2016 Subaru Outback Problems: Electrical (642 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2016 Subaru Outback is Electrical (40% of 642 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Electrical — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 642 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2016 Subaru Outback?

259 of 642 filings named Electrical (40% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Glass / wipers / cameras (89 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Steering, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2015 has 509 reports on file; this year has 642. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2016 Subaru Outback

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
Skim a few owner reports below for Electrical. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Electrical 259 complaints · 40.3% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 22
Fires 3
Injuries 13
Deaths 0

All Subaru Outback years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	259	40.3%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)	89	13.9%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	40	6.2%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	38	5.9%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	21	3.3%	3 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	16	2.5%	5 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	13	2.0%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)	11	1.7%	4 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	7	1.1%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	161	25.1%	5 crashes · 3 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 15V794000 was reported 8 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 16V292000 was reported 152 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 19V910000 was reported 1,444 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2015-Q3	Owner reports	1
2015-Q4	Owner reports	6
2016-Q1	Owner reports	14
2016-Q2	Owner reports	20
2016-Q3	Owner reports	13
2016-Q4	Owner reports	9
2017-Q1	Owner reports	8
2017-Q2	Owner reports	9
2017-Q3	Owner reports	11
2017-Q4	Owner reports	4
2018-Q1	Owner reports	11
2018-Q2	Owner reports	16
2018-Q3	Owner reports	11
2018-Q4	Owner reports	12
2019-Q1	Owner reports	12
2019-Q2	Owner reports	11
2019-Q3	Owner reports	24
2019-Q4	Owner reports	20
2020-Q1	Owner reports	13
2020-Q2	Owner reports	26
2020-Q3	Owner reports	31
2020-Q4	Owner reports	31
2021-Q1	Owner reports	48
2021-Q2	Owner reports	65
2021-Q3	Owner reports	39
2021-Q4	Owner reports	19
2022-Q1	Owner reports	20
2022-Q2	Owner reports	18
2022-Q3	Owner reports	18
2022-Q4	Owner reports	10
2023-Q1	Owner reports	9
2023-Q2	Owner reports	5
2023-Q3	Owner reports	12
2023-Q4	Owner reports	5
2024-Q1	Owner reports	5
2024-Q2	Owner reports	7
2024-Q3	Owner reports	11
2024-Q4	Owner reports	2
2025-Q1	Owner reports	3
2025-Q2	Owner reports	7
2025-Q3	Owner reports	6
2025-Q4	Owner reports	5
2026-Q1	Owner reports	4
2026-Q2	Owner reports	7
2026-Q3	Owner reports	4
Aug 2015	Recall campaign	1	15V502000
Nov 2015	Recall campaign	1	15V794000
May 2016	Recall campaign	1	16V292000
Dec 2019	Recall campaign	1	19V910000
Sep 2021	Defect investigation	1	EA21002

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline, Steering, and Airbags.

Recall campaign 15V502000

Transmission / driveline

Report date

Aug 10, 2015

Component:

Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

Consequence:

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 15V794000

Transmission / driveline

Report date

Nov 24, 2015

Component:

Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

Consequence:

If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 16V292000

Steering

Report date

May 11, 2016

Component:

Steering (STEERING)

Consequence:

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 19V910000

Airbags

Report date

Dec 19, 2019

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 6 of 642 complaints · page 1 of 26

2026-08-20Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11758212

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale, but the contact discovered the seller was associated with a car dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,059. After obtaining a Carfax report, the contact became aware that the mileage was 207,000.

2026-08-18Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)

NHTSA ODI 11757580

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The car accelerates on its own at times. I am not pressing the gas or going down a hill. It is flat road, sometimes even pulling into my driveway. There is also feeling like I am being bumped from the back and moving when I am idle. I am strict about oil changes and have it fully inspected when I take it every 3 months as I am a single mom and cannot afford for my children and I to be hurt in an accident or be without a car.

2026-08-10Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)

NHTSA ODI 11755851

CrashFireInjuryDeath

UNKNOWN When pulling into a parking space at the [XXX] diner my 2016 OUTBACK suddenly accelerated while I was ready to shift from drive to park. It was as if I put the gas peddle to the floor. There was a car about 6feet in front of me which I hit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2026-07-20Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11751682

CrashFireInjuryDeath

There is a crack in the exhaust manifold and the exhaust smell is entering the cabin affecting driver and passengers' health. The problem has been confirmed by a Subaru dealer and an independent mechanic. There were no warning lights, I was made aware after routine maintenance by an independent mechanic. The same part has failed in multiple Subaru models: Recall WUJ-95 (SOA says my car is not covered in the recall/campaign due to my car's production date being 24 days after the "Affected Production Dates") . Additionally, Subaru of America extended the exhaust pipe warranty on the same part on other models, as late as 2018, so the part continued to be in use and problematic. Subaru of America says replacing the part is not covered by a recall for my car, however I feel strongly that it SOA should replace the part due to the proximity of my production date and the continued issues with the part across multiple models.

2026-06-15Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11744173

CrashFireInjuryDeath

While driving the 2016 Subaru Outback, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The transmission completely failed, resulting in an immediate and dangerous loss of propulsion while operating the vehicle. This created an immediate safety hazard for myself, my toddler and other drivers on the road, as the vehicle could no longer maintain speed or accelerate safely to clear traffic. A certified repair facility diagnosed the issue as a complete internal mechanical failure of the transmission, requiring a total replacement at an estimated cost of roughly $11,000. This generation of Subaru CVTs has a well-documented history of premature, catastrophic mechanical failure, which Subaru of America has previously acknowledged via past warranty extensions. The sudden loss of power caused by this engineering defect poses a severe and ongoing safety risk to consumers. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2026-06-09Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11742958

CrashFireInjuryDeath

SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle suffers from a "Day 1" latent engineering flaw that causes the physical ignition key to become permanently trapped in the ignition cylinder, triggering an uncommanded, rigid locking of the steering column assembly. Subaru has possessed documented knowledge of this failure for years, cataloging it under Technical Service Bulletin TSB 16-112-18R. Rather than fulfilling its statutory obligation to issue a comprehensive federal safety recall, Subaru deployed a voluntary, time-bound 8-year warranty extension. Subaru conveniently did not notify me of this warranty extension. By doing so, the manufacturer unconscionably ignored this defect, placing its customers at direct peril. They capitalized on asymmetric information to shift both the financial burden and the severe physical safety risks of a known factory flaw onto my family, the moment an arbitrary time threshold expired. My family and I have been at active, continuous risk in this vehicle since the day we purchased it due to an engineering error that was present when the car rolled off the assembly line. The root cause of this failure is a fundamental engineering defect within the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) shifter assembly, specifically, the premature degradation of the electrical contacts within the select lever park-range switch.

Subaru Outback Complaints and Recalls by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2016 Subaru Outback?

Owners named Electrical most often — 259 of 642 reports (40%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Steering, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2016 Subaru Outback?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources