2016 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (23) · Power Train (15) · Steering (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
77 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (353)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 353 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-29 · Engine“while driving my 2016 subaru crosstrek (vin: [xxx]) at approximately 70,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic cooling system rupture on the roadway without any prior dashboard warning light. a radiator hose burst, resulting in rapid, complete loss of engine coolant and steam, creating an immediate safety hazard and forcing an em…”
2025-12-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System“within 24 hours of purchase, the exhaust pipe became detached underneath the vehicle and exhaust fumes and odor were entering the cabin while driving. this created a potential carbon monoxide exposure risk to me and passengers. subaru inspected the vehicle and confirmed the exhaust issue existed before i purchased the car. the selling dealership di…”
2025-11-05 · Electrical System“a/c control head and connector burned on both ends. dealer service center stated it was a significant safety/fire hazard if we had not immediately taken in to be checked. no warning, no fuses out. only indication something was wrong is a/c turned on but only on 1,2 and 4. then, same day, only on 4. next day took to subaru service center. when we as…”
2025-05-05 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch“hood latch failed causing hood to fly open, smashing and breaking my windshield.…”
2025-04-29 · Unknown Or Other“the cvt valve body was diagnosed as defective by the subaru dealership service department. the car was taken to the dcealership when the a/t oil emp, hill assist, abs and traction control, stability control lights came up. the valve body is still available for inspection. the car was taken to the dealership for a brake light switch recall that has …”
2025-04-15 · Steering“full electrical power steering failure…”
2024-12-03 · Structure:body“how was your safety or the safety o others put at risk? on [xxx], i bought a 2016 subaru crosstrek. unfortunately, i fell into the bad and abusive practice of buying a car as is since at no time did that used car dealer in raleigh inform about the correction and rust that is underneath the car. if they had said so, i would not buy the car since i…”
2024-09-06 · Unknown Or Other“our 2016 subaru crosstrek (automatic transmission) has had intermittent issues with it losing power despite our foot being on the accelerator. it will typically reengage if we take our foot off the accelerator for a bit and then hit the gas again. however, it has become a more frequent problem and feels increasingly unsafe to drive, particularly wi…”
2024-07-11 · Electrical System · 💥 crash“i have a 2016 subaru crosstrek. unfortunately i have had a couple of issues. the main thing being the horn. the location of the problem is affecting my air bag, and my rear window defroster. i don’t know if subaru has a faulty clockspring and relays, that malfunction after a certain amount of time. but for everyone’s safety, it would seem that the …”
2024-07-10 · Electrical System“battery drain bought new battery got dcm update pulled dcm fuse still battery goes dead thousands of vehicles involved suburu knows the cause to expensive to fix please help3/3…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.