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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT ALWAYS FULLY CLOSE. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M CLOSING IT, THE WINDOW GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND THEN GOES DOWN ABOUT HALFWAY AND STAYS THERE. THE ONLY WAY I AM ABLE TO GET IT MOSTLY CLOSED IS WHEN I AM AT A STOP, I HAVE ONE HAND ON THE WINDOW LOCK BUTTON AND THE OTHER ON THE WINDOW CLOSE BUTTON. I HOLD DOWN THE CLOSE BUTTON UNTIL THE WINDOW IS ALMOST ALL OF THE WAY UP AND THEN HIT THE WINDOW LOCK BUTTON SO THAT THE WINDOW REMAINS SHUT MOST OF THE WAY. BY THE TIME I RESTART THE CAR, I UNLOCK THE WINDOW LOCK BUTTON AND AM ABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW NORMALLY. THE WINDOW NOT CLOSING OCCURS AT A STOP OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2019
ABOUT ONCE A WEEK FOR AT LEAST THE PAST YEAR, THE STARLINK SCREEN FREEZES IN EITHER A BLANK SCREEN OR THE SCREEN GIVING CHOICES BETWEEN CD, FM, ETC. MUSIC WILL PLAY BUT NONE OF THE BUTTONS WILL WORK. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IF I HOLD DOWN THE ON/OFF BUTTON FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS OR SO, IT WILL BEEP AND GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST TURNED ON AND IS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. MUST "SLAM" THE SHIFTER INTO PARK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2019
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION UPON PARKING THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (IN PARKING POSITION).
Power train, Sep 25, 2019
I REGULARLY CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE IN PARK. THE IGNITION DOES NOT SEEM TO RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, SO I HAVE TO RESTART CAR, SHIFT DO DRIVE, RESHIFT TO PARK AND TRY TO REMOVE KEY MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY AND IS WORST WHEN PARKED ON A HILL.
Steering, Sep 24, 2019
DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2019
ABOUT A WEEK A GO I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN NOT ATTRIBUTE IT TO A ROCK OUR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS. CLOSE INSPECTION SHOWS A VERY SMALL CHIP DIRECTLY UNDER THE WIPER BLADE, WHICH WOULD PROTECT THE WINDSHIELD FROM A ROCK ETC. THE CRACK EXTENDS VERTICALLY DOWN UNDER THE PLASTIC TRIM AND UP ALMOST TO THE WIPER BLADE SWEEP LIMIT. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD IN MY VEHICLE. IN 2017 I THOUGHT I GET HIT BY A ROCK. A LARGE CHIP APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND A CRACK IMMEDIATELY APPEARED. I PAID FOR A REPAIR BY THE DEALER. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR INSURANCE. I AM NOW WONDERING IF THE FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A ROCK OR NOT. REGARDLESS, I CANT BELIEVE I WILL BE ON THIRD WINDSHIELD IN A VEHICLE I HAVE NOT YET HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS.
Structure, Sep 4, 2019
WHILE STATIONARY, MY DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCK SWITCH ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE DOOR WAS ENGAGED. TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK; HOWEVER, THE SWITCH WAS SEIZED IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE ONLY SUBARU DEALER IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAID IT WAS A CORROSION ISSUE CAUSED BY LACK OF USE; THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WE HAVE NEVER USED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK.
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2019
KEY INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN PARKED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS?
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2019
MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, WHILE IN PARK. STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT LOCK. TOOK TO THE DEALER. I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH SOME OF THE FORRESTERS AND I LOOKED ONLINE APPARENTLY OTHER 2016 & 2017 MODEL SUBARUS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I SEE A SERVICE BULLETIN 16 112 18R, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2019
CAR IS IN PARK AND ENGINE IS OFF AND CAN NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. I THEN HAVE TO START CAR AND MOVE VEHICLE AND HOPES THAT WHEN I STOP CAR AGAIN I CAN GET THE KEY OUT. THIS IS A SAFEY ISSUE AS I CAN NOT LEAVE CAR WITH KEY IN IGNITION IN PUBLIC PLACE. IF I DO AT THE HOUSE, THEN THE CAR THEN DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAR DIES.CAR IS ONLY 3 YEAR OLD!!! I'M NOT TO HAPPY WITH THIS. NEEDS TO BE FIX, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!! BUT I DON'T SEE ONE YET! I READ OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Power train, Aug 13, 2019
SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 4DR 2.5I - VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER IN CHANDLER AZ AND DEALER CHANGED RIGHT-REAR WHEEL HUB BEARING. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 67 K MILES.
