2016 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 WRX years
The 2016 Subaru WRX has 31 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst among 16 model years. Its verdict is Caution, with the Electrical System as the top problem area (35% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
Top 2016 Subaru WRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (35%)
- Engine9 (29%)
- Other6 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (13%)
- Brakes3 (10%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the check engine light illuminating along with cruise control failure, with the electrical system serviced multiple times without fixing the issue.
- Some describe the engine stalling while driving at low speed and being difficult to restart.
- Owners report difficulty shifting from neutral into first gear, sometimes requiring a full restart of the car, with the transmission failure reported at 10,100 miles.
- Passenger headlight failure with condensation buildup inside the housing was reported at 46,900 miles, eventually requiring a full harness replacement.
- A sunroof reportedly shattered while driving around 60 mph at 10,200 miles.
- Owners describe a clunking noise from the steering wheel during low-speed turns and over small bumps, which persisted even after strut replacement.
2016 Subaru WRX recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Electrical System59,934 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
- NHTSA 16V162000Mar 21, 2016Engine18,187 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
- NHTSA 15V366000Jun 12, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras71,710 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
2016 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA lists 31 complaints for the 2016 WRX with a complaint index of 67, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other WRX model years. It ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru WRX?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 35% of complaints (11 of 31), followed by Engine issues at 29% (9 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain problems at 13% (4 complaints).
- Does the 2016 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls affecting the 2016 WRX, including one for a corroding backup light switch and one for the turbocharger air intake duct. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2016 WRX's complaint index of 67 is lower than 2015 (80), 2017 (100), and 2018 (93), all of which carry an Avoid verdict, but higher than years like 2014 (20, Best) and 2013 (27, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru WRX?
- The 2016 WRX gets an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.