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, Jun 20, 2024
I have a vehicle built in 11/15. I had an issue with cracked pipes associated with the catalytic converter that appear to match an existing nhsta recall for vehicles built between 12/09/2013 – 9/30/2015. It appears that the previous recall was not expansive enough.
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.
Lane departure, Back over prevention, Jun 9, 2024
The blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning system stopped working. It was safer to drive on the highway when it was working. I had it looked at and I was told that the sensors are known to fail. It is an expensive replacement and not under warranty or recall.
Electrical system, May 6, 2024
The battery is dying very quickly The DCM Data Communication Module is draining the battery causing the vehicle to become stranded This is the fifth battery in this vehicle Subaru is aware of this issue but refuses to find a solution to fix it
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2024
The child lock of right side is stuck its on on position we can't open the door from inside nd now the button is broken.
Structure, Engine, Apr 9, 2024
Car exhaust inside the vehicle when driving at low speeds, idling, or parked into the cab of the vehicle. Only way to stop the exhaust fumes is to use the recirculate interior air. Rear hatch hydraulics are failing, hatch will not open completely and partially shuts when opened. When driving very loud squeaking from vehicle.
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2024
Front Passenger Side window will not roll down. The electrical button on the driver's side is not functioning to allow it to roll down. This was a similar problem with the back passenger side window which was taken care within the first year of purchase.
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.
Power train, Feb 19, 2024
Transmission went out at 72,000 miles. Was told it was not covered by warranty even though I purchased extended warranty. Will never buy another Subaru again. Spoke to a person at customer service who said she would take care of it. Made 19 calls over 3 months and no one returned a call. Terrible customer service at the main office.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2024
Since owning this new Subaru vehicle, I have replaced the battery once. Today I had the car towed to the dealer with them diagnosing the car telling me it needs a certain module that has been draining the battery. Due to this problem, I have had to take an Uber to work. When the vehicle would not start, I had AAA come out and was told that the battery had 13% power on the one call out and 20% on the second call. In speaking with the tow truck driver for AAA he told me that this battery problem has been going on for a while with the 2015 to 2020 Subaru's. Now the dealer wants to charge me nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars to replace the module. If there was a problem with the module, why was I not told sooner about it? It seems to me that the factory battery is not strong enough to hold a charge and they are blaming it on the module. There were no warnings or messages telling me there was a problem with the battery.
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2023
Dead battery issues and DCM battery issue
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2023
My Subaru Key is Stuck in Ignition. Two to three times a week the key can not be removed from the key switch . The vehicle will shut off, but the key remains.
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2023
Right rear door will not open from inside, child door lock will not shift although child lock not engaged. InCase of crash or fire cannot exit vehicle. confirmed by repair shop. No insurance inspection. No warning lights associated with this visible
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2023
We have had multiple incidents on this MY16 Subaru Outback draining the battery over the past several years. Sometimes the battery is dead after a couple or few days of driving. There seems to be a battery / electrical management (current draw when vehicle if off) issue as noted in multiple incidents and there was even a class action lawsuit. The SW update associated didn't resolve the issue. One can find many others with similar problems with Subaru Outbacks. (note: our MY17 Crosstrek also is experiencing the same issues). We have changed multiple batteries, needed multiple battery charges, required to buy a battery charger, buy a multimeter, and still have continued issues. Subaru corporate and the local dealership have done little/nothing to resolve the continued issue which causes disruptions in personal schedules, and just hope we don't have a dead battery/vehicle in a dangerous situation.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2023
Ignition key cannot be removed quite frequently. It requires restarting engine, jiggling shift lever to finally release. I see a Subaru TSB 16-112-18R has been released for this issue.
Engine, Sep 29, 2023
- Leaking exhaust at bellow - I had to replace the catalytic converter. - I have a bad sense of smell. I did not notice it was an issue until a passenger of mine noted a smell of exhaust while we were driving. - I read a bulletin on your websites that there was a recall of other 2016 Subaru Outbacks for this same issue. I understand that my car was not a part of this recall because of the manufacturing date, but I found it to be an odd coincidence that my car has the same issue. When I visited another mechanic initially, he immediately alerted me that he has seen many Subaru vehicles with this same issue and directed me to a Subaru dealership. - My car was finally diagnosed and repaired at Marin Subaru of CA.
