAIRS. THE CAR STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH IT WAS RAINING, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS RELATED TO ANY TRACTION LOSS AND THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS NOT ACTIVATED. I THINK THE EXISTING STEERING RECALL MAY HAVE IMPACTED MORE VECHICLES THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. I SUSPECT THAT THE STEERING IS DEFECTIVE AND THE EXISTING STERLING RECALL DID NOT CATCH ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. I ALSO FOUND IT SURPRISING THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYS, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A HIGH IMPACT CRASH. I HAD BRUISING IN MY STERNUM, KNEES, ELBOWS AND ALONG THE SEAT BELT PATH.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2018, crash
BATTERY DIES IF CAR IS NOT DRIVEN WEEKLY. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE AND STEERING RACK ONCE.
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.
Steering, Aug 1, 2017
WHEN MAKING STEERING CORRECTIONS AS YOU DRIVE, THE STEERING MAKES THE CAR VERY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AS YOU MAKE SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS. THE PROBLEM IS VERY NOTICEABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE SWAYS ALLOT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AS YOU MAKE STEERING CORRECTIONS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. I WOULD DESCRIBE AS A DEAD ZONE WHEN STEERING. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 75 THE VEHICLE CAME VERY CLOSE TO SIDE SIDESWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
Steering, Jan 7, 2017
INTERSTATE DRIVING. 65 MPH. NIGHTTIME DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL OFF. SUBARU EYESIGHT STEERING CORRECTION OFF. THREE ADULT PASSENGERS. NO LUGGAGE. NO EXTRA WEIGHT. THULE ROOF CARGO CONTAINER SECURED TO THE ROOF RACKS. SUDDEN ENCOUNTER OF ICE ON ROAD. SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED STEERING CAPABILITY. WE WERE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 1-90 AND ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED LONG PATCH OF ICE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD. IT WAS VERY SMOOTH ICE WITHOUT SNOW COVER. THE CAR FELT LIKE THE REAR END WANTED TO COME AROUND AND I HAD TO COUNTER STEER TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND DID NOT TOUCH THE BREAK. THE CAR THEN BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS CAUGHT IN DEEP ICE RUTS, BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THERE WERE NO ICE RUTS; THE ICE WAS SMOOTH. THE MOTION OF THE CAR WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE MOTION WOKE PASSENGERS. I LOST ALL CONFIDENCE THAT I COULD STEER THE CAR. I DID NOT TOUCH EITHER THE ACCELERATOR NOR THE GAS. I WAS ONLY TRYING TO REGAIN STEERING. I EVENTUALLY COASTED TO 40 MPH BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL. I HAVE DRIVEN ON ICE FOR 25+ YEARS AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED A CAR LIKE THIS. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS TRYING TO STEER ITSELF AND THEN TRYING TO CORRECT ITSELF FOR AN OVER STEER. THIS LED TO ANOTHER CORRECTION BY THE VEHICLE. THIS BACK AND FORTH "MICRO" AUTO CORRECTION MADE STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR. CAR HAS < 10,000 MILES. NO WRECKS. GOOD CONDITION. TIRES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ALL TIRES AT RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE (40 PSI) THE MORNING BEFORE IN INCIDENT. THERE IS SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. IT IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.
Steering, May 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V292000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT LEFT THREE MESSAGES WITH THE DEALER CONCERNING PART AVAILABILITY, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR WEEKS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, May 24, 2016
STEERING RECALL- NO PARTS
Steering, May 14, 2016
I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE IN A WET SATURDAY NIGHT AT A NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING MALL. AFTER I BACKED UP THE CAR, I SWITCHED THE GEAR TO D TRYING TO LEAVE THE SPACE. HOWEVER, THE CAR SIMPLY DOESN'T MOVE. TO REGAIN CONTROL, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR.
Steering, May 14, 2016
I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC NIGHT LEAVING A SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON A SATURDAY MORNING. THE CAR WAS AT A FULL STOP BEFORE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10-15 MILES/HR, JUST VERY SLOW. MY SUBARU DIDN'T RESPONSE TO MY STEERING. INSTEAD OF MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN, I WAS STUCK AT 30, 45 DEGREES ANGLE. TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, I THEN CAN REGAIN MY CONTROL.
Steering, Apr 6, 2016
STEERING WONDERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CAN'NT HOLD IN CENTER OF LANE. ON HIGHWAY OR STREET
Steering, Dec 11, 2015
DRIVING IN THE CENTER OF MY LANE ON A WET HIGHWAY. CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. LANE SWAY ON. THE CAR ACTED AS IF THE LANE SWAY ACTIVATED AND GAVE A STRONG STEERING WHEEL BUMP LIKE IT DOES IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE SIDE ROAD STRIPE. I WAS DEAD CENTER IN MY LANE, AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO BUMP THE STEERING. IT DID THIS TO ME THREE TIMES WITHIN A TEN MILE DRIVE. AFTER THE THIRD TIME I TURNED THE LANE SWAY OFF AND WAS SOON DRIVING IN TOWN AND IT DID NOT DO IT AGAIN. MY WIFE SAYS SOMETIMES WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, THE CAR WILL PULL VERY HARD AND ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR HAS 3400 MILES ON IT, SO THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKE PADS OR ROTORS.