Fifth generation (BS)
2016 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2016 Subaru Outback is dead battery, with 238 complaints, usually around 40,000 miles.
- 643owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 22involved a crash
- 38,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Outback doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 643 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.6 times the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 5th 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 58 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs below the 2017 (92). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: dead battery, named in 238 of the 643 complaints (37%). A quarter of the 110 owners who gave a mileage for dead battery saw it by about 28,000 miles, and half by about 40,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 28 of the 643 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 22 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 13 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 7 of 22, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as dead battery, windshield and stalling. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 171 and have dropped every year since, to 21 in 2025. So far in 2026, 16 more have 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: battery dies or the car will not start, 238 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
643 complaints is 2.5 times the median 2016 model on this site and 2.6 times the median 2016 SUV. Among the 13 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.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 472 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Subaru Outback. 34 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 8 bulletins · 238 complaints
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.
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.
6 more on this problem
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM for control of battery charging functions. Depending on vehicle use conditions, the battery state of charge value may differ slightly from the actual value.
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM and address the following customer concerns: ? Check Engine light coming on (with DTC P05A0 stored in memory).
THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A CHANGE TO THE BATTERY SENSOR TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY OCCURRENCE OF DTC P1C00 BEING SET / STORED IN THE ECM MEMORY.
Windshield cracks or distorts 4 bulletins · 84 complaints
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) Quality Assurance has identified an increase in the number of cracked windshields on some 2015 and 2016MY Legacy and Outback models. SOA has now further extended the warranty to 8 years / unlimited miles.
This bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosing and repairing customer concerns of a âpoppingâ or âsnappingâ -type sound heard when opening the sunroof.
2 more on this problem
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. WILL BE ISSUING A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO ADDRESS CRACKS OR BREAKAGE IN THE DEICER AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD ON 2015 AND EARLY PRODUCTION 2016 LEGACY AND OUTBACK MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE ALL WEATHER PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED A WINDSHIELD WIPER ...
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A SERVICE PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF A WIND RUSHING-TYPE SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM THE FRONT DOOR GLASS SASH AREA. CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A CONCERN WITH ONE OR BOTH FRONT DOORS.
Car won't start 2 bulletins · 38 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 ...
IF YOU RECEIVE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A NO CRANK / NO START CONDITION DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, THE IG1, IG2, ACC1, ACC2 AND/OR THE EGI MAIN RELAYS MAY BE THE ROOT CAUSE AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 10 bulletins · 25 complaints
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 has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
8 more on this problem
This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different conditions relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the new-generation âGen 2â and âGen 2.1â F10 Navigation and Display Audio systems.
This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed involving âGen 2â F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7â display.
This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2" display.
All 2015-2017 MY vehicles with Fujitsu TEN (F10) 7in. Multimedia Navigation (AVN) & Display Audio Units. This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different conditions relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the ...
Models with FujitsuTEN (F10) Gen 2.0 / 2.1 Navigation or Display Audio Head Units ONLY. This bulletin provides a repair procedure to address specific, confirmed customer concerns of: ? Audio output interruption every 2-3 seconds when listening to AM or FM ...
Revised TSB: This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field listed below involving ?Gen 2? F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7? ...
Models Equipped with Navigation and Harman Kardon Power Amplifier Revised TSB. Fujitsu 10/ FTEN/ F10 Navigation Voice Guidance Instructions Getting Cut Off.
Revised TSB. Models with "Gen 2" F10 Audio/Navigation Systems. ?Gen 2? & ?Gen 2.1? Operating Tips. This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different s relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the new-generation ?Gen ...
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 19 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 instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
1 more on this problem
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear ABS wheel speed sensor on the models listed above. The change involves the addition of an additional shielding cover to protect the harness from damage caused by road debris.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR DIAGNOSING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A DELAYED AND / OR HARSH ENGAGEMENT OF THE CVT (MODEL TR580) WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. ALL 2013-16MY, 4-CYLINDER, N/A MODELS WITH CVT
Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF REPROGRAMMING FILES TO OPTIMIZE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) OPERATION AND ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING CUSTOMER CONCERNS: ENGINE RPM FLARE (SHARP RPM INCREASE WHEN CVT DOWNSHIFTS) WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL ON ...
Check engine light or misfire 5 bulletins · 6 complaints
This bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE.
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM) for hard starting in sub-freezing temperatures, DTC P0400, and surging in high altitudes.
3 more on this problem
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new control valve assembly (valve body) designed to prevent false detection of DTC P0841 and / or illumination of the AT Temp light.
This Service Information Bulletin announces design changes to the engine?s knock sensor which will help improve vehicle assembly line efficiency and increase durability.
This bulletin provides a service procedure for installation of additional foam packing to enhance performance of the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor.
Complaints filed by year
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
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2016 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Subaru Outback?
Dead battery, with 238 of the 643 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 40,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 353 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 17,000 miles and half by about 38,000.
Is the 2016 Subaru Outback better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has fewer complaints than the 2017: 58 a year against 92.
How many 2016 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
28 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for dead battery on the 2016 Subaru Outback?
No recall on file for the 2016 Subaru Outback is on the same system as dead battery. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.