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
642 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jan 4, 2021
THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE BELLOWS CRACKED. WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD STARTED AND THEN DRIVEN, A RATTLE CAME FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHEN DRIVEN AT 2500 RPM. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP, THE RATTLE GOES AWAY. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SMELLED FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR.
Engine, Jan 3, 2021
CAR DIES AND WON'T START A NEW BATTERY WILL LAST 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2021
VEHICLE BATTERY HAS UNEXPECTEDLY GONE DEAD THREE TIMES SINCE MARCH 2020. THIS IS AFTER A NEW SUBARU BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IN 2019. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS (2016-2020). MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT REQUIRES SOFTWARE UPDATES WHICH DON'T SEEM TO WORKING. MY VEHICLE HAS 16000 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2021
PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. WHETHER AT HOME OR AFTER A SHORT TRIP, THE CAR BECOMES UNABLE TO START WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WON'T START AS IF IT HAS DEAD BATTERY BUT THEN OPERATORS NORMALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A JUMP START FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE OR AFTER BEING PLACED ON A BATTERY CHARGER.
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2020
THE BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD AT LEAST 3 TIMES, EVEN AFTER FRESH REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO REAR INSIDE LIGHT BEING SWITCHED ON (ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU SERVICE TECHNICIAN). THE SECOND TIME WAS WHILE OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. THE THIRD TIME WAS AFTER BEING PARKED FOR TWO DAYS. THE BATTERY IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND SHOULD NOT BE DRAINED FROM POWER LIKE THIS.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2020
AT ABOUT 71,000 MILES, THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE LOCK. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS NOTICED.
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2020
BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS WILL HAVE A WEAK START. BATTERY WILL DRAIN IF RADIO IS ON WITH CAR NOT RUNNING IN BETWEEN 15-30 MINUTES. MY SECOND BATTERY IS READY FOR REPLACEMENT IN 4 YEARS. TWO YEAR BATTERY LIFE IS UNACCEPTABLE. ATTACHING PICTURE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO TWO SUBARU OUTBACK AT THE SAME TIME. UPON RESEARCH MANY SUBARU OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2020
CAR REPEATEDLY STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF DEAD BATTERY. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2016. FIRST INSTANCE WAS WHEN LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN OVER NIGHT IN GARAGE, 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. SECOND INSTANCE WAS WHEN OVERHEAD LAMP WAS LEFT ON OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. THIRD THE SAME AS SECOND IN A PARKING LOT. LAST INSTANCE WAS TODAY WHEN I DROVE A FEW MILES, PARKED CAR FOR AN HOUR AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER THAT. LIFT GATE WAS OPENED 10 MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. AAA RESTARTED THE CAR IN ALL FOUR INSTANCES.
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2020
BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND IS IN NEED OF A 3RD BATTERY REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN JUMP STARTED 4 TIMES OVER THE YEARS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2020
KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION SWITCH WHEN PARKED AFTER DRIVING. REQUIRES MULTIPLE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK BEFORE KEY WILL RELEASE. FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS NOW EVERY OTHER DAY. VEHICLE HAS 48,500 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY.
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2020
I REPLACED THE INITIAL BATTERY ON 10/22/2018 WITH A BATTERY RECOMMENDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. 4/17/20 I REPLACED THE BATTERY AGAIN. ON NOVEMBER 15, 2020 THE CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED. I PURCHASED A POWER PACK TO KEEP IN THE CAR FOR EMERGENCIES. ON DECEMBER 2, 2020 THE CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETED DRAINED AGAIN. LUCKILY, I WAS STATIONARY WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED. AFTER THESE TWO INCIDENTS, I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. I TRAVEL FOR WORK TO SOME REMOTE PLACES AND AM NO LONGER CONFIDENT IN THIS CAR'S PERFORMANCE.
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2020
WE ARE REPORTING THIS TODAY, BUT THIS ISSUE HAS GONE ON FOR 2 YEARS. PURCHASED AN OUTBACK USED FROM THE DEALER. BATTERY CONTINUALLY DIES, LEAVING US STRANDED AT HOME OR AWAY FROM HOME. SUBARU DEALER SAYS THE BATTERY TEST GOOD, AND TELL US WE JUST NEED TO DRIVE THE CAR MORE OFTEN. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN DAILY, SO THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR ISSUES FROM OTHER OWNERS, IT'S EVIDENT SUBARU IS COVERING THIS UP. UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT SUBARU WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE AND NOT TELLING US HOW TO FIX IT WE'RE STUCK WITH THE CAR IN ITS CURRENT STATE.
Electrical system, Nov 28, 2020
CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER. IT RAINED WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS AND DISCOVERED THE WIPERS DIDN'T WORK. DEALER FIXED. MULTIPLE TIMES THE BATTERY HAS DIED. DEALER NO HELP AT ALL AND BLAMES IT ON BATTERY. REPLACED THE BATTERY IN 2017. STILL OFTEN HAVE BATTERY DIE AND WE ALWAYS TURN OFF THE CAR ENTIRELY AND LOCK IT. ONCE IT EVEN DIED AFTER MY FAMILY SPENT ALL DAY AT THE BEACH AND WE WERE STRANDED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
MULTIPLE CRACKED WINDSHIELDS UNEXPLAINED. WINDSHIELDS CRACKED WITH MINIMAL STRESS MOSTLY WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
MULTIPLE CRACKED WINDSHIELDS UNEXPLAINED. CRACKED UNDER MINIMAL STRESS IN HEAT AND COLD WHILE IN MOTION. INSURANCE DID NOT COVER DEDUCTIBLES OR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION DURING REPAIRS
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2020
2016 SUBARU OUTBACK - THIS STARTED BACK IN MARCH 2020 WHEN WE REDUCED TRAVEL DUE TO COVID-19. IF THE CAR IS STATIONARY/PARKED AND NOT DRIVEN OR STARTED THE BATTERY WILL GO DOWN WITHIN 7 TO 10 DAYS. AT THAT TIME THE CAR REMOTE WILL NOT OPEN ANY DOOR OR TAILGATE BUT THE SECURITY DASH LIGHT WILL STILL BE BLINKING. THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH THE BUILT IN SUBARU ALARM SET. THE CAR CAN BE OPENED WITH THE KEY BUT THE ALARM IS NOT TRIGGERED AS NORMALLY WOULD HAPPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF ON THE COLUMN CONTROL. NO LIGHTS ARE REMAINING ON EXTERNALLY OR INTERNALLY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY/PARKED. THE CAR MUST BE CHARGED OR BATTERY REPLACED (ALREADY REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE) BEFORE IT CAN BE STARTED. AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN CHARGED AND THE DOOR IS OPENED THE BUILT IN SUBARU ALARM SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED - THE REMOTE WILL NOW WORK AND SHUTS THE ALARM OFF.
