YearToAvoid

2016 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Subaru Impreza has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 75 complaints, 1 recall, and 7 crashes, with electrical system issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Impreza years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
75
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2016 Subaru Impreza problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other19 (25%)
  2. Electrical System18 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain13 (17%)
  4. Engine11 (15%)
  5. Airbags8 (11%)
  6. Brakes7 (9%)
  7. Structure & Body7 (9%)
  8. Steering5 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers5 (7%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while backing out of parking spots or slowing in lots, leading to crashes into objects or other vehicles.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several crash events, including one where the vehicle crashed through a wall.
  • Owners report brake lockup on inclines with loss of stopping control, in one case during snowy conditions.
  • Seat belts have been described as locking and refusing to release until fully retracted, forcing drivers to pull over.
  • Some owners report the engine stalling during rapid acceleration from a stop, described as sporadic.
  • Passenger airbag indicator lights reportedly behaved intermittently when a seat cushion was used.
2016 Subaru Impreza complaints: complaints filed per quarter92016 Q12017 Q12018 Q22019 Q32021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32025 Q1
75 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2020 Q3 (9).

2016 Subaru Impreza recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

    Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

2016 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
34 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,225
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Impreza years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution60108324
2015Good4577229
2016Caution5075129
2017Avoid80125728.5
2018Avoid75151528.5

All Subaru Impreza years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Subaru Impreza reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Impreza a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the Impreza. It is not among the worst years but also not among the best.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
Electrical System complaints account for 24% of reports (18 of 75 complaints), the largest single category, with a median failure mileage of 38,000.
Does the 2016 Impreza have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Impreza, covering an electrical system issue where the brake light switch is being replaced free of charge.
How does the 2016 Impreza compare to other Impreza years?
The 2016 model's complaint index of 50 is lower than 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019, which are all rated Avoid with higher indexes, but higher than the 2015 and 2021 model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
The 2016 Impreza gets 29 mpg combined (26 city / 34 highway) per EPA figures, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,225.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.