This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Crosstrek body problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Crosstrek (this page) | 5 |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 8 |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 5 body complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides important guidelines for collision repair facilities to follow when repairing and refinishing Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a procedure for replacement of the black foam rubber insulating cushions for the roof rails.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new interior door handles which will address isolated concerns of the chrome finish peeling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin announces a change made to the rear subframe retaining bolts used on the models listed above. The design changes provide the bolt with an increased durability against rust.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
How was your safety or the safety o others put at risk? On [XXX], I bought a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Unfortunately, I fell into the bad and abusive practice of buying a car as is since at no time did that used car dealer in Raleigh inform about the correction and rust that is underneath the car. If they had said so, I would not buy the car since it cannot be fixed and at the Subaru dealer where…
While driving my 2016 Subaru on a highway in the rain, the sun roof unexpectedly exploded outward. There wasn't any sign of being hit by debris to cause the glass to shatter. Broken glass flew all over. I took photos of the glass roof that clearly shows the shattered roof broke upward.
Had body trouble with your 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 7,001 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Crosstrek.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.