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2020
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE OUR 2016 OUTBACK BATTERY. IT BEGINS WITH A SLUGGISH START AND THEN EVENTUALLY, THE BATTERY WON'T TURN THE ENGINE.
Structure, Nov 8, 2020
WE HAD A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH OUR CHILD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO SET THE CHILD LOCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE). THE CHILD LOCK DOES NOT UNDO NOW. AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT FOR MANY OWNERS, ESPECIALLY AFTER SETTING THE CHILD LOCKS FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE NOW AT ALL AND WE DON'T NEED THE CHILD LOCKS ACTIVATED. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING FOR OUR KIDS WHO ARE TEENAGERS TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2020
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAVING PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 10/13/2015. I HAVE HAD 4 BATTERIES SINCE INITIAL OWNERSHIP: 1.10/13/2015 2.10/21/2017 (SUBARU REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY) 3.4/14/2019 (PURCHASED BATTERY FROM CSAA) 4.10/28/2020 (REPLACED BY CSAA) IT APPEARS TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2020
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, IN 2018. AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THE BATTERY DIED AND IT WAS REPLACED. IN 2020, HAVE NOW HAD THE BATTERY DIE ON THREE OCCASIONS: 1) AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF, RADIO IS ON FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (LESS THAN 20 MINS), HAVING JUST DRIVEN FOR ~5 HOURS 2) 1 WEEK LATER, AFTER DAILY DRIVING, DOORS ARE OPEN FOR ~15 MINS FROM LOADING UP THE CAR - AT THIS POINT WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. 3) 1 MONTH LATER, AFTER RADIO IS ON FOR ~1 HOUR 30 MINUTES, MANAGED TO START VEHICLE 3 TIMES DURING THAT 1.5 HOURS, BUT ON THE 4TH ATTEMPT IT DID NOT WORK. MEANWHILE 6 OTHER VEHICLES, OF VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS, WHO ALSO HAD THEIR RADIOS ON FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, WERE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY WITHOUT ISSUE.
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2020
MY 2016 OUTBACK BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY GOING DEAD FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. IF IT SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD. I CAN SWITCH OUT THE BATTERY AND IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN BACK TO THE BATTERY BEING DEAD IF THE CAR SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IT'S NOT THE BATTERY, IT'S THE CAR! IT'S HAPPENED TO ME MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT.
Air bags, Oct 27, 2020, crash
WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE PULLED IN FRONT OF LARGE F350 TRUCK, HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE. SHE WAS GOING 15 MPH, AND TRUCK WAS GOING 50-60 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. HER CAR ALSO HIT A SIGN AND TREE, CAVING IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. HER DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND SPENT 8 DAYS IN HOSPITAL. LOST PARTIAL DENTURES, ANOTHER TOOTH AND BENT HER IMPLANT WHEN HER FACE HIT STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAD ABOUT 150 STITCHES TO FACE AND HAS PERMANENT SCARING TO FACE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. SHE WAS WEARING SEAT BELT AND HAS BRUISES TO SHOW FOR IT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AIRBAG IS MADE BY TAKATA. COULD NOT FIND ANY OPEN RECALLS ON AIRBAG. INITIAL IMPACT WAS TO RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN FRONT OF HER 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK STRUCK TREE AND SIGN. AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2020
VEHICLE'S BATTERY CONTINUES TO DRAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO SUBARU FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AND THEY DEEMED THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE SAME ISSUE PERSISTS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2020
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 3/2019, STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY DYING IN A FEW MONTHS, EVEN HAVING THE HATCH OPEN DURING CLEANING WOULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. WE WOULD JUMP IT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN IN A FEW DAYS WHETHER WE USED THE VEHICLE OR NOT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ALONE IN NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT N MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. TOOK THE BATTERY IN TO BE CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. PURCHASED A BATTERY TENDER AND WOULD LEAVE IT HOOKED UP AND THEN FINALLY THAT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. WE WILL SEE HOW LONG THIS ONE WILL LAST BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENS. SINCE WE LIVE FAR OUT OF TOWN WE RELY ON THIS CAR TO BE IN TIP TOP RUNNING ORDER FOR ANY EMERGENCIES WE MAY HAVE. NOT THE CASE, SORRY TO SAY, BUT I REALLY EXPECTED MORE FROM SUBARU AND RIGHTFULLY SO. THEY HAVE EARNED AN AMAZING REPUTATION SO SURPRISED THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2020
BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS WHEN NOTHING WAS LEFT ON AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. IT CONTINUES TO DRAIN EVEN WHEN WE REPLACED WITH A HIGH LEVEL BATTERY