2016 Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (246) · Visibility/Wiper (83) · Power Train (38)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Outback model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
349 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2019-12-19 · campaign 19V910000 · 46 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Steering:column 2016-05-11 · campaign 16V292000 · 48,819 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2015-11-24 · campaign 15V794000 · 3,251 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2015-08-10 · campaign 15V502000 · 2,893 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (478)
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 478 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-20 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 207,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2016 subaru outback. the contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale, but the contact discovered the seller was associated with a car dealer. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,059. after obtaining a …”
2026-08-18 · Vehicle Speed Control“the car accelerates on its own at times. i am not pressing the gas or going down a hill. it is flat road, sometimes even pulling into my driveway. there is also feeling like i am being bumped from the back and moving when i am idle. i am strict about oil changes and have it fully inspected when i take it every 3 months as i am a single mom and cann…”
2026-08-10 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“unknown when pulling into a parking space at the [xxx] diner my 2016 outback suddenly accelerated while i was ready to shift from drive to park. it was as if i put the gas peddle to the floor. there was a car about 6feet in front of me which i hit. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-07-20 · Engine“there is a crack in the exhaust manifold and the exhaust smell is entering the cabin affecting driver and passengers' health. the problem has been confirmed by a subaru dealer and an independent mechanic. there were no warning lights, i was made aware after routine maintenance by an independent mechanic. the same part has failed in multiple subaru …”
2026-07-01 · Electrical System:adas:autonomous/Self Driving“the reporting citizen was driving legally on [xxx] going forward towards the parking lot next to the round about when an uncrewed, autonomous commercial vehicle operated by waymo suffered a catastrophic software/hardware failure. the 6,000-pound driverless robot taxi aggressively pursued and chased the citizen’s vehicle in reverse for that full cit…”
2026-06-15 · Power Train“while driving the 2016 subaru outback, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the continuously variable transmission (cvt). the transmission completely failed, resulting in an immediate and dangerous loss of propulsion while operating the vehicle. this created an immediate safety hazard for myself, my toddler and other drivers o…”
2026-06-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“subject: formal safety defect complaint: 2016 subaru outback – manufacturing nondisclosure of latent "day 1" design flaw causing ignition key entrapment, uncommanded steering column lockout, and severe family safety risk i am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by subaru of america, inc.…”
2026-06-01 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle: 2016 subaru outback recall number: wuj95 – front exhaust pipe bellows crack i incurred repair expenses to address a condition that was later covered by subaru recall wuj95. at the time of the repair, i was unaware that the vehicle was subject to this recall because i never received any recall notification from subaru. the affected compon…”
2026-05-28 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“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. on 05/25/2026 the brakes failed after backing out of an inclin…”
2026-04-13 · Electrical System“parasitic battery drain due to a faulty dcm module. i've purchase 3 batteries in the past 16 months. i now have to keep a trickle charger on my car at night to ensure my battery is not dead in the morning. unable to park overnight without charger due to fear of another dead battery.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.