Most common 2016 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of the 75 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Impreza complaints by model year
Best Impreza years: 2023, 2021, 2022. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018, 2017. Compare all years →
2016 Subaru Impreza recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
What 2016 Subaru Impreza owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive into the opposite lane and into the neighbor's yard. After shifting into neutral, the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, on several occasions when turning the vehicle off, the key would remain stuck in the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,800. The Vin was not available.
After turning off the engine in Park, the keys are not being released from the ACC position of the ignition in my 2016 Subaru Impreza, which has 32,000 miles. I must repeatedly depress the shift lever and/or shift gears back and forth and/or restart and turn off the car in order to get the key out. This has been going on for two months now for at least half the time although not every time I turn off the car. There are no warning messages or diagnostic lights, just the malfunction itself. The issue has been documented in TSB 16-112-18 in numerous models of Subaru. My spouse and I have contacted Subaru of America and a local Subaru dealer, who have disclaimed responsibility for the problem, but did admit that this was a known issue. The dealer also insinuated that the fault could be the customers' by spilling beverages or something into the shifter linkage. …
Transmission & drivetrain
In November of 2018 and again January 31, 2022. In November 2018, I was backing up in small parking lot tap the gas pedal. and my car speed up going backwards, even when I was pushing the brake. What stopped the momentum was another car, my car crashed into caused extensive damage to that car( it was totaled) . The second time; I turned the wheels to back-in as I had a several times into my driveway. The car was to far over, but because I was not centered enough in the driveway, I moved forward to realign myself. The car seemed to hesitate as I moved forward, before putting it in reverse. I Put the car in reverse, lightly hit gas the car seem to take off as if it was a rocket backing up into driveway and went through the back wall of my garage ( because there was so much snow it came to a stop). My daughter was observed on the ring camera. …
Hello, I just purchase this vehicle from a dealership, 615 auto sales. After purchasing the vehicle I decided to go and get the recall done that was never done to the vehicle at the repair shop they did the recall but then ask me where did I purchase this vehicle from then I told them. The repair shop told me the grim news that the car was very rusted and should have not been sold like it was. There was nothing on the CARFAX about anything else and the shop told me that the car was a safety hazard. When I purchase the vehicle AS IS all I have seen was a TPM light on and a recall and getting some tires they were also bad but did not have any knowledge of how bad the frame was even there were rust in the engine bay area like it been sitting in water or something but nothing was reported on the CARFAX.
Air bags
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and while attempting to avoid a collision with a second vehicle, the contact lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained facial and dental injuries along with injuries to the left knee, left arm, and chest which required medical treatment. The vehicle was not towed. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 46,000.
While car was slowing in a parking lot area, turning and braking (have witness to attest to this), it had sua (sudden unintended acceleration) as I was about to park and the vehicle went over a curb and through a building wall in less than 10 seconds. The air bags did not deploy. This car also had a recent recall involving the electrical brake system lights/sensors. There was no alcohol, pills or anything of that sort involved and nor was a cell phone in play and no distractions. The car was being parked, as is the case everyday and there was a jolt of acceleration as I was doing so, which in turn caused confusion and panic. My foot was not on the acceleration as this happened. I am very fortunate that no one was hurt. Although, seeing how I have never been involved in a wreck before, this has all been very traumatic. …
2016 Subaru Impreza engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 28 / 36 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | AWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Subaru Impreza a good car?
Based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Impreza rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Impreza at the same age. It is one of the Impreza years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
The electrical system — 14 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (13) and air bags (8).
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Impreza have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Subaru Impreza, the most recent from February 28, 2019 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Impreza?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018 and 2017. See the full Subaru Impreza years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Impreza problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 27,000 miles; 90% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.