2016 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Subaru Outback ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 643 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 48% of complaints, and the model carries 4 recalls, including one do-not-drive steering recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 643
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2016 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly lunged forward or backward unexpectedly while shifting gears, even with the parking brake engaged.
- Brakes were depressed but the vehicle allegedly continued to accelerate, leading to crashes with embankments, poles, or buildings at low speeds.
- Airbags reportedly deployed violently in minor collisions while side curtain airbags failed to deflate, trapping occupants.
- Steering was reported to become unresponsive at highway speed, causing the vehicle to drift and lose control.
- Owners reported dead batteries when the car sat unused for about a week, along with repeated steering column and rack replacements.
- The collision mitigation system reportedly failed to warn or brake before a crash despite being designed to detect obstacles.
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 ranks the 2016 Outback 6th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 643 owner complaints, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Outback years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Subaru Outback?
- Electrical System complaints make up 48% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Outback, including a do-not-drive steering column recall, a transmission propeller shaft recall, and an airbag control module recall.
- How does the 2016 Outback compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 75, the 2016 Outback is worse than most earlier Outback years like 2012 through 2014, but better than 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, which score higher on the index.