Power train, Aug 10, 2019
WOBBLING AND SHAKING OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION (WHEN ACCELERATING). HAPPENS ON STREET AND ON HIGHWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2019
ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEARD A LOUD POP! LIKE A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD. NEVER SAW A PIT OR ANY EVIDENCE. PULLED OUT OF THE GARAGE THERE WAS A CRACK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF PASSENGER SIDE UP THE WINDOW. NOW THE CRACK HAS SPREAD OUT LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2019
I'VE ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED OF THE SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACKING ISSUE THAT IS IN LITIGATION. THIS HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS STOPPED, WAITING AT A LIGHT NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON AND THE ENTRANCE TO I-70 IN DENVER. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD LOUDLY POPPED AND A LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS SINCE PROGRESSED IN MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. I'VE NOT YET HAD IT REPLACED AS I'D LEARNED OF THIS LAWSUIT, BUT NO DEFINITIVE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, I'M REPORTING IT HERE. I DO NOT HAVE A PICTURE, BUT WILL UPDATE THIS POST LATER, IF POSSIBLE.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION MAKING IT UNSAFE TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PUBLIC AREA. (THE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION). REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE REPAIR NOTES INDICATED THERE IS A RELATED TSB, SO THE DEFECT IS KNOWN, BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
DEAD BATTERY AT 38,000 MILES. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY EXISTING PROBLEM. LEFT STRANDED AND OUT $150 FOR NEW BATTERY. SAW MANY FORUMS RELATED TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. SUBARU OWES IT TO THE CAR OWNERS TO ADMIT AND FIX AND NO CHARGE THIS PROBLEM. DROVE AT LUNCH TIME AND WHEN I WAS RETURNING BACK TO WORK IT WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT. NOTHING LEFT ON. WHEN TURNING IGNITION ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AS WELL AS RADIO AND WINDOWS WORKED UP AND DOWN BUT NO START. HAD CO-WORKER COME AND JUMP START AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2019
SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN PUT IN PARK. FREEZES UP. WON'T ALLOW POWER LIFT GATE TO OPEN EITHER. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO TSB 16 112 18R, WHICH IN PRACTICE SEEMS DANGEROUS, AS HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION EVEN FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WITH KIDS IS RISKY. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL.
Power train, Jul 31, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PUT INTO PARK AND CAN'T TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION AFTER TURNING CAR OFF.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2019
WHEN I STOP MY 2016 OUTBACK AFTER DRIVING IT MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ACTING LIKE I AM NOT PUTTING THE CAR ALL THE WAY IN PARK. I AM FORCED TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES AND THE CAR WILL BE VERY EASY TO STEAL. AFTER READING THE SUBARU FORUMS IT APPEARS TO BE THE SHIFTER LINKAGE FAILING AND NOT GOING INTO PARK ALL THE WAY. SOME DEALERS STARTED TO REPLACE THE KEY SWITCH AT FIRST THEN THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE SHIFTER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY ITSELF. IT SEEMS TO NEED REPLACING AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS I JUST TALKED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALLED IT YET.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2019
UNABLE TO REMOVE IGNITION KEY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK, KEY IS TURNED OFF, KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY AND STOPS AT THE ACCESSORY POINT. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST MONTH, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH FROM PARK INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO PARK UNTIL THE KEY RELEASES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2019
DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TURN KEY BACK TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. CAR (SUBARU OUTBACK 2016) WAS PLACED IN PARK PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. DRIVER MUST FORCEFULLY MOVE STICK TO PARKED POSITION, FIRMLY PUSH KEY IN, AND TURN SWIFTLY TO REMOVE KEY. DRIVER MAY HAVE TO ATTEMPT THIS MANEUVER FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY REMOVING KEY. FAULTY COMPONENT IS UNKNOWN BUT IS OFTEN THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R. AT TIME OF WRITING THIS COMPLAINT, THE DRIVER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AT LEAST 10 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2019
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE HAS DROPPED TO A LEVEL THAT REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NO AFTERMARKET DEVICES.
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2019
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY FOR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMANDS THAT THE "BELLS AND WHISTLES" PUT ON THE RESERVE POWER IN THE BATTERY. AS SUCH, THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. EITHER STANDARDS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR RESERVE BATTERY CAPACITY, BASED ON ELECTRICAL DEMAND, OR BETTER INDICATION PROVIDED ON AVAILABLE CHARGE. I.E., MUCH LIKE THAT PROVIDED BY OTHER DEVICES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF REMAINING BATTERY CHARGE. THIS VULNERABILITY WAS SHARED WITH SUBARU SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, NEW, AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH SUBARU AND THEIR DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I SHOULD HAVE UPGRADED THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ON MY OWN FROM THE START, BUT ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE DEFICIENCY OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT UNTIL RECENTLY. THE FACT THAT SUBARU WOULD ALLOW ANY OPERATOR TO DRIVE ONE OF THEIR CARS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS REPREHENSIBLE, LET ALONE SOMEONE THAT THEY SAY IS A "VALUED AND APPRECIATED CUSTOMER."
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2019
I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION OR OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHEN IN PARK. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK. THE FRONT CONSOLE SHOWS THE CAR IN PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK. HOWEVER THE KEY IS STUCK. I HAVE TO MOVE THE SELECTOR IN AND OUT OF PARK USING RANDOM PATTERNS BEFORE THE SENSOR/SWITCH RECOGNIZES THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. STARTED AT 40K MILES. MY SON FELT THAT HE HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO CLEAR THE ISSUE AND DRAINED THE BATTERY, LEAVING HIM STRANDED.