UsedScore

2016 Subaru Outback: Solid

Owners filed 282 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 161 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the electrical system (28% of complaints, median 33,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.9×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Outback year
Rank
7th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
282
first five years; 161 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
4
campaigns
5th generation, 2015–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2016 Subaru Outback Limited

Photo: 2016 Subaru Outback Limited · Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Electrical28% · 78 complaints · median 33,000 miles
  2. Visibility22% · 62 complaints · median 29,000 miles
  3. Powertrain10% · 28 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  4. Brakes6% · 16 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  5. Steering6% · 17 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  6. Body and structure5% · 14 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  7. Air bags2% · 7 complaints
  8. Speed control5% · 14 complaints · median 2,000 miles
  9. Engine5% · 13 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  10. Fuel and propulsion2% · 6 complaints · median 7,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Electrical

Owners commonly report their Outback's battery dying unexpectedly, sometimes stranding them, with dealers replacing batteries repeatedly but rarely finding a clear cause. Many also describe the ignition key getting stuck after parking, sometimes fixed by replacing the shift lever assembly.

Warning signs:
Owners note slow or rough starts, clicking noises when trying to start, dash lights briefly going dark, and difficulty turning or removing the key from the ignition.
What shops did:
Dealers most often tested and replaced the battery, sometimes multiple times, often without finding a cause; for the key issue some replaced the shift lever assembly, and some received a software update.
Mileage:
most between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, among 146 complaints that give it

“Vehicle starting becomes slower for about 1 week and then it will not start at all.”

“The key cannot be removed from the vehicle approx 50% of the time. Key stays in the "on" position without the engine running.”

Powertrain

Owners of this Outback commonly report the CVT transmission jerking, grinding, or suddenly losing power, sometimes while driving at highway speed, along with a separate ignition key that won't release from Park. Dealers frequently replaced transmissions or shift-lever assemblies, though some owners say problems returned or warranty coverage was denied.

Warning signs:
Many note shuddering, jerking, revving RPMs without acceleration, loud grinding or clunking noises, and warning lights before the transmission or key-release problem occurred.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the CVT transmission (sometimes more than once), replaced the shift/select lever assembly or park-position sensor, and some owners were told repairs would be covered under an extended warranty while others were denied coverage.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 55,000 miles, among 32 complaints that give it

“The CVT transmission failed at 79k miles at highway speeds causing the car to violently stall”

“I regularly cannot remove key from ignition while in park. The ignition does not seem to recognize the vehicle is in park”

Visibility

Many owners of this Outback report windshields cracking on their own, usually starting at the bottom edge, sometimes repeatedly over the life of the car. Repairs are common but owners often say dealers would not cover the cost, and a few mention a related service bulletin or lawsuit.

Warning signs:
Many describe hearing a pop, click or snap sound just before or as a crack appeared, sometimes while parked, defrosting, or driving on smooth roads.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently replaced the windshield, though many owners report replacement was not covered under warranty and some report dealers denying any manufacturing issue.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 50,000 miles, among 68 complaints that give it

“Windshield cracked without any object impact. Crack started at the bottom passenger side.”

“The windshield cracked in august of 2020 without any impact or outside cause across the middle of the windshield almost the entire length of the glass.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (4)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V910000December 201946 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V292000May 201648,819 vehicles

    Steering: column

    NHTSA advisory: do not drive until repaired

    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.

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

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V794000November 20153,251 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V502000August 20152,893 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Subaru sent NHTSA 472 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2016 Outback. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 15-308-23R · August 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
  • 16-156-25R · August 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body.
  • 15-304-22R · August 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
  • Article Locator · August 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
  • 15-333-25R · August 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
  • 02-195-26 · June 2026This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
  • SubaruNet Announcement (R · May 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
  • 03-97-26 · April 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

All 2016 Outback bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Subaru Outback reliable?
Owners filed 282 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 161 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Outback years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2016 Outback problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the electrical system (28%), visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (22%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (10%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2016 Subaru Outback been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback, the most recent in December 2019 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. The 2016 Subaru Outback on NHTSA.gov · How we rate