Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Subaru Outback problems

Owners filed 642 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Outback with NHTSA between Aug 2015 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (309).

Complaints
642
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system309
  2. Visibility/wiper83
  3. Engine52
  4. Power train45
  5. Steering24
  6. Vehicle speed control22
  7. Structure19
  8. Service brakes18
  9. Fuel/propulsion system12
  10. Air bags10
  11. Visibility8
  12. Forward collision avoidance7
  13. Seat belts5
  14. Exterior lighting5

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 Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20157
201656
201732
201850
201967
2020101
2021171
202266
202331
202424
202521
202616

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

309 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11758212

Visibility/wiper

83 reports1 crash
“1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. At this moment windshield crack has been noticed. The windshield will not be available, replacing it on 12/22/2025 2. Visibility has been affected 3. No, problem was not reproduced. Dealer representative said that the problem is not covered by Subaru. 4. Windshield was visually inspected by the dealership representative. I will try to collect more data at the windshield replacement shop. 5. There were no symptoms of the problem. N.B - the crack outside is flat, as if no rock hit happened. - I have camera's MP4, where sounds can be heard, 1GB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11706372

Engine

52 reports2 crashes2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026EngineODI 11751682

Power train

45 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2026Power trainODI 11744173

Steering

24 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11742958

Vehicle speed control

22 reports5 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11757580
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.