2016 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Outback years
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 643 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 6th worst of 16 model years with a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 48% of complaints, alongside 4 recalls, one of which is a do-not-drive steering recall.
- Complaints
- 643
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 22 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2016 Subaru Outback problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System311 (48%)
- Other125 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers91 (14%)
- Engine74 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain45 (7%)
- Steering24 (4%)
- Brakes22 (3%)
- Structure & Body21 (3%)
- Fuel System13 (2%)
- Airbags10 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or lunging forward while shifting between park, reverse, and drive.
- Some report brakes failing to slow the vehicle when pressed, leading to collisions with poles, embankments, or buildings.
- Side curtain and front airbags reportedly deployed violently in low-speed crashes, with some airbags failing to deflate or one side not deploying at all.
- Steering was reported to become unresponsive or unsteady at highway speed, causing the rear of the car to swing out.
- Batteries reportedly died if the car was not driven weekly, and some owners had the steering column replaced multiple times.
- The advertised collision mitigation system reportedly failed to beep or brake in a test and during an actual accident.
2016 Subaru Outback recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V910000Dec 19, 2019Airbags46 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V292000May 11, 2016Steering48,819 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Steering:column
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.
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 15V794000Nov 24, 2015Transmission & Powertrain3,251 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,625
- 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 Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2016 Outback ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict. Electrical System complaints make up 48% of all reported issues.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Subaru Outback?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 311 of 643 complaints (48%), with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Outback, covering airbags, steering, and transmission/powertrain, and one of these (steering, campaign 16V292000) is a do-not-drive recall.
- Should I avoid the 2016 Subaru Outback?
- The 2016 Outback carries a Caution verdict, not Avoid. Later years like 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have higher Complaint Index values (87, 80, 100, and 93) and carry Avoid verdicts, while 2016 sits in the middle of the range.