This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Legacy electrical problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 47 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 47.
Electrical accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Legacy electrical cluster breaks down into four distinct failure patterns.
Battery drain and replacement: Owners across the dataset report parasitic battery drain occurring when vehicles sit idle for 2–3 days or longer. Multiple owners replaced batteries annually or more frequently—some cited 2–4 replacements in 1–2 years—yet alternators tested normal. Several attribute the drain to a CAN-bus or DCM (data communication module) design flaw, with one owner mentioning a class-action settlement acknowledging a known Hardware/Software problem. Dealers advised disconnecting battery cables or using maintenance chargers; some updated the engine control module via OBDII reprogramming, but owners report the problem persisted. A few batteries developed premature corrosion or failed within days of replacement.
Key stuck in ignition (park-range switch): Owners cannot remove the ignition key after placing the vehicle in park. The problem occurs 30–50% of the time for some, becoming constant for others. Restarting the engine and shifting through all gears back into park usually releases the key, sometimes requiring multiple attempts. One owner mentions Subaru Service Bulletin 16-112-18R and notes the dealership charges over $400 for repair. The issue typically begins around 60,000–80,000 miles.
Power window malfunction: Two owners report front window issues—one with a passenger-side window rolling down and back up repeatedly; another with windows randomly not rolling up, bouncing halfway, and locking in position temporarily. The driver's-side window failed completely in one case. One repair cost $100.
Check engine light with secondary electrical failures: One owner experienced check engine codes, horn failure (horns stopped working while the check engine light was on and resumed after resolution), and another owner found oil in the ECU and O2 sensors, damaging electrical components and causing misfires. Oil appeared to travel through wiring harnesses from the engine.
Same Subaru Legacy electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic battery drain
Battery becomes fully discharged when vehicle sits idle for 2–3 days or longer, even with no accessories running. Issue recurs despite multiple battery replacements and normal alternator function. Owners suspect DCM (data communication module) or CAN-bus design flaw attempting to maintain connection to obsolete 3G cellular network.
When: Occurs intermittently starting at various mileages (39,000–80,000+ miles); one class-action settlement acknowledges the problem in 2015–2020 Legacies
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely discharged after sitting 2–3 days or longer; Vehicle will not start without jump-start; Alternator tests normal; no electrical accessories left on; Rapid discharge during stop-and-go traffic or idling with AC running; Battery corrosion buildup; early battery failure within months of replacement
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced battery multiple times (some owners reported 2–4 replacements in 1–2 years; one owner spent $300+ on a red-top battery that lasted 2 days). Engine control module OBDII reprogramming attempted. Dealership recommended battery maintenance charger or cable disconnection when vehicle not in use. No permanent fix reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru settled a class-action lawsuit acknowledging Hardware/Software problem with CAN system affecting 2015–2020 Legacies and other models. One owner states Subaru is fully aware of the issue but has not issued a recall. Manufacturer advised one owner to disconnect battery cables or purchase maintenance charger.
Ignition key stuck in park position (park-range switch failure)
Key cannot be removed from ignition cylinder after placing vehicle in park, even with steering wheel straight and parking brake engaged. Occurs intermittently (30–50% of the time) or becomes constant. Requires restarting engine and shifting through all gears back to park—sometimes multiple attempts—before key releases. No warning lights.
When: Issue typically begins around 60,000–80,000 miles; one owner reports starting about 1 year into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn back far enough to remove after placing car in park; Key requires forceful handling or multiple shift cycles to release; Problem occurs intermittently then progresses to every instance; No warning lights or dashboard alerts
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership quoted over $400 for repair. Multiple owners did not pursue dealer repair due to cost or warranty expiration. One owner reports the repair was not completed at an independent service center.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Service Bulletin 16-112-18R issued (referenced by one owner), indicating the problem is known. One owner states Subaru of America is claiming no responsibility.
