YearToAvoid

2016 Subaru Outback Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback, about 3% of its 643 total complaints for the year. There are no related recalls tied to this component. Median mileage at failure was 22,000 miles, with 2 crashes and 1 injury reported.

Structure & Body complaints
21
3% of 643
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
22,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Windshields crack or shatter spontaneously with no apparent impact, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle.
  • Sunroofs and moonroofs have exploded while driving at highway speeds, letting in wind and rain.
  • Doors have cracked open while the vehicle was in motion or required excessive force to open, in one case linked to ice buildup.
  • Door panels pull in excessively when the handle is used, in one case traced to missing interior screws.
  • Front passenger seats have shifted or moved unexpectedly at the floor level during deceleration or bumps.
  • The rear tailgate has opened on its own with the ignition off and no key fob nearby.

When 2016 Subaru Outback body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 20, 2016, latest Apr 9, 2024.

2016 Subaru Outback structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2016Feb 2017Oct 2017Jul 2018Feb 2020Apr 2021Aug 2022
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Apr 2024; peak Mar 2017 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Outback model year

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

  1. 201018 (5%)
  2. 201115 (2%)
  3. 20129 (3%)
  4. 201322 (7%)
  5. 201413 (6%)
  6. 201537 (7%)
  7. 201621 (3%)
  8. 201729 (3%)
  9. 201824 (3%)
  10. 201934 (3%)
  11. 202027 (3%)
  12. 20218 (3%)
  13. 20229 (2%)
  14. 20236 (7%)
  15. 20246 (6%)
  16. 20253 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 21 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Outback, about 3% of the model year's 643 total complaints.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Subaru Outback's structure or body?
No. The JSON data lists no related recalls for this component on the 2016 Outback.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 22,000 miles.
Did any of these structure and body issues cause crashes or injuries?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 injury among the complaints in this category for the 2016 Outback.
What kinds of structure and body problems do owners report on the 2016 Outback?
Owners describe spontaneously cracking windshields, exploding sunroofs, doors that crack open while driving, loose seats, and a self-opening tailgate.

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.