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, Mar 21, 2016
I BOUGHT A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON MARCH 5TH, 2016. AFTER TWO WEEKS I TOOK A TRIP DOWN TO ATLANTA AND BACK TO KNOXVILLE, TN. I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 AND GOING 70MPH. I HEARD NO SOUND NOR DID I SEE A ROCK OR DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A CRACK APPEAR. WITHIN AN HOUR OF HOME THIS CRACK GREW FROM ABOUT 3 INCHES TO 5 INCHES. I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS 'CRACKS HAPPEN.'
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2016
THE DAY AFTER DRIVING THE NEW CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES IN LENGTH APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND HAD NOT MOVED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE EXTREME EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWARD THE TOP AND CURVED DOWN.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 11, 2016
WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ON A SMOOTH FLAT HIGHWAY, A SMALL CLICK WAS HEARD. DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AT FIRST. AFTER ABOUT 10 MORE MINUTES OF DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD POP. A 8 INCH VERTICAL CRACK STARTED ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT STARTED LOW, BY THE WIPERS, AROUND THE MID-LINE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUALLY GROWN AND IS NOW RUNNING HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE DRIVER-SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2016
WHILE THE CAR WAS GARAGED WITH THE GARAGE DOOR CLOSED, IT DEVELOPED AT ROUGHLY 12" CRACK RUNNING FROM THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) PILLAR. THERE IS NO ROCK STRIKE OR OTHER IMPACT, NOR HAD THERE BEEN ONE PRIOR TO IT BEING GARAGED. IT DEVELOPED OVERNIGHT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2016
DURING A RECENT TRIP TO FLORIDA, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED OVER HALF A DOZEN SMALL PITS IN THE EXTERIOR GLASS SURFACE FROM CONTACT WITH VERY TINY PEBBLES. THE TINY PEBBLE STRIKES SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH PITS BASED ON MY EXTENSIVE DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS ITSELF, MAKING IT UNUSUALLY BRITTLE. THE PEBBLE STRIKES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY OFF RAMPS. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DURING THE PEBBLE STRIKES, WHICH TOOK PLACE OVER SEVERAL DAYS OF DRIVING, RANGED FROM 60 TO 85 DEGREES F. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE WINDSHIELD AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING INFERIOR ABOUT IT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 28, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD THE WINDOW CRACK (POSSIBLY A SMALL PEBBLE, BUT NOT A ROCK SOUND) AND SAW A CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW THAT EXTENDED TO NEAR THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM. I DISABLE THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM OUT OF CAUTION. WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND A TINY PIT LIKELY FROM A SMALL ROCK/PEBBLE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS LIKE IT FORMED A CRACK VERY EASILY WITH NO NOTICEABLE IMPACT..
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2015
NON COLLISION OR OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. A CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO OWNER WEBSITE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF WHICH SUBARU IS AWARE FOR THE 2015 AND 2016 MODEL YEARS. THEY OCCASIONALLY COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING THEY DO SO AS A "COURTESY" CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN GARAGE ENGINE OFF. WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED
Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2015
I JUST PURCHASED A 2016 OB 2.5I PREMIUM. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. ON FRIDAY I DECIDED TO WASH MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. I STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, RAISED THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER, WENT AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND RAISED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. I THEN WASHED AROUND THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DOWN IT HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER AND SLAPPED IT DOWN ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. AN HOUR LATER I NOTICED A CRACK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DID THE "PEN TEST" AND FOUND A SMALL DEPRESSION UNDER THE WIPER. NO ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD, IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO PASS THROUGH THE WIPER. THATS IMPOSSIBLE. BECAUSE I WAS JUST FREAKING AMAZED THAT IT COULD OF HAPPENED I RAISED THE PASSENGER WIPER AND LET IT COME DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. IT PUT A SECOND CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, NOT ONE EMANATING FROM THE FIRST BUT A WHOLE NEW CRACK. IM TAKING IT TO MY DEALER TOMORROW.