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: other or unspecified
124 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2018
THERE WAS A PROBLEM REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 29, 2018, fire
I HAD A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 24. WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION WHEN I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRUCK ON A TWO LANE ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER TO THE WHEELS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. I THOUGHT IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON TO ALERT THE TRUCK THAT I WAS HAVING ISSUES. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HE PASSED ME. I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER READ BETWEEN THE 3 AND 4 MARK WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TRYING TO SPEED UP. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED UP AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ONTO A TURNOUT AREA. THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT ASKED IF ANY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. NO LIGHTS OF ANY SORT CAME ON. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND OPENED MY DOOR AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY INSTRUCTED THE OTHER THREE (3) PASSENGERS TO IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FLAMES. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GET A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY TO CALL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE. UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN AND ENGULFED THE CAR. BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. WE WATCHED HELPLESSLY WHILE OUR CAR AND POSSESSIONS WENT UP IN SMOKE. WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND FILED A COMPLIANT. THEY TOOK THEIR TIME AND EVENTUALLY SENT THEIR QA TEAM TO INSPECT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY SENT US AN EMAIL STATING THEY COULD NOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS TOO INTENSE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW JUST TWO YEARS PRIOR AND IT ONLY HAD ABOUT 30K MILES AND HAD ALL THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2018
I HAD EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER, POP, REVVING RPMS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE A SUDDEN POWER LOSS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD LIMITED STEERING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED BY THE TIME I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS THEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. A TOWING SERVICE WAS CALLED TO BRING IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WITHIN AN HOUR TIME PERIOD THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THIS UNFORTUNATELY WAS LATE AT NIGHTTIME, MAKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE VERY MINIMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEMS OF THE CAR. THE SYSTEM WAS UPDATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE REVVING ENGINE, SHUDDERING, POWER LOSS AND STALLING THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE INABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2018
RADIO FREEZES OFTEN, WEEK AGO DEALER PUT NEW FIRMWARE BUT LOOKS LIKE IT DID NOT HELP. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS (SINCE MY LAST VISIT TO SUBARU SERVICE) MY IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND I CAN'T TAKE IT OUT FOR GOOD 15-20 SECONDS. AFTER PLAYING WITH IT RELEASES AND I'M ABLE TO TAKI IT OUT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2018
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT REASON.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2018
THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN I PARK THE CAR AND TRY TO TAKE IT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE KEY DOESN'T WANT TO COME OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES. IT'S LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T REALIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK ALREADY. NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER ASSY. THIS POSES A SAFETY PROBLEM IF ONE IS AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME AND FORCED TO LEAVE KEY IN IGNITION.
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2018
FRONT WINDOWS KEEP GIVING TROUBLE. I HAVE GONE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT ANY LONG TERM RESOLUTION. FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AND DRIVER WINDOW ROLLS UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO CLOSE IT. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS DRIVING. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT IN IN-CLIMATE WEATHER AND CAN POSE A SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2018
MOON ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT IN GOOD WEATHER AND IN AN AREA WITHOUT TRAFFIC, OVERPASSES, TREES OR OTHER KNOWN HAZARDS TO GLASS. THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT I WAS MYSTERIOUSLY HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM NOWHERE, BASED ON THE LOUD NOISE WHEN THE GLASS BROKE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHERE I MAY HAVE TAKEN EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID ANOTHER APPARENT COLLISION. DEALER SAID THE NEEDED REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED, SO I HAD THE WORK COMPLETED BY A LOCAL GLASS SHOP FOR $325 (RECEIPT IN MY FILES).
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2017
I HAVE HAD 3 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2016.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2017
WHY IS THIS SITE REJECTING THE VIN FOR THIS VEHICLE. VIN IS 18 NUMBERS AND LETTERS BUT SAFERCAR.GOV JUST ACCEPTS ONLY 17 NUMBERS AND LETTERS SO COULD YOU EMAIL WITH THE ANSWER AND IS THE OUTBACK ON RECALL FOR TAKATA AIRBAGS
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - NOTHING HAPPENED, RECEIVED NOTICE OF POSSIBLE RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2017
EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY WARNING SHOWED INOPERABLE ALONG WITH LANE DEPARTURE AND FRONT END COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING LESS THAN 3 MINUTES AFTER OVER 24 . PULLED OVER CALLED DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO WALK ME THROUGH RESET. UNSUCCESSFUL NO AVAILABILITY FOR SERVICE SO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT 3 DAYS LATER. CAR WARNING LIGHTS CLEARED ON THEIR OWN. SHOWED ADVISOR EMAIL FROM AUTO MESS. FROM SUBARU INDICATING WARNING LIGHT WAS AN ISSUE. WAS TOLD CODE WOULD BE CHECKED BUT SUBARU WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHEN SOME CARS WERE OVERHEATED. DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED TO CLEAR THE CODE AND SEND PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY. NO CODES REGISTERED AT ALL IN THE SYSTEM AND WHEN I LET THEM KNOW THAT CAR WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT OVERHEATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE SUBARU KNOWS THAT WHEN CARS OVERHEAT IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS. NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT THE GREATER CONCERN IS THAT THEIR PREMISE OF WHEN THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING IS INACCURATE AT LEAST IN OUR CAR'S CASE AND IT DID NOT APPEAR, DUE TO THE REPETITION OF THE COMPANY CONTENTION THAT OVERHEATING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE NOR WERE THEY WILLING TO ENTERTAIN ANY OTHER SCENARIO THAN THAT WHICH SUBARU ALREADY DECIDED. SPOKE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO 7/10/17 CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO STATED NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES BUT WOULD LOOK IN TO IT. BY THE END OF DAY 7.13.17.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2017
AT TIMES, NOT ALL TIMES, THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AND YOU HAVE TO DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO GET FREED. IT HAS HAPPENED TO WIFE A FEW TIMES IN PLACES THAT IS NOT THE BEST PLACES. ALSO IN THE DARKS, IN PARKING LOTS, AT THE STORE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE SAME PROBLEM THEY SAY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE IS NO PROBLEM. MY WIFE HAS CALLED ROADSIDE ASSIST FOR HELP A FEW TIMES. WE FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM AND FALLS ON DEAF EARS. WE THROUGH WE WERE BUYING A GOOD CAR AND OUR LAST CAR. MAYBE WE PICKED THE WRONG DEALERSHIP, THEY KNOW HOW TO SELL, TALK A GOOD STORY BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL WE HERE IS CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THERE IS NO PROBLEM. ALSO WE WERE TOLD TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE 3 AND 9 0'CLOCK POSITION, BEFORE WE TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND IT HAS LOCKED UP THERE ALSO. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR WIFE AND YOUR KIDS BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT GET IT UNSTUCK? ALSO HAS STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAS DIE RIGHT A WAY THIS HAS HAPPEN A COUPLE OF TIMES.[ THERE WERE MORE TIMES THAN 1 ONE.] STATIONARY, CITY
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2017
WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR IS FLOODED WITH WATER. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY MADE 4 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS MY VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS, THEY TELL ME SOME CAR STORY THAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, REASSURE ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, BUT THE NEXT TIME IT RAINS, I AM BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP. ALL THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENED WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF MY VEHICLE PURCHASE. AT THE MOMENT, MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS WILL BE THE 4TH TIME THE FLOOR IS FLOODED WITH WATER. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU OF AMERICA FOR MY FULL MONEY BACK, BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME, THAT THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM AND A REPRESENTATIVE WILL REACH OUT TO ME. WHEN THE FLOOR WAS FLOODED WITH WATER, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IT WAS PARKED AT A PRIVATE PROPERTY PARKING LOT (NOT A GARAGE).
Other or unspecified, Dec 25, 2016
THE CAR AFTER 6 MONTHS HAS BEEN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT RATTLE NOISE THAT I BROUGHT INTO SUBARU TO INVESTIGATE. I SHARE THE VIDEO BUT THEY STATED THEY NEED TO RECREATE THE NOISE TO KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY FINALLY HEARD THE NOISE AND WITHOUT TESTING STATED THE EVAPORATOR PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP THE ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. I THEN PUSHED THE ISSUE FURTHER AND SUBARU AMERICA ONLY RECOMMENDED THAT I BRING THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I DID THIS WHERE THEY PLANED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO AND FROM THEIR TOP MECHANICS HOME HOOKED UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC SUBARU COMPUTER. WHEN WE PICKED THE CAR UP WITH NO RESOLVE, THEY ONLY DROVE THE CAR FOR 1 MILE WHICH MEANS IT NEVER WHEN BETWEEN MILFORD, CT TO MONROE, CT. AT THIS POINT MY FAMILY IS POISED TO LOSE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A BRAND NEW CAR THAT DOES NOT MEET THE LEMON LAW IN MY STATE AND HAS NO RESOLVE FOR A NOISE THAT WAKES UP MY 14 MONTH SON WHO IS A SOUND SLEEPER. THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD THAT PEOPLE CAN HEAR THE NOISE WHEN OCCURRING WHEN INSIDE THEIR HOMES AS I PULL UP. THE LAST DEALERSHIP ADVISOR TOLD ME SUBARU KNEW OF A SIMILAR CASE WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTED AND HAD TO EXCHANGE THE MATTER BUT IN MY CASE THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND THIS AND WHEN I ASKED WHY TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE DENIED WHAT THE ADVISORS TOLD ME FROM THE NOTES. I FEEL SUBARU HAD DECEIVED ME AND IS TRYING TO COVER SOMETHING UP AS I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDED THAT THE EMISSIONS OR OTHER MECHANICS SYSTEMS ARE WORKING PROPERLY DESPITE SUBARU STATING EVERYTHING IS NORMAL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2016
VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS IN PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR DO NOT ACTIVATE FOR SEMI-TRUCKS WITH TRAILERS, BUT DO ACTIVATE FOR CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. I TRIED DURING A 40 KM. TRIP ON A FOUR LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IF PASSED A CAR OR LIGHT DUTY TRUCK THEN THE LIGHT NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN THE BLIND SPOT, BUT IF I PASSED A TRACTOR-TRAILER UNIT IT DID NOT PICK IT UP AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. I REPEATED MY SMALL EXPERIMENT FOR 40 KM. AND EVERY TIME WAS THE SAME. I THINK THAT THE TRACTOR TRAILER WOULD DO A LOT MORE DAMAGE THAT A SMALL CAR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2016
HAVE 2016 OUTBACK BUILT ON JUNE 15,2016. WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 750 KM. MARK. TRAVELING ON PAVED ROAD AND NO KNOW STONES HIT WINDSHIELD. PAID FOR THROUGH INSURANCE COMPANY WITH A $300.00 DEDUCTIBLE. NOW READ OF ALL THE OTHER WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS. CRACK STARTED IN BLACK AREA JUST ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2016
IT IS POSSIBLE TO INADVERTENTLY STOP THE CAR'S ENGINE WHEN PARKING AND TRANSMISSION PUT IN NEUTRAL. THERE IS NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING TO ALERT DRIVER TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION TO "PARK" POSITION OR AND/OR ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE STOPPING ENGINE AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. IF CAR IS ON A SLOPE WHEN IN "NEUTRAL", IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND FIND THE CAR STARTING TO ROLL AWAY.I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS, OR AT LEAST ACTIVELY ALERT THE DRIVER OF THE DANGER, AND NEED TO PUT IN "PARK", BEFORE LEAVING CAR. I HAVE HAD SOME INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT ALWAYS MANAGED TO NOTICE IT BEFORE THE CAR MOVED AWAY. I AM WARY OF THE RISK.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2016
I TOOK MY 2016 OUTBACK IN TO A DEALER PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID WORK AT TIMES. I TOOK IN WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION IN THE FORM OF RECORDED OCCURRENCES OF IT MALFUNCTIONING, BASED ON THREE TRIPS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS TOTALING MORE THAN 150 MILES. THE DOCUMENTATION LISTED THE TYPE OF HIGHWAY, SPEED, MILES DRIVEN, WEATHER CONDITIONS (COULDS, SUN, RAIN, ETC), VEHICLE CLEANLINESS AND THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL DETECTIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES IN THE BLIND SPOT AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF DETECTIONS MISSED. IT WORKED CORRECTLY WELL LESS THAN 50% OF THE TIME ON EACH OF THE THREE TRIPS. DETECTION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEEMS TO BE FINE. ON TWO OF THE TRIPS I HAD A SECOND VEHICLE THAT I OWN FOLLOW ME DIRECTLY. THAT VEHICLE ALSO HAS BLIND SPOT DETECTION. WHILE THE OUTBACK FAILED TO DETECT MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME, THE OTHER VEHICLE NEVER FAILED TO DETECT ON EITHER TRIP. THE DEALER I TOOK THE CAR TO SAID THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND IT SEEMED TO WORK FINE. I CONSIDERED THAT AN INSULT TO MY INTELLIGENCE. FURTHER, THROUGH RESEARCH ON THE WEB I CAN TELL THAT AT LEAST SEVERAL OTHER OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH DETECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS THAT UNRELIABLE PRESENTS MORE OF A DANGER TO THE DRIVER THAN NOT HAVING ONE AT ALL. WHILE I UNDERSTAND FROM READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL IT CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO BE 100% ACCURATE ALL THE TIME, A DETECTION RATE THAT IS CONSISTENTLY LESS THAN 50% IS VERY POOR PERFORMANCE. THE VEHICLE COST MORE THAN $37,000. I PAID FOR THE ACCESSORY, AND IT SHOULD WORK.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2016
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKS APPEAR IN WINDSHIELD ON 2 SEPARATE DAYS IN JAN. 2016 . HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED IN MID JAN BY SUBARU DEALER. ON FEB 25 WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN GA. ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN NEW WINDSHIELD WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE . WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AT ABOUT 70 MPH
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2016
2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHILE DRIVING CAR ON I-95 , NOTICED 4-4 IN. CRACK IN LOWER DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD ,AFTER INVESTIGATING NOTICED SMALL PIT SIZE OF PENCIL POINT WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. CRACK KEPT GROWING. NEXT DAY CONTINUED MY TRIP ON I-95 , ABOUT 3 HRS LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE UPPER CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD , AFTER INVESTIGATING NOTICED SMALL PIT THE SIZE OF PENCIL POINT WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. SAME AS FIRST CRACK I DID NOT NOTICE ANY DEBRIS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD . I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD