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: visibility/wiper
83 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Dec 21, 2025
1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. At this moment windshield crack has been noticed. The windshield will not be available, replacing it on 12/22/2025 2. Visibility has been affected 3. No, problem was not reproduced. Dealer representative said that the problem is not covered by Subaru. 4. Windshield was visually inspected by the dealership representative. I will try to collect more data at the windshield replacement shop. 5. There were no symptoms of the problem. N.B - the crack outside is flat, as if no rock hit happened. - I have camera's MP4, where sounds can be heard, 1GB
Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2025
I had a rock thrown at my vehicle's windshield and required a replacement. I went to a Subaru dealership, Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha, local to me for a replacement. A day after I received my car, the windshield developed a hairline crack emanating from the bottom. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it again. After that time, it was a whole week and a half when I noticed a hairline crack, this time from the top working its way down. I brought it once again to the dealer for a replacement and a better explanation as to what is going on. 1.5 months later, I took my car again and was good for a little over a month, when I noticed the same hairline crack, this time from the bottom. I am up to having three windshields being installed and have no confidence in the safety and longevity of the vehicle I have. Subaru has had engineers come out to evaluate my vehicle and determined that its structural construction is not compromised and have tried to diagnose another probable cause coming from the windshield wiper heater and unplugged it. I have heard crack noises when driving at random intervals and have it noted to the dealership. no further update has been told to me as of the writing of this concern.
Visibility/wiper, Back over prevention, Jul 5, 2024, crash
Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family. Backed into another car with no warning.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 10, 2024
Travelling on I-95 southbound at approx. 70 mph in the right lane at least 8-10 car lengths behind another vehicle in front of me. Clear skies, 78* F, calm weather. I heard a loud, sudden noise followed by wind and what sounded like glass on my roof, thought it was fireworks or a gunshot. Pulled over to make sure my dogs are OK (all good, just spooked!) and see what happened to the car when I observed a large hole and continued cracking noise in the sunroof - glass was pushed outwards/ convex rather than concave as if an object had struck the glass from above or in front of my vehicle. Notified insurance then carefully drove home the remaining 20 or so miles, called dealership and started researching the issue. There are nearly 40 reports of spontaneous sunroof explosions on NHTSA website for Subaru Outbacks. Dealing with Subaru Corporate and a local dealership for repairs.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2024
Windshield cracked on its own, this is the 3rd time I will be replacing windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2024
Windshield cracks on its own. This is my 3rd time replacing windhield.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2023
A crack appeared across the upper middle of the windshield. There was no event, damage, or accident involved. The crack just appeared one day. The crack runs across the windshield in the area of the rear view mirror and in front of the mounted cameras used for the collision avoidance, lane departure system.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2023
Front windshield cracked all the way across. Have not replaced so it is available for inspection. The crack impairs vision. Confirmed by dealer in Macon, GA. Has not been inspected except by the service department at Subaru in Macon, GA. No warning lamps or messages.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2022
Windshield cracked
Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2022
Two windshields cracked in 6 years - this is a safety issue that should not happen.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2022
WENT OUT TO MY CAR THIS MORNING AND NOTICED A LINEAR 6 INCH CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD-IT EXPANDED FROM NEAR THE WIPER ON THE DRIVER SIDE UPWARD AND WITHIN 2 HOURS ANOTHER CRACK BEGAN ABOUT 5 INCHES LATERAL TO THE EVER EXPANDING FIRST CRACK WHICH IS NOW GREATER THAN 12 INCHES LONG. I CALLED DEVOE SUBARU IN NAPLES FLORIDA AND ASKED ABOUT WINDSHIELD CRACK AND REPAIR-I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR THERE 3 YEARS AGO. I WAS INFORMED THEY DO NOT REPAIR WINDSHIELDS, NEVER DID THEY MENTION THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE OUTBACK. I CONTACTED SATELLITE WINDSHIELD REPAIR AND GAVE THEM MY INSURANCE INFO AND HOPEFULLY MY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD AND THE EYESIGHT CALIBRATION.I THEN GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A REAL AND FREQUENT ISSUE WITH THE SUBARU.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 25, 2022
We have replaced about 5 windshields in this vehicle since we have owned it. The cracks form from the bottom of the windshield in the black area where a rock couldn't possibly chip the windshield. Subaru refuses to recognize this vin number as part of their class action law suit that was just settled and has refused to extend the warranty on this particular vehicle although they are covering replacement windshields for other 2016 Subaru Outbacks. They clearly recognize that there is a problem but are refusing to admit fault. You do not need to look far to find numerous complaints in forums on the internet with people describing this exact problem.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2021
On November 15, 2021 my car was in the garage as normal. I started my car and I heard a "pop" I was headed out my driveway is when I notice a crack at the bottom of the windshield that is about 3" high and then curves for about 4".
Visibility/wiper, Oct 20, 2021
Windshield cracks easily. On my 5th windshield, just replaced 2 weeks ago and it’s cracked again. The windshield cracks easily even with minor rock chips. This is the 5th windshield on this car.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 8, 2021
Windshield cracked without any cause
Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2021
The windshield cracked without receiving any kind of impact to it. No rock chip, sudden jolt, extreme temperatures or other weather event precipitated the cracking.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2021
The adjustment of the passenger side side view mirror has malfunctioned. The mirror can not be adjusted properly for visibility of cars to the side of the vehicle. Only the driver-side window is operable. All other windows fail to open from the driver side control. The passenger window will no longer operate from the passenger side either. These windows would have to be broken in order to escape the vehicle in some situations (flooding). My mechanic says that this is a common problem in 2016 Subaru Outbacks. No warning lights were activated. A mirror not able to be adjusted for optimum sighting of other vehicles is surely a safety issue.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2021
A small rock chip at bottom of the windshield, near the heated wiper park area, caused multiple cracks across the entire windshield. Replacement was required as visibility was impaired
Visibility/wiper, May 19, 2021
Windshield spontaneously developed a crack; there had been no impact to the vehicle or windshield.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2021
BATTERY IS DRAINED WHILE PARKED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN AUGUST OF 2020 WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR OUTSIDE CAUSE ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE GLASS. I HAD IT REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IN APRIL OF 2021 THE NEW WINDSHIELD NOW HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS. BOTH TIMES THE CRACKS APPEARED OVERNIGHT WITH THE VEHICLE IN A PARKED POSITION.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2021
2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. A FOUR-INCH WAVY CRACK ON THE LEFT BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD; A WEEK LATER ANOTHER CRACK OF ABOUT 6 INCHES APPEARED. THE CRACKS OCCURRED WITH THE SUBARU CAR IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2021
WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING NEAR THE BOTTOM (CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS) BUT THERE WAS NO ROCK OR DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD THAT PROMPTED THE CRACK. IT JUST APPEARED AND THEN HAS SPREAD ABOUT 2 FEET.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2021
THIS MORNING MY WIFE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR 2016 3.6R SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED 3/2016. IT ORIGINATES AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, PASSES OVER THE 6 RED DEFROSTER WIRES BELOW THE WINDSHIELD, AND EXTENDS ~10" UP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TOWARD THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THERE ARE NO PITS ETC., THIS CRACK ORIGINATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK PERFECTLY MATCHES THE CRACK PATTERN AND DESCRIPTION IDENTIFIED IN SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 12-192-15R, REVISED 11/19/15. THAT BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AS A RESULT OF SUBARU'S LOOSING A LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING BROKEN GLASS WINDSHIELDS BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. UNFORTUNATELY SUBARU IS ONLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE GLASS ON OUTBACKS UP TO VIN G3222455/G3210476. OUR MANUFACTURING VIN IS EARLY 2016, AND THE JUDGE IN THE CASE DID NOT EXTEND JUDGMENT AGAINST SUBARY TO COVER OUR OUTBACK. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR OUTBACK AS FOR THE CALIFORNIA CASE. HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL WEEKS OF HARSH WEATHER, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ~20 DEGREES F IN THE MORNING. THE OUTBACK IS GARAGED, IT IS A WARM GARAGE. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A 2016, WE ASSUME THE EXTREME IS A FACTOR. THIS IS NOT A STONE HIT PROBLEM, ALL THE DRIVING IS NORTHERN NJ SURBURBAN ROADS, NOT HIGHWAY DRIVING. WE SEE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. ATTACHING A PHOTO OF CRACK. I RUN MY FINGER OVER THE CRACK AND ACTUALLY CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING, NO DINGS, NOTHING.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 19, 2021
I DROVE MY CAR TO SKI. I PARKED MY CAR. THE SNOW ACCUMULATED ON WINDSHIELD. AND THEN I FOUND THE WINDSHIELD HAS A LONG CRACK.