YearToAvoid

2016 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 22 brake complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback, 3% of its 643 total complaints for the year. Owners reported 7 crashes and 3 injuries tied to braking, with a median failure mileage of 15,050. No related brake recalls are listed.

Brakes complaints
22
3% of 643
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
15,050 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the Eyesight forward-collision system braking on its own for no clear reason, sometimes while moving through an intersection.
  • Some drivers describe the brake pedal going spongy and sinking toward the floor under continuous pressure, especially in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly while the brake pedal was depressed, leading to collisions with objects or buildings.
  • Owners report brakes locking up unexpectedly during normal driving maneuvers like passing or lane changes.
  • One complaint describes a temporary loss of braking ability that resolved after restarting the vehicle and having the brake lines flushed.

When 2016 Subaru Outback brake complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 18, 2015, latest Aug 18, 2026.

2016 Subaru Outback brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2015Sep 2016Mar 2017Oct 2018Apr 2019May 2021May 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2015 to Aug 2026; peak Feb 2017 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201040 (11%)
  2. 201184 (13%)
  3. 201241 (14%)
  4. 201333 (11%)
  5. 201424 (12%)
  6. 201531 (6%)
  7. 201622 (3%)
  8. 201728 (3%)
  9. 201821 (3%)
  10. 201925 (2%)
  11. 202017 (2%)
  12. 20218 (3%)
  13. 202211 (2%)
  14. 20237 (8%)
  15. 20244 (4%)
  16. 20256 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2016 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 22 brake complaints for the 2016 Outback, which is 3% of the 643 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2016 Subaru Outback brakes?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recalls for brakes on the 2016 Outback.
At what mileage do 2016 Outback brake problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for brake complaints on this model year is 15,050 miles.
Did the 2016 Outback brake issues cause crashes?
Owners reported 7 crashes and 3 injuries connected to the brake complaints filed for the 2016 Outback.
Is the 2016 Outback worse than other years for brake complaints?
No, its 3% share of total complaints is lower than most other Outback model years, such as 2011 at 13% and 2012 at 14%.

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.