Power window failure (front doors)
Front passenger or driver-side window malfunction: passenger window rolls down then immediately rolls back up repeatedly; driver window will not roll down at all. Another owner reports windows randomly fail to roll up, bounce halfway down, and lock in position temporarily.
When: One repair occurred under extended warranty; recurrence happened later. Another owner reports the issue began when AC was running during stop-and-go traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side window cycles up and down uncontrollably; Driver-side window inoperative (will not roll down); Windows bounce and lock in partially open position; No warning lights
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $100 out-of-pocket when repair occurred under extended warranty; same problem recurred after warranty expired. Owner unable to afford second repair. No other repair costs cited.
Oil intrusion into electrical components (ECU and O2 sensors)
Oil enters ECU and O2 sensors, traveling through engine wiring harness. This causes check engine light codes (including P0171 and P0174 bank 1 sensor 2 too lean), misfires at highway speeds, and further electrical component damage.
When: Issues manifested over 6 months; vehicle became inoperative awaiting repair (September 2021)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple check engine light codes: initially pointed to O2 sensors, then alternator, then ECU; Engine misfires at speeds 25–75 mph, causing unsafe jerking on interstate; Codes P0171 and P0174 (bank 1 sensor 2 too lean); Oil visibly present in ECU; oil found in O2 sensor after cleaning
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru specialist cleaned oil from ECU and O2 sensor; however, additional oil appeared in the other O2 sensor within 24 hours. Vehicle remained inoperative pending repairs (no repair cost cited).
Check engine light with horn inoperability
Check engine warning light illuminates while driving at 60 mph, and horn simultaneously fails to function. Horn resumes normal operation after check engine light is resolved. Indicates an electrical subsystem interaction or fault.
When: Occurred at 184,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminates; Horn fails to function while check engine light is on; Horn returns to normal after check engine light is resolved
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repair cost provided. Vehicle not taken to dealer or independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and informed owner this is a known issue. Manufacturer advised discontinuing vehicle operation until check engine light is resolved.
Rodent damage to soy-based wiring harness
Electrical wiring harness manufactured with soy-based insulation material attracts rodents (mice, squirrels, chipmunks). Animals chew through wires and harness, destroying it and potentially damaging adjacent components including power steering lines and exhaust hoses. Causes all dashboard warning lights to flash when engine is started; vehicle becomes undriveable.
When: Two separate incidents reported, occurring months apart; widespread issue affecting multiple owners across forums
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights flash simultaneously (brake, transmission, oil, air, etc.); Vehicle will not start or is undriveable; Wiring harness visibly chewed; potential damage to other components
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement harness required; two repairs within less than 5 months cost over $6,000 total. Manufacturer states no remedy other than replacement with same soy-based materials.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provides no alternative solution and continues to replace harness with same soy-based material. One owner mentions speaking with others who experienced vehicle fires related to this damage.
Dash display malfunction and infotainment freeze (on long trips)
Infotainment display screen blinks, freezes, or goes blank during driving, particularly on long road trips with multiple short stops. Display becomes unresponsive and shows incorrect time alerts (e.g., '2–3 hours since vehicle ignition'). Condition clears after 15 minutes of vehicle shutdown and restart.
When: Occurs during long road trips with multiple short refueling stops
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen blinks or freezes; Display goes blank; Incorrect time or duration alerts appear; Display returns to normal after 15-minute shutdown and restart
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Two fuses were replaced. No other repair details provided.
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Battery draining problem the requires a new battery to be installed Original batter 2016 Car would not start in February 2019 and required replacement Car would not start in January 2021 and required replacement Car would not start in December 2021 and required jumping
Battery died because of a drain problem. I had to replace 2 batteries in one year and ten months. How many batteries must I replaced before Subaru does a recall? Is there anything you can do?
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not…
Battery has failed twice in a matter of a year. Both batteries were top of the line and no reason can be seen for failure. I see that there are a great deal of the same sort of complaints listed here and Subaru should be well aware of this issue.
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Subaru Legacy?
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 electrical problem on the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 47,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/Legacy.
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.