Subaru Crosstrek problems
131 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–55,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Today we had the third wheel bearing replaced on this car. At 43k miles the right rear bearing has been replaced twice and the left rear bearing once.
Key is sticking in ignition. Was informed that there is a known fix for a known problem that happens but it will cost over $400 to fix. This is a known design flaw with a known service bulletin that makes a change to a piece of plastic in the shifter.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Subaru crosstrek. The contact stated that vehicle would not start. Colonial Subaru (761 e chester st, kingston, ny 12401, (845) 339-3330) advised the contact to go to an independent mechanic to have oil added to the vehicle. The contact called the…
I have had three occurrences with my vehicle where I discovered a dangerous situation in the manual heater and air conditioner control module connector that resulted in the module connector and the wiring harness connector both becoming scorched and melted due to excessive heat.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–55,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 32 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 44,472 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 44,472 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Crosstrek has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 131 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.