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The 2016 Subaru Outback has 639 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 4 active recall campaigns.
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 639 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 293 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,381 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Outback | 296 | 12 |
| 2014 Outback | 208 | 10 |
| 2015 Outback | 506 | 5 |
| 2016 Outback (this page) | 639 | 4 |
| 2017 Outback | 917 | 4 |
| 2018 Outback | 806 | 3 |
| 2019 Outback | 1,030 | 3 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Subaru Outback SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 47,811 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
I purchased a replacement battery in 2023. In August of 2025, the battery died, requiring a jump start. A local auto parts store checked the battery and it tested within acceptable limits, showing around 513 amps. A private shop confirmed this, and cleaned the battery terminals…
The battery has gone dead at least 3 times, even after fresh replacement. The first time was due to rear inside light being switched on (according to the Subaru service technician). The second time was while out running errands. The third time was after being parked for two…
The contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there were abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he was…
Have had to replace the battery 2 times in the last 4 years. And currently have an app that shows the strength of the battery in addition to its cells. If the car is not driven in two to three days then the battery depletes energy. There has to be something going on from the…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 639 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Subaru Outback has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Subaru Outback is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 45 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–67,000 mi; Engine: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 31,000–111,500 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 293 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,381 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 639 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 45,381 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 293 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,381 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,381 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 639 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.