I WAS DRIVING TO A THANKSGIVING GATHERING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JULTED. IT WAS VERY ODD FELT ALMOST LIKE A PIN WAS PUT IN THE TRANSMISSION FORCING THE TIRES TO STOP SPINING. BUT WAS VERY BRIEF. AFTER ANOTHER 0.5 MILES OF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT CONTINUOUSLY WITH LOUD GRINDING AND CRUNCHY NOISES. AFTER PULING OVER THE CAR WAS SMOKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXTRE…
2016 Subaru Impreza powertrain problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
THE 2016 SUBARU IMPREZA STARTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN THE SHIFT KNOB WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN A ROW AND ON THE THIRD TIME THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BRAKE HARD IN ESSENCE "FIGHTING" THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, TRIED AGAIN, MADE IT HOME. IT WAS A RAINY DAY. MADE APPT. WITH DEALER. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT!
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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