The CVT transmission failed at 79k miles at highway speeds causing the car to violently stall. We barely avoided hitting the cars around us trying to pull over. Luckily there was no car to rear end us. We were very lucky the traffic was light. These transmissions are defective and when they fail, they fail in a spectacular manner causing the vehicle to violently jerk and stall, a traumatic event…
2016 Subaru Outback powertrain problems
severe 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 44 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Outback, 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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 44 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Subaru Outback has widespread CVT transmission issues—jerking on cold starts, delayed engagement, violent failures at highway speeds requiring replacement—often covered under extended warranty but presented quietly rather than recalled. Critical safety defects include park-sensor failure trapping ignition keys, keyless-start button allowing unintended engine shutoff on slopes with vehicle rollback, battery drains stranding owners, and one documented engine fire at 30,000 miles with undetermined cause.
Owners of the 2016 Subaru Outback describe multiple distinct powertrain and related control failures. CVT transmission problems dominate: jerking and hesitation on acceleration from a stop, especially when cold; sudden loss of power and violent stalling at highway speeds; and complete transmission failure requiring replacement, sometimes twice in one vehicle. One owner reported a transmission failure at 35,000 miles, another at 67,000 on a replacement unit.
Transmission control issues appear separate: vehicles roll backward on inclines while in Drive or Reverse despite being automatic, forcing owners to rely on the hill-assist feature during normal driving. Hesitation or delayed engagement happens when shifting from Reverse to Drive, creating a 3-4 second lag.
The park-position sensor fails intermittently, leaving the ignition key stuck in the ACC position and preventing removal—even after restart cycles. This is acknowledged in TSB 16-112-18R. One owner reported needing a complete select-lever assembly replacement ($1,100).
Engine and electrical issues appear linked: one vehicle caught fire at 30,000 miles with no warning lights, engine revving without acceleration; another experienced shuddering, revving, then power loss and stalling at highway speed, followed by rapid battery drain. Battery failures occur unprompted, sometimes after a week of sitting, sometimes after driving.
A critical safety defect exists with the keyless-start button: drivers can inadvertently turn off the engine while in Drive or Neutral, causing the vehicle to roll on slopes. The current audible warning is insufficient. One owner's vehicle rolled backward in a garage.
CV joints fail early—one at 64,000 miles with clicking, requiring replacement and leading to early failure of the other side ($600+). Wheel bearings fail prematurely; one owner needed three bearing replacements by 64,000 miles.
Same Subaru Outback powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission—Jerking and Hesitation on Acceleration
Intermittent jerking and grabbing sensation when accelerating from a stop, worse when cold. One owner's complaint documented since February 2023 was confirmed by authorized dealer but never repaired; CVT oil pump cover leak was found at warranty expiration. Owners report this defect is covered under warranty extension bulletin 16-115-18 but is presented as a quiet extension rather than a recall despite hundreds of reports.
When: Begins early in ownership; documented from 2023 onward in one complaint; worse in cold conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking sensation when accelerating from stop; Worse when engine is cold; Intermittent grabbing; Sluggish initial response
Repairs/costs cited: CVT oil pump cover leak identified by dealer; CVT service or replacement implied by warranty extension; owner noted no repairs performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension bulletin 16-115-18; Subaru warranty extension program offered but owner not informed
CVT Transmission—Violent Failure and Stalling
CVT transmission fails suddenly at highway speeds with grinding sounds, violent jerking, and immediate stalling. Owners report this as a hazardous failure mode. One vehicle required first transmission replacement at 68,000 miles (2018); second transmission ground to halt at 67,000 miles on replacement. Another failed at 79,000 miles. One failure occurred at 72,000 miles. Subaru warranty extension to 100,000 miles denied after first replacement if remainder of vehicle exceeds 100,000 miles.
When: First transmission failure: 35,000 to 72,000 miles; second transmission failures: 67,000 miles onward
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise from transmission; Violent jerking to stop; Complete loss of propulsion; Vehicle stalls mid-drive; All warning lights illuminate during failure; Shuddering before failure
Repairs/costs cited: CVT replacement required; one owner had two replacements in one vehicle; labor costs denied under extended warranty in some cases; pilot pin in transmission repaired in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension to 100,000 miles offered; some claims denied if remainder of vehicle exceeds 100,000 miles; case opened by manufacturer in at least one failure
CVT Transmission—Delayed Engagement from Reverse to Drive
When shifting from Reverse to Drive, the vehicle hesitates for 3 to 4 seconds before engaging forward motion. Dealership states this is 'the way the CVT works,' but owner reports problem noted from first week of ownership. Creates safety risk when backing out onto busy streets.
When: Occurs consistently when shifting from Reverse to Drive; reported from 2015 onward
Symptoms owners cite: 3–4 second delay before forward engagement; Vehicle does not respond immediately when shifted to Drive from Reverse
Repairs/costs cited: None; dealership attributed to normal CVT operation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Transmission Control—Rollback on Inclines
Vehicle rolls backward significantly on any incline while in Drive or Reverse, despite automatic transmission. Owners report rolling back 3+ feet before engine response when accelerating uphill. Dealer claims all vehicles roll when in gear; however, owner with 13 previous vehicles reports only manual transmissions exhibited this behavior. Hill Assist feature must be manually engaged even during normal driving. Creates collision risk at stoplights.
When: Occurs whenever vehicle is stationary or moving slowly on slopes
Symptoms owners cite: Backward roll on incline while in gear; Tire slip and spin when accelerating uphill; No holding power on slope; Requires hill assist or hard brake pressure to prevent rollback
Repairs/costs cited: None; dealer denied problem exists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; issue noted as known problem on Subaru Outback forums
Transmission Control—Loss of Acceleration and Stalling in Traffic
Vehicle loses acceleration power mid-drive despite high engine RPM, sometimes resulting in stalling. Occurs at traffic lights, during merging, and on highways. Engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate. One occurrence at 35,000 miles required shifting to Neutral and back to Drive; another at 65 mph required turning off and restarting; at least two incidents involved power loss during highway driving with warning lights illuminating. One vehicle stalled in intersection during morning commute while in Drive with baby on board.
When: Ranges from 35,000 to 65,000+ miles; can occur at any speed or condition
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs without acceleration; Loss of driving power mid-drive; Vehicle stalls to complete stop; Check Engine light illuminates; Sluggish response after multiple power cycles; Limited steering ability at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: One case required repeated restart cycles and gear shifting; another required towing; CVT issues suspected in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case opened by manufacturer in one incident; no repairs confirmed in most cases
Powertrain—Engine Fire at Low Mileage
Vehicle caught fire at 30,000 miles during highway driving after experiencing sudden loss of power and acceleration failure. Engine revved without vehicle moving forward. No warning lights illuminated despite severe internal failure. Flames appeared from bottom of vehicle shortly after driver exited. Fire engulfed entire vehicle and destroyed possessions. Subaru QA team investigated but stated fire damage too intense to determine root cause. Vehicle was two years old, had all factory-recommended services, and was under warranty.
When: 30,000 miles; June 24 during highway drive
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power to wheels; Engine revving without acceleration; No warning lights prior to fire; Flames from bottom of vehicle; Rapid fire spread
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; investigation inconclusive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru QA team investigated; unable to determine root cause due to fire damage intensity
Park Position Sensor—Key Stuck in Ignition
Ignition key cannot be removed from ignition switch because vehicle does not recognize shift lever is in Park, even though it is positioned there. Shift assembly fails to register park position. Affects multiple keys and multiple people. Problem worsens on hills. Requires restarting car, shifting to another gear, back to Park, turning off, and repeating multiple times with luck. Issue documented in TSB 16-112-18R. Entire select-lever assembly replacement required ($1,100). For keyless ignition models, rear hatch will not open and alarm sounds when doors open while ignition is on. Vehicle displays message to move shifter to Park despite shifter already being in Park.
When: Occurs intermittently; worsens on inclines; present during parking attempts over years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn from ACC to OFF position; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Shift assembly does not recognize Park position; Warning message to move shifter to Park appears; Rear hatch locked; door ajar alarm sounds; Occurs with multiple keys and different drivers
Repairs/costs cited: Select-lever assembly replacement ($1,100); some owners replaced tumble and switch, then gear shift lever; issues recurred in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 16-112-18R issued acknowledging issue; Subaru acknowledged defect per owner statement
Keyless Start Button—Unintended Engine Shutoff and Vehicle Rollback
Driver can inadvertently press the start/stop button and shut off engine while vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Park. When vehicle is on a slope, it rolls forward or backward unattended, creating grave bodily-harm risk. One owner's vehicle rolled backward in garage on slight slope and hit closed garage door; owner notes children removing school bags behind vehicle would have been pinned. Only current safeguard is audible warning, which is insufficient. Possible workaround: automatically engage electric park brake on engine shutoff or disable engine stop until transmission is in Park.
When: Occurs during normal driving and parking on slopes
Symptoms owners cite: Engine turns off unintentionally when pressing start/stop button; Vehicle rolls backward or forward on slope after engine shuts off; Insufficient audible warning
Repairs/costs cited: Garage door damage repaired; no technical fix available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; presented as 'works as designed' behavior
Transmission—No Engagement and Jerking at Full Stop
Vehicle jolts or jerks while stopped at traffic lights or in Reverse without obvious cause. One vehicle jumped hard backward when exiting parking space in Reverse, nearly hitting car behind. Dealer replaced CVT under warranty but warned owner the jumping would continue and advised relying on hard braking to prevent rollback in Reverse. Problem persists after transmission replacement.
When: Occurs at full stop in Drive and when reversing; occurs after transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jolts or jerks while in gear at full stop; Hard backward jerk when reversing; Requires heavy brake pressure to control; Problem persists after CVT replacement
Repairs/costs cited: CVT replaced at no charge; jumping behavior continues despite replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced transmission; warned owner issue would continue
Charging and Electrical—Battery Failure and Drain
Battery drains completely for no apparent reason, requiring jump starts. Occurs after one week of vehicle sitting or randomly after short drives. One owner's battery died within 15 minutes of exiting vehicle after 30-minute highway drive. Multiple jump starts required within one year of ownership. Dealership replaced battery multiple times, but failure recurred. Unknown voluntary recall issued for exhaust and catalytic converter, but part unavailable. At least one failure occurred at 13,270 miles with low mileage. Another owner reports 'enormous problem' with battery drain affecting multiple Outbacks.
When: Can occur after one week of sitting, or randomly after a drive; one failure at 13,270 miles; multiple failures within one year
Symptoms owners cite: Complete battery drain; Vehicle will not start without jump start; Failure recurs after battery replacement; Battery fails test
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced multiple times in some vehicles; failures continued; catalytic converter and exhaust parts not available for replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown voluntary recall for exhaust and catalytic converter issued; part not available; loaner vehicle provided during repair wait
Charging and Electrical—Shuddering, Revving, Power Loss, and Stalling
Vehicle shudders, pops, and experiences revving RPMs before sudden power loss at highway speed. Engine stalls and vehicle loses steering. Electrical system fails rapidly after stalling—hazard lights become non-functional. Dealership reported software problem with charging system and updated software, but could not explain the shuddering, power loss, and stalling symptoms. Occurred late at night with poor visibility of disabled vehicle.
When: At highway speed (65 mph) during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering before power loss; Popping sounds; Engine revving before loss of power; Sudden power loss at highway speed; Limited steering; Vehicle stalls; Rapid loss of all electrical power; Hazard lights inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Charging system software updated; shuddering and stalling never explained or fully resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosed software problem in charging system; updated software
Oil Leak—Camshaft Carrier and Valve Cover Gaskets
Oil leaks from camshaft carrier and valve cover gaskets. Mechanic found chunks of silicone around carrier upon removal, indicating possible sealant breakdown. Burning smell noticed after dealership oil change. Check Oil lamp illuminated approximately two months after Subaru oil change. Oil loss could lead to fire risk. One incident related to NHTSA Campaign Number 15V502000.
When: Manifested approximately two months after dealership oil change; complaint at 74,315 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from engine compartment; Check Oil lamp illumination; Oil splatter inside engine compartment; Visible oil leaks; Oil loss
Codes mentioned: Check Oil Light
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as camshaft carrier oil leak and valve cover gasket leak; chunks of silicone found during repair indicating sealant failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; related to NHTSA Campaign 15V502000
CV Joint—Early Failure and Clicking
CV joint begins clicking and deteriorates rapidly, requiring replacement due to safety hazard. Front right CV joint started making clicking sound, became extremely bad within one month. Repair cost over $600 for CV axle replacement. After replacement of right side, left CV joint was found to be failing and requiring replacement as well.
When: Occurs by 64,000 miles; right side failed first, left side failing shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sounds from CV joint; Noise worsens over one month; Declared unsafe to drive by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle replacement cost over $600 per side; requires replacement of both sides in some vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Wheel Bearing—Premature Failure
Wheel bearings fail prematurely with noise and safety hazard. One owner replaced wheel bearing/hub on right side at 64,000 miles due to clicking noise and wheel-detachment risk, but noise persisted. Dealer found left bearing also failing and declared vehicle unsafe to drive. Owner concerned when and if fourth bearing fails. Another owner reported rear passenger side wheel hub bearing replacement at 67,000 miles with loud noise.
When: Occurs by 64,000 to 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from wheel area; Clicking or grinding sounds; Wheel bearing/hub failure; Wheel at risk of falling off
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel bearing/hub replacement; multiple bearings failed in same vehicle requiring multiple replacements; vehicle declared unsafe to drive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Automatic Transmission—No Engagement with Jerking
Automatic transmission does not engage properly, causing jerking motion. Issue has persisted undiagnosed for three years since vehicle was new. Subaru extended warranty for one year, but owner wants permanent fix. Owner and spouse complained repeatedly.
When: Present since vehicle was new in 2016; ongoing for three years
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission does not engage; Jerking motion of vehicle; Undiagnosed issue
Repairs/costs cited: Unrepaired; warranty extension offered by manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru extended transmission warranty for one year
Accelerator Loss with Visible Fire
During highway passing maneuver, vehicle suddenly lost power to wheels and would not accelerate despite engine revving up to 3,000–4,000 RPM. Vehicle able to pull to shoulder and stop, at which point flames visible from bottom of car. Driver and three passengers evacuated successfully. Fire department extinguished fire after it engulfed vehicle. Subaru QA team investigated but could not determine root cause due to fire damage intensity.
When: At highway speed during passing maneuver; approximately 30,000 miles, two years after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power to wheels; Engine revs but no acceleration; No warning lights; Temperature gauge normal; Flames appear from undercarriage; Rapid fire spread; Black smoke
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; investigation inconclusive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru QA team investigated; unable to determine cause due to fire damage
Transmission—Loss of Forward Movement with Resistance
While driving on highway or state road, all warning lights illuminate and vehicle suddenly loses movement with resistance, as if parking brake engaged. Vehicle jerks violently. Requires towing to dealer. Pilot pin in transmission repaired in one case. Multiple occurrences in same vehicle.
When: Occurs during highway and state road driving; at least three occurrences reported in one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights illuminate; Vehicle loses forward movement; Resistance as if parking brake engaged; Violent jerking; Vehicle cannot be driven
Repairs/costs cited: Pilot pin in transmission repaired; transmission replaced in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Vehicle Acceleration—Unintended Acceleration into Curb and Tree
Vehicle independently accelerated while at complete stop during parking attempt. Vehicle jumped curb and struck tree. Air bags did not deploy. Wife uncertain if warning lights illuminated. Vehicle towed to independent mechanic for damage repair. Prior to failure, vehicle was serviced under NHTSA recall 15V794000 (Power Train) at North End Subaru.
When: At approximately 44,343 miles during parking maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Independent acceleration from complete stop; Vehicle uncontrollable; Jumps curb; Strikes object
Repairs/costs cited: Body damage repaired at independent shop; underlying cause not determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V794000 (Power Train) had been serviced prior to incident; dealer nor manufacturer notified of failure after repair
Transmission—Slow Acceleration Response
Vehicle lost acceleration at low speed while climbing small hill in parking lot. Speedometer read only 2 mph despite pressing gas pedal 50 percent. Engine did not race. Owner braked, shifted out of and back to Drive, and vehicle responded normally. Single occurrence, but concerning.
When: During low-speed uphill acceleration in parking lot; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration on uphill climb; Engine does not race; Slow speed despite accelerator input; Resolves after shifting gears
Repairs/costs cited: None; issue resolved by gear shifting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
This issue is a safety enhancement request affecting top of the line Subaru outback 2016 limited/premium models equipped with keyless ignition systems. This issue is similar to that reported in NHTSA id number:10881286. Issue: it is possible for a driver to inadvertently turn off the engine (we are only human) using the start/stop button when the vehicle is in drive, park or neutral. If…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Subaru Outback?
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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 44 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?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 30,000 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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 $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.
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/Outback.
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.