Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback. 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 ↗Air Bag Control Module Incompatible With Air Bag
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Loss of Steering Ability
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Transmission Oil Leak
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
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 (643)
643 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 643 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 309 | 48.1% |
| Unknown or other | 124 | 19.3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 83 | 12.9% |
| Engine | 53 | 8.2% |
| Power train | 45 | 7% |
| Steering | 24 | 3.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 3.4% |
| Service brakes | 19 | 3% |
| Structure | 19 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 2% |
How 2016 compares with other Outback years
Best and worst Outback years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 292 | 16 |
| 2013 | 297 | 12 |
| 2014 | 208 | 10 |
| 2015 | 510 | 5 |
| 2016 | 643 | 4 |
| 2017 | 917 | 4 |
| 2018 | 813 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1,035 | 3 |
| 2020 | 899 | 6 |
| 2021 | 296 | 4 |
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 Outback suv awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 319 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 | 319 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 398 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Outback 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 Outback FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 19V910000 (air bag), 16V292000 (steering), 15V794000 (power train), 15V502000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners filed 643 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (309), Unknown or other (124), Visibility/wiper (83) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 25 city, 32 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2016 Subaru Outback get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Subaru Outback suv awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Outback compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Subaru Outback model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (208) and the 2019 the most (1,035). The 2016 drew 643. 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.