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2023
Key remains stuck in ignition upon putting vehicle in park and shutting vehicle off. Failure comes from faulty switch in the selector lever assembly. Unable to remove key from vehicle for several minutes at a time. Failure acknowledged in TSB 16-112-18R
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 12, 2023, crash
As I was pulling slowly into a parking spot in a busy lot that serves a lot of small businesses, my Subaru suddenly accelerated forward, over the concrete parking bumper and raised sidewalk area, and into the side of the building. While I was uninjured and had no passengers in the vehicle, the car sustained damage to the apron and tire area on front passenger side of the car. The airbag did not inflate. Tiling on the exterior of the building was impacted, but not greatly damaged, and I had been able to avoid the plate glass entry to the business. A few customers were greatly alarmed by the Subaru's proximity to their lunch tables by the windows. I was able to put the vehicle into reverse and carefully move it off the sidewalk. I exited the car and went in to share my insurance information with the empathetic employees and manager of the business. I was able to drive my vehicle about two blocks to a larger lot, so that the towing company my husband contacted could access it, but not for several hours. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it remains until they are finished with it. The claims people seem to have reached the conclusion that since I was driving, I must be at fault in this accident. I immediately, and still, continue to think over that incident, trying to determine how parking carefully and without distraction could turn into such a collision. I believe that I am not to blame. In reading the reports that have been made to your agency on Subarus of this vintage, there are marked similarities to the narratives on sudden unintended acceleration caused by Subaru equipment faults. I have lost confidence in what has been my favorite car. I'm hoping that some clear path exists for me to drive it again without anxiety.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2023, fire
I bought this vehicle used. I was the 2nd owner. I purchased it on the evening of August 18, 2023. On the morning of August 19, 2023, I drove the vehicle for about 45 miles. I reached my destination, got out of the car, and saw what looked like either smoke or dust from under my car. I worried it might be overheating. A bystander told me the car was on fire. I walked forward to see flames coming from the front passenger side below the grill, possibly in the axle. The fire grew aggressively despite attempts to extinguish it. When the fire department arrived within 5 minutes the car was fully engulfed. The damage is so severe that it may be impossible to determine the source and cause of the fire. The dealer and my mechanic performed inspections on the vehicle before I bought it and found everything to be in good working condition.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2023
My key keeps getting stuck in the ignition, and forced me to have to leave the key in the car while I went in to a store, when i got back someone was in my car. I realize that this is a different type of safety issue, but it truly is a safety issue. I am having to leave my key in my car everywhere i do because it doesn't come out,, eventually it will come out randomly but not everytime I shut the car off. this should be a recall issue for Subaru's that have this problem. I have read many complaints about Subaru owners with this issue happpening to them. I am not the only one. Thank You!
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to release from the ignition switch. There were no warning lights illuminated. After approximately twenty minutes, the contact was able to remove the key. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2023
Passenger window will not go up like it should. Gets to the top of the window and rolls back down. Will not go up unless we do short tiny bursts on the up button slowly to make it stay shut.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2023
Car has has 4 new batteries since I bought it new. Had to have this car jumped at least 12 times and some times at night late in downtown Portland where I have not been in a safe location. Once in the snow after hiking to come back at dusk with only one person around at trailhead. Got lucky the jumpstart worked. Apparently today after having it towed to a shop before we take a 9 hour road trip, the mechanic found that it is the voltage regulator in the alternator. Apparently a known issue with Subaru. Ridiculous that I have spent probably over $1000 or more on this issue, and been stranded multiple times and inconvenienced family and friends on this issue countless times.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2023
Key intermittently stuck in ignition. Unable to lock car doors with key stuck in the ignition. Problem started early on occasionally and now happens nearly every other time and requires a few tries up to 10 minutes of trying to get it out. This is a known issue among my model - Service Bulletin 16-112-18R