Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru WRX. 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 ↗Inoperative Backup Lights and Rearview Image
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Consequence
- Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Turbocharger Intake Duct Crack may cause Stall
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
- Consequence
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Collision Mitigation Braking may not Function
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
- Consequence
- If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
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 (31)
31 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 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 32.3% |
| Engine | 8 | 25.8% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 19.4% |
| Power train | 4 | 12.9% |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 6.5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 6.5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering | 2 | 6.5% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Tires | 1 | 3.2% |
How 2016 compares with other WRX years
Best and worst WRX years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 12 |
| 2013 | 7 | 11 |
| 2014 | 6 | 10 |
| 2015 | 52 | 3 |
| 2016 | 31 | 3 |
| 2017 | 53 | 1 |
| 2018 | 43 | 2 |
| 2019 | 30 | 2 |
| 2020 | 17 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 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.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 385 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 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 · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $3,550 | 385 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S8 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 21 | $3,900 | 420 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 459 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 WRX 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 WRX FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru WRX have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 22V522000 (lighting), 16V162000 (engine), 15V366000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru WRX problems?
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (10), Engine (8), Unknown or other (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Subaru WRX get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2016 WRX compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Subaru WRX model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2017 the most (53). The 2016 drew 31. 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.