AI Damage2016 Subaru Outback: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Subaru Outback filed 642 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and visibility. The maker issued 325 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 642
- involving a crash
- 22
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 325
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 48% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 309 complaints (48% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 162.
- Visibility: 91 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 52 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Powertrain: 45 complaints (7% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
- Steering: 24 complaints (4% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 642 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 309 | 3 | 162 |
| Visibility | 91 | 1 | 9 |
| Engine | 52 | 2 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 45 | 2 | 34 |
| Steering | 24 | 3 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 5 | 1 |
| Structure | 19 | 2 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Air bags | 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On 05/08/2026 the brakes failed while in a queue at a drive-up restaurant. The car was steered away to a flat part of the parking lot. After a restart the brakes returned to operation and the car was taken to the dealership where the brake line were flushed and the brake fluid replaced.
Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family.
A few customers were greatly alarmed by the Subaru's proximity to their lunch tables by the windows. I was able to put the vehicle into reverse and carefully move it off the sidewalk. I exited the car and went in to share my insurance information with the empathetic employees and manager of the business.
the car lurched forward with absolutely no gas pedal involvement. The previous times it happened at a stoplight with enough room in front to hit the brake. Not this time.
The passenger in the passenger seat sustained a fractured sternum and two broken ribs from going into the seatbelt. The driver sustained a sore neck and dizziness.
I was turning around a bend, going approximately 35mpg, when the wheels no longer were turning as if not responding to the direction of the wheel, almost like it was operating independently of the steering column. The automobile slammed into the curb on the left of the road, damaging the alignment.
The contact stated that the vehicle jumped a curb and hit a tree; however, his wife was unsure if any warning lights had illuminated during the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the contact's wife was not injured.
Her driver's side airbags did not deploy and she was severely injured and spent 8 days in hospital. Lost partial dentures, another tooth and bent her implant when her face hit steering wheel. She had about 150 stitches to face and has permanent scaring to face as a result of the failure of airbag to deploy.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 79 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Outback has 477 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 642, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This 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 no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 325 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Outback?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, visibility, engine. Total complaints: 642. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (17%), won't start (8%), windows, sunroof (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 325 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Subaru Outback from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.