Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Subaru Impreza problems
Owners filed 75 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between Feb 2016 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (14).
Complaints
75
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system14
- Power train13
- Air bags8
- Vehicle speed control8
- Service brakes6
- Steering5
- Structure4
- Exterior lighting4
- Visibility/wiper4
- Suspension3
- Seats3
- Engine3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
4
7
16
12
8
7
8
3
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
14 reports
“The variable fan speed control for the cabin air melted. The dial could no longer be moved and the assembly, once removed, had parts that were melted. Subaru was not interested. Cost me $1200 to get it fixed. Unfortunately, I cannot locate any pictures.”
Power train
13 reports1 crash
“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
8 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
8 reports4 crashes
“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. I have been very sensitive to making sure since first time to be more aware. It is significant to note prior to this occurrence my car did this in smaller spurts ,( but did not think anything of it , I took my car in for all of the checks) but I was able to control it by putting foot on brake, It's like this time the engine…”
Service brakes
6 reports2 crashes
“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. (DRIVING FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS) I HAVE NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE AND SUBARU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE SITUATION SO IT WON'T HAPPEN TO ANYWAY ONE ELSE. THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO, UPON RESEARCH, MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.”
Steering
5 reports1 crash
“I contacted Subaru in Mentor Oh at adventure subaru under TSB 19V065000 and was told to take it in to get looked at, my issue when I purchased the car at 67k miles i found that the car had a loud clunky sound while steering and going over bumps. After seeing the dealer and the stated the issue was from the steer rack and was exactly what was described exactly in the TSB but the only thing was they did not see a visible crack, the repair was denied. I then took the car to another dealer near Beavercreek oh after calling Subaru of America Case # [XXX]. Subaru of America was very certain that the repair was going to get performed. After going to the dealer it was yet again denied again, now it is outside the TSB warranty window. The car has had the entire suspension repaired and the noise is so bad and the steering doesn’t feel right. The car literally is unsafe to drive, i owe money to my loan company for 540 a month, the car just sits in the garage. I am sick of getting put through this nightmare. I want the part replaced or to get out of the loan completely and return the car to Subaru or the bank. Please help i have ran out of ideas. I do lots of driving and…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.