Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Brake Lights May Not Illuminate
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
- Consequence
- Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (132)
132 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 132 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 37 | 28% |
| Unknown or other | 34 | 25.8% |
| Power train | 18 | 13.6% |
| Engine | 14 | 10.6% |
| Steering | 13 | 9.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 6.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4.5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3.8% |
| Structure | 5 | 3.8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 3.8% |
How 2016 compares with other Crosstrek years
Best and worst Crosstrek years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 26 | 1 |
| 2014 | 16 | 1 |
| 2015 | 17 | 1 |
| 2016 | 132 | 1 |
| 2017 | 94 | 1 |
| 2018 | 195 | 5 |
| 2019 | 284 | 7 |
| 2020 | 69 | 0 |
| 2021 | 115 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Subaru Crosstrek suv awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 31 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,150
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 286 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 31 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 29 / 33 / 31 | $2,150 | 286 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Crosstrek for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Subaru Crosstrek FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 19V149000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru Crosstrek problems?
Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (37), Unknown or other (34), Power train (18) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 29 city, 33 highway and 31 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek suv awd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Crosstrek compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Subaru Crosstrek model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2019 the most (284). The 2016 drew 132. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.