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.
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2020
WE PURCHASED A 2016 OUTBACK IN 2019 WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE AND WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE BATTERY FAILED ON US MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CAR REQUIRED A JUMP IN ORDER TO START. THIS HAPPENED WHEN ON GROCERY TRIPS, OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE IN THE MORNING, AND EVEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP. AFTER SEEING A MECHANIC, PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND STILL ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE. WE SAW A SECOND MECHANIC, AND PURCHASED A NEW ALTERNATOR RECENTLY AND CONTINUE TO HAVE FREQUENT BATTERY FAILURES, SOMETIMES AS OFTEN AS ONCE PER WEEK, REQUIRING A JUMP TO START THE CAR. THIS SEEMS VERY ODD GIVEN THE NEWNESS OF THE CAR, BATTERY, AND ALTERNATOR AND WE BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE CAR WIRING. THIS MONTH WE HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE COULD FIND NO ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR, HIS THOUGHT WAS IT COULD BE DUE TO FAULTY VEHICLE WIRING. WE THEN RESEARCHED AND HEARD THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR OUR MODEL / YEAR AGAINST SUBARU FOR THIS AND BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE IS IMPACTED. THIS HAPPENS VERY OFTEN, WE NOW HAVE PURCHASED A PORTABLE BATTERY PACK SO WE CAN JUMP OUR CAR AS NEEDED AND AGAIN THE ISSUE HAPPENED THIS MORNING.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2020
BATTERY IS DRAINED PREMATURELY. POSSIBLY BY A DRAIN FROM THE ECM. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR OF USE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2020
WINDSHIELDS KEEPS CRACKING. REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF EYESIGHT CALIBRATION. WINDSHIELD CRACKED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN EARLY 2018, REPAIRED IT IMMEDIATELY, THEN CRACKED AGAIN WITHIN 2 OR 3 MONTHS. CRACK BOTH TIMES SPREAD MORE THAN 6 INCHES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2020
BATTERY DIES WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. CAREFUL TO BE SURE NO LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON OR DOORS AJAR. I'M NOW ON MY THIRD BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. REPLACED OEM BATTERY WITH UP SIZED GROUP 34 TO INCREASE CCA AND RESERVE CAPACITY. ALSO PURCHASED A LITHIUM ION JUMP STARTER TO CARRY AROUND IN CASE OF DEAD BATTERY. THE UPSIZED BATTERY BEGAN FAILING AGAIN AFTER 2 YEARS. REPLACED WITH UPSIZED AGM BATTERY. CAN'T TRUST THE CAR TO SAFELY TRANSPORT MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILDREN ANYMORE.
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2020
I AM NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY YET WHEN TRAVELING I NEED TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, RESTART THE CAR STRESSING MY IGNITION SYSTEM, OR MOVE SLIGHTLY IN REVERSE AND BACK TO PARK TO REMOVE THE KEY. EACH TIME IS DIFFERENT, SOMETIMES I CAN REMOVE THE KEY, SOMETIMES I CANNOT.
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2020
MY KEYS KEPT GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE UNABLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. I HAD THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAR TOO COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL OF SUBARU OUTBACKS. THIS IS THE NUMBER 1 CAR COMPLAINT AND THOUSANDS OF FOLKS ON FORUMS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2020
WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED UP ON A COLD MORNING IT IDLES TOO FAST AND LURCHES DANGEROUSLY WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE. I HAVE TO HOLD THE CAR BACK WITH FIRM BRAKING. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE CAR IS A 2016 OUTBACK 3.6 R WITH A 6 CYLINDER ENGINE.
Engine, Oct 6, 2020
A VALVE SPRING FAILED, CAUSING THE VALVE TO BREAK AND BECOME EMBEDDED IN THE PISTON.THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE.
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF HER RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ASKED A NEIGHBOR FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED. (BATTERY TYPE INTERSTATE 25-550 FITMENT 6). THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY THE TECHNICIAN. NO DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAILURE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED BATTERY DIED A YEAR LATER AFTER REPLACEMENT.*JB
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2020
WITH 39000+ MILES ON WE ARE ON 3RD BATTERY. WAITING FOR RELATIVE TO HELP..HUSBAND DISABLED AND HAD TO CANCEL DR APPT TODAY AS IT WOULD NOT START...SCARED TO GO ANYWHERE FOR FEAR IT WILL NOT START. NOT GOOD.FORTUNATELY MOST TIMES IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE. ALWAYS GARAGED.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2020
II WAS DRIVING ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY WITH NO CARS IN CLOSE VICINITY WHEN WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CRACK WAS ON DRIVER SIDE NEAR EDGE ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. ON INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE NO NICKS OR PITS IN THE WINDSHIELD, JUST THE CRACK. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS WIERD THAT A SIMILAR CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS HE WAS REMOVING THE SHIELD FROM THE CAR.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED, ORIGINATING FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW, ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO WHILE PARKED WITHOUT ANY OVERHANGING HAZARDS OR ADVERSE WEATHER. THERE IS NO ASSOCIATED GLASS 'DING' FROM AN IMPACT. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT LED TO A LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU INVOLVING 2015-2016 OUTBACK'S.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2020
SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT BERTERA SUBARU OF HARTFORD STATING IGNITION SWITCH PLATE NEEDS REPLACEMENT $650 JOB MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MODEL YEAR
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2020
I HAVE HAD 3 BATTERIES REPLACED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. PERIODICALLY THE BATTERY JUST DRAINS UNEXPECTEDLY AND I AM STUCK WHEREVER THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE PARKED. THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF LIGHTS BEING LEFT ON, DOORS OPEN, RADIO ON, ETC. SUBARU REPLACES THE BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL GET STUCK BECAUSE OF A DRAINED BATTERY.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2020
WE PURCHASED A CAR BRAND NEW IN SAVANNAH, GA AND SINCE HAVE REPLACED WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES. IT HAS A SMALL CRACK AGAIN. ALL OUR REPLACEMENTS OCCURRED AGAINST OUR INSURANCE. OUR COVERAGE HAS INCREASE IN PREMIUMS. PREVIOUSLY, I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON REGULAR OCCURRENCE. ANOTHER ISSUE - WHEN IT RAINS THE VISIBILITY IS EXTREMELY POOR. DESPITE I BUY THE EXPENSIVE WIPERS TO REPLACE THEM AT LEAST ONCE IN 12 MONTHS UNABLE TO ADJUST/INCREASE THE WIPER SPEED FOR THE HEAVY RAIN MAKES THE DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. OPTIONAL EYESIGHT WHICH WAS ADDED AS AN OPTION IS SHUTS ITSELF DUE TO THE HEAVY RAIN AND IS NO HELP. EYESIGHT IS ALSO UNDERPERFORM WHAT WAS PROMISED BY MANUFACTURER. ALL ABOVE APPLIES FOR VEHICLE IN MOTION.
Power train, Sep 11, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND VIOLENTLY HALTED THE CAR TO A STOP. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT IT WASN'T DURING A BUSY TIME AND AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THAT CAR HAS HAD. IN 2018 THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 68,000 MILES. LUCKILY IT WAS FULLY COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT IT. LATER THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE GIVEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION WHICH EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000. THE NEWEST TRANSMISSION (THE ONE THAT JUST VIOLENTLY GRINDED TO A HALT ON THE HIGHWAY) CURRENTLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON THAT NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT SUBARU WILL NOT HONOR THE 100,000 WARRANTY EXTENSION BECAUSE THE REMAINDER OF THE VEHICLE HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. I DO COUNT MYSELF LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND WE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING 40 MILES PER HOUR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 30, 2020
WE HAVE HAD 2 MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR: 1- MULTIPLE EPISODES OF BATTERY FAILURE REQUIRING A JUMP START OVER THE LAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT USED FOR A WEEK, BUT ALSO RANDOMLY AFTER A DRIVE. JUST HAPPENED 4 DAYS AGO AFTER A 30 MINUTE HIGHWAY DRIVE- WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AFTER 15 MINUTES, IT WOULDN'T START. WE JUMP STARTED IT, AND IT WAS FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT NOW DEAD AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR OFTEN HAS A SHUDDERING AND OCCASIONAL STALL WHEN STARTING IT. MOST WORRISOME, I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER AND AFTER WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY, AND SLOWED DOWN FOR A TOLL, THE CAR LOST IT'S ACCELERATION, DESPITE RPMS REVVING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTED, AND IT RAN REGULARLY HOME, BUT THIS WAS FRIGHTENING.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2020
WHEN THE LIFTGATE IS CLOSING A "CLICKING" NOISE IS MADE DUE TO STRESS ON THE LIFTGATE MOTOR. THIS IS CAUSED BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STRAIN ON THE MOTOR TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS DESIGNED TO BE UNDER SIGNIFICANT STRESS AND WHEN IT FAILS, WILL CAUSE THE LIFTGATE TO FALL POTENTIALLY INJURING MY CHILDREN UNLOADING THE TRUNK. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AGREED THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BUT DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Aug 11, 2020
UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN TURNED OFF. INTERMITTENT ISSUE, APPEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE PROBLEM. APPEARS THAT DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE BIG $$ TO FIX, SUBARU NEEDS TO STEP UP, THERE IS A TSP ON THIS ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2020
WHEN YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF THEY KEY GETS STUCK IN ACCESSORY MODE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2020
ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING OUR KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING AND PUTTING THE SHIFTER IN PARK. OUR 2015 OUTBACK HAS JUST OVER 58,000 MILES. THE KEY WON'T TURN TO THE FINAL "CLICK" FOR REMOVAL. THAT LEAVES THE CAR IN A MODE WHERE THE BATTERY IS STILL ENGAGED AS THE RADIO IS STILL ON. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT GO INTO A LOCKED POSITION, IT CAN BE TURNED EITHER DIRECTION WITHOUT RESISTANCE. I HAVE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE AND TRY TURNING THE CAR OFF AGAIN. SOMETIMES I ONLY HAVE TO DO THAT ONCE BUT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES WHEN IT TAKES 20-30 ATTEMPTS TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. I'M USUALLY ON A FAIRLY FLAT SURFACE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I WAS DRIVING FORWARD OR REVERSE BEFORE STOPPING. SUBARU RELEASED A SERVICE BULLETIN # 16-112-18R ISSUED 03/15/18 AND REVISED 11/06/18 THAT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION BUT SUBARU SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. THEY ADMIT IT'S A FAULTY PARTS PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX IT IN A RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN I SHOULD REPLACE "SHIFT LEVER COMPLETE". SOME OWNERS WHO HAD THIS DONE SAID IT'S OVER $500 TO REPAIR, DEPENDING ON THE DEALERSHIP.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 6, 2020
BATTERY DIES UNEXPECTEDLY WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THE VEHICLE OFF AND IN ACCESSORY MODE ONLY (I.E. CAR OFF, RADIO OR LIGHTS ON). VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT JUMP FROM BATTERY PACK OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WILL NOT EVEN CRANK BUT WILL ONLY MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. OCCASIONALLY, ENGINE TIMING WILL BE AFFECTED AFTER JUMP AND MISFIRES WILL OCCUR CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN VERY ROUGH UNTIL RESTARTED, AT WHICH POINT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF. TO DATE, DEALER HAS FOUND NO DIRECT CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM (I.E. NO PARASITIC DRAWS) BUT HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY (WHICH ARE UNDER WARRANTY) MULTIPLE TIMES. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN LATE 2015.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 4, 2020
MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ALL OF SUDDEN HAD WARNING LIGHTS SUCH AS: BRAKE, ABS, AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK ANS WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. IT HAS MADE MY STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD TO TURN.