First generation
2016 Subaru Crosstrek
The most reported problem on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is stalling, with 14 complaints, usually around 43,000 miles.
- 135owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 4involved a crash
- 39,208median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has 135 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Crosstrek model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 12 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (10). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, stalling, covers 14 of the 135 complaints (10%), and dead battery is next with 10 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 9 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 38,000 miles, and half by about 43,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 8 of the 135 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 4 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 1 person was hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 1 recall is on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against it.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 32 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 5. So far in 2026, 1 more has come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 14 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
135 complaints is 1.9 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.8 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 5 Crosstrek model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru filed 361 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. 18 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 4 bulletins · 10 complaints
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 frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi. In rare cases, customers may experience a dead battery as a result of the DCM continually trying to access the 3G network.
2 more on this problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is extending the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from three years (36 months or 36K miles) to eight years (96 months or 100K miles), whichever comes first.
In the Service Manual for the CROSSTREK hybrid model, the diagnostic procedures for P1C06 and P1C07, which are DTCs for checking the relay, have no steps for specifically checking the relay.
Windshield cracks or distorts 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
This bulletin provides a repair procedure for replacing the foam cushion installed between the top front edge of the IP and the windshield glass.
This bulletin announces a change to the procedure used in production of the rear door glass assembly. The bottom edge of the door glass is pressed into a metal channel lined with rubber. The channel attaches the door glass assembly to the window regulator.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
This bulletin announces a new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) control module for the models listed above. These new EPS control modules address a limited number of customer concerns regarding increased steering effort which may occur during freezing ...
This bulletin announces availability of a new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box assembly designed to address a VERY limited number of customer concerns regarding uneven steering effort felt when turning left or right.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 5 bulletins · 5 complaints
This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
This Service Information bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
3 more on this problem
This bulletin announces availability of a new HVAC blower motor unit assemblies developed to address isolated concerns of the blower motor becoming inoperative. If this issues occurs on models with Auto A/C, the blower fan may become totally inoperative.
This bulletin announces a design change to the A/C Condenser receiver-dryer assembly. The change involves the addition of a rubber end cap and retaining clip onto the bottom of the receiver-dryer tank portion to prevent corrosion intrusion and enhance sealing.
This bulletin announces the availability of a new Air Conditioning compressor / clutch assembly to address customer concerns of the system not operating. Electrical windings located inside the clutch assembly have been changed to eliminate the condition.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 5 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed above.
1 more on this problem
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
This bulletin announces a design change to the front strut mounts intended to address customer concerns of a popping-type sound which may be heard when making low speed turns.
Complaints filed by year
32 complaints came in 2019, 2.3 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
The recall on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Stalling, with 14 of the 135 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 43,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Crosstrek problems start?
Of the 87 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 26,000 miles and half by about 39,000.
Is the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 12 a year against 10.
How many 2016 Subaru Crosstrek complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
8 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
No recall on file for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is on the same system as stalling. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.