Diagsheet

Fifth generation (BS)

2016 Subaru Outback

  • 643owner complaints
  • 4recalls
  • 22involved a crash
  • 38,000median miles at failure

Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2016 Subaru Outback
Photo: HJUdall, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

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: battery dies or the car will not start, 238 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early19 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2016 Subaru Outback643
        Median 2016 model here (27 vehicles)552
        Median 2016 SUV here (15)539

        643 complaints is 1.2 times the median 2016 model on this site and 1.2 times the median 2016 SUV. Among the 12 Outback model years here it ranks 5th 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.

        Complaints filed by year

        715
        5616
        3217
        5018
        6719
        10120
        17121
        6622
        3123
        2524
        2125
        1626

        171 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        EA21-002opened Sep 17, 2021
        Airbags · model years 2015 to 2017

        Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been n

        Recalls that include the 2016 Subaru Outback

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        19V-910Dec 19, 2019
        Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

        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 and remedy
        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.
        Remedy: 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.
        16V-292May 11, 2016
        Do not drive Steering:Column

        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 and remedy
        Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: 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.
        15V-794Nov 24, 2015
        Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

        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 and remedy
        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.
        Remedy: 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.
        15V-502Aug 10, 2015
        Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

        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 and remedy
        Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
        Remedy: 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.

        Other model years