Most common 2016 Subaru Outback problems
Share of the 643 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Outback complaints by model year
Best Outback years: 1996, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →
2016 Subaru Outback recalls (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Subaru Outback:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2016 Subaru Outback owners say
Electrical system all 309 →
This incident occurred on Friday July 29, 2022 @ 5pm. I was pulling into a parking space while my foot was on the brake I proceeded to put the car in park when the car suddenly lunged forward into the concrete patio of the Market/Store. I was in disbelief at what just happened. I would happily make my car available for inspection. I want to find out what is wrong with the car. I believe this could happen again and I am fearful for my life and the lives of others. I was so lucky that the table and chairs were roped off that evening for some reason. People could have been sitting or walking there at the time of this incident. This incident has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer or independent service center. I brought the car to the Subaru dealer for them to do a diagnostic test and any other things needed to give me some answers & repairs. I was told no issues were found. …
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the passenger's side wheel window trim was slightly pivoted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer had not confirmed if parts had been ordered or received. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH in 2020, the vehicle experienced transmission failure and the vehicle came to a jerking stop, as if the parking brake had been activated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the CVT transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that approximately 4 years later, several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer, the failure reoccurred. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 91 →
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon defrosting the windshield and clearing it from the heavy ice that had collected on the windshield during an ice storm, he noticed that there was a 30-inch long crack at the bottom of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair of the windshield was not covered because the VIN was not included in Technical Service Bulletin Number: 12-192-15R; however, the manufacturer provided the contact with a coupon for the repair of the windshield. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she pull the window bottom for the front passenger side window to roll up automatically, she stated the window rolled shut but rolled down again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they stated that it may be a sensor that needed to be replaced that was triggering the anti-entrapment. The contact stated she tried resetting the one-touch feature, but it did not repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000.
Engine & cooling all 55 →
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was occupied and parked at residence and attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds there was exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that front exhaust manifold connected to the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the technician inspected the vehicle and became aware that the exhaust pipe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. …
The contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there were abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he was informed at a State Inspection that the vehicle was included in Subaru Campaign Numbers: WUJ95 and WTH68. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine intake manifold was fractured. The contact stated that he informed the dealer that he would not pay a fee for the maintenance of the vehicle and the dealer informed him that the parts to repair the vehicle under Subaru Campaign Number: WUJ95 were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
2016 Subaru Outback engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 25 / 32 / 28 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | CVT | AWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Subaru Outback a good car?
Based on 643 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Outback rates avoid: 4.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Outback at the same age. It is one of the Outback 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 Outback?
The electrical system — 309 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (91) and engine & cooling (55).
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Outback have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback, the most recent from December 19, 2019 (air bag/restraint control module). 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 Outback?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018 and 2022. See the full Subaru Outback years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Outback problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 35,000 miles; 68% 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.