Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls, 638 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
4
Recalls
638
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated July 6, 2026
19V910000
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 i...
16V292000
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....
15V502000
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...
15V794000
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...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2016 Subaru Outback SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES | On 05/08/2026 the brakes failed while in a queue at a drive-up restaurant. The car was steered away ... |
| May 21, 2026 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent... |
| May 8, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The reporting citizen was driving legally on [XXX] going forward towards the parking lot next to the... |
| May 8, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | While driving the 2016 Subaru Outback, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the... |
| Mar 14, 2026 | ENGINE | leak in cam carrier gasket caused large ammounts of smoke to fill engine bay and enter cabin air sys... |
| Feb 17, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My 2016 Subaru Outback CVT transmission has exhibited an intermittent jerking and grabbing sensation... |
| Feb 11, 2026 | ENGINE | My 2016 Outback 2.5L model experienced an exhaust noise and/or odor coming from cracks at the bellow... |
| Feb 2, 2026 | STEERING | Brake light comes on while driving and power steering also locks up.. |
| Feb 1, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Vehicle: 2016 Subaru Outback Recall Number: WUJ95 – Front Exhaust Pipe Bellows Crack I incurred rep... |
| Jan 3, 2026 | AIR BAGS | Almost after I took ownership of my vehicle in August 2024 from Lexus of Pembroke Pines, I noticed a... |
| Dec 12, 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock... |
| Oct 24, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Steering wheel controls frequently fail to work properly on the cruise control system specially the ... |
| Sep 23, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Catalytic converter is cracked. This is confirmed by an independent service center. Apparently there... |
| Sep 12, 2025 | ENGINE | Accelerated on its own doing 25mph and accelerated quickly and took pumping brakes to get it to stop |
| Sep 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The DCM (Data Communication Module), also referred to as the Starlink telematics module, has failed.... |
| Aug 25, 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed spee... |
| Aug 14, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I reached under the steering well to the foot well because it seemed that my AC was not putting out ... |
| Aug 11, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I purchased a replacement battery in 2023. In August of 2025, the battery died, requiring a jump sta... |
| Jul 2, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Parasitic battery drain due to a faulty DCM module. I've purchase 3 batteries in the past 16 months.... |
| Jun 10, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | EYE SIGHT GOES OUT SHORTLY AFTER RECONFIGURATION (HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES), BRAND NEW BATTERY HA... |