Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Outback, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system309
- Unknown or other124
- Visibility/wiper83
- Engine53
- Power train45
- Steering24
- Vehicle speed control22
- Service brakes19
- Structure19
- Fuel/propulsion system13
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 51 2016 Outback vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 22 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2016 Subaru Outback failed the safety check 1.59% of the time — 19% less often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 84,805 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2016
1,293 new Subaru Outback cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (787), Czechia (321), Slovakia (125).
- Average mass
- 1,717 kg
- Average power
- 122 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 55% · Petrol 45%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the United Kingdom
735 cars built in 2016 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 10 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 759 of these cars first registered in 2016 took their annual MOT test. 86% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2016 the figure was 79%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.3% | 6.2% |
| Brakes | 3.2% | 4.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.0% | 6.1% |
| Suspension | 2.9% | 4.9% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.5% | 1.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
1,620 2016 cars are on the New Zealand register; 25% arrived as used imports, 74% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.3–10.5 L/100 km (about 22–28 mpg US), CO₂ 196–246 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.2 | 9.7 |
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 8.6 | 10.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback.
| 2024546 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2022395 21 Jul 2022 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, a connector for the electronic parking brake (EPB) could disconnect. If this happens, you won'… |
| 2016207 11 May 2016 | Steering On certain vehicles, steering column components may not have been manufactured to specification and therefore may not engage correctly, which could result in a … |
| 2015555 23 Nov 2015 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the nuts securing the propeller shaft to the rear differential may have not been tightened to specification during assembly and could loose… |
| 2015358 6 Aug 2015 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, during the manufacturing process of pressing the seal cap onto the propeller shaft yoke, the seal cap may have been positioned incorrectly.… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2016 Subaru Outback: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11010922 | This bulletin announces repair procedures to be used when diagnosing dark current draw (parasitic draw) on vehicles equipped with Gen 1 Data Control Modules. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008262 | This bulletin announces the procedures required to reprogram the DCM (Data Communication Module) in Gen1 Subaru vehicles in response to the 3G network sunsetting. |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
| 11006935 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles. |
| 11006934 | The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site. |
| 11006932 | This Service Information Bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when the Data Communication Module (DCM) is being tested as a dark current/standby current source. |
| 11006931 | This Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16. |
| 11005624 | This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available. |
| 11005615 | This announcement provides information for retailers to install the latest infotainment system software for Denso CP 1.5. |
| 11005614 | This bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when testing the Data Communication Module (DCM) as a dark current/standby current source. All models equipped with Telematics except Solterra. |
| 11005609 | This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program. |
| 11005608 | This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve. |
| 11005599 | This Bulletin provides SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion for 2025 MY vehicles. |
| 11005595 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11005593 | This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation