Your vehicle report
2016 Subaru Outback
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 643
- Received Aug 2015 to Aug 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Battery drains and dies when parked211 complaints · 33% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Glass shatters or cracks without impact104 complaints · 16% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Ignition key sticks or will not turn79 complaints · 12% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #16V292000Do not driveSubaru 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.
- Recall #19V910000Subaru 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Battery drains and dies when parkedFirst signal: May 2018
- Exhaust manifold cracks and leaks fumesFirst signal: Feb 2022
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 22 crashes, 3 fires, 13 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
- Battery drains and dies when parked
- Ignition key sticks or will not turn
- Engine won't start or cranks intermittently
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 101 |
| 2021 | 171 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 16 |
| Total | 643 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery drains and dies when parked | 211 | 33% | 17.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: May 2018 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.4% |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 104 | 16% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 79 | 12% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 20 | 3.1% | 3.7× | |
| Gear shifter fails to register Park | 15 | 2.3% | – | |
| Engine won't start or cranks intermittently | 14 | 2.2% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 12 | 1.9% | – | |
| Exhaust manifold cracks and leaks fumes | 10 | 1.6% | 66× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Feb 2022 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.6% |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 7 | 1.1% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 6 | 0.9% | – | NHTSA recall #19V910000 |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 6 | 0.9% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 5 | 0.8% | – | |
| Exhaust smell enters cabin during acceleration | 5 | 0.8% | – | |
| Side mirrors give poor rear visibility | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Tailgate or trunk latch fails | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Power window regulator fails and window drops | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 4 | 0.6% | – | |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 4 | 0.6% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #16V292000May 11, 201648,819 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #19V910000December 19, 201946 vehicles affected
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #15V794000November 24, 20153,251 vehicles affected
power train: driveline: differential unit; power train: driveline: driveshaft
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #15V502000August 10, 20152,893 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission; 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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2016 Subaru Outback.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN