2016 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 757 complaints
757
Total Complaints
34,000mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
11,325
25th Percentile
34,000
Median Mileage
53,516
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
298
Unknown Or Other
123
Visibility/Wiper
82
Engine
51
Power Train
40
Steering
23
Body
19
Vehicle Speed Control
18
Service Brakes
17
Fuel/Propulsion System
13
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
6
Fires
18
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I JUST PURCHASED A 2016 OB 2.5I PREMIUM. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. ON FRIDAY I DECIDED TO WASH MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. I STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, RAISED THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER, WENT AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND RAISED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. I THEN WASHED AROUND THE CAR. ..."
"NON COLLISION OR OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. A CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO OWNER WEBSITE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF WHICH SUBARU IS AWARE FOR THE 2015 AND 2016 MODEL YEARS. THEY OCCASIONALLY COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING THEY DO..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
298 complaints
25th: 26,750 mi
Median: 40,000 mi
75th: 59,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
123 complaints
25th: 16,165 mi
Median: 36,000 mi
75th: 50,500 mi
Visibility/Wiper
82 complaints
25th: 5,600 mi
Median: 40,000 mi
75th: 54,949 mi
Engine
51 complaints
25th: 17,000 mi
Median: 40,000 mi
75th: 78,500 mi
Power Train
40 complaints
25th: 13,270 mi
Median: 35,000 mi
75th: 52,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 75
NY: 47
WA: 44
CO: 39
NJ: 36
PA: 35
TX: 34
MI: 33
VA: 32
OH: 28
Who Files Complaints?
1.1%
Original Owners
98.9%
Second+ Owners
Subaru Outback — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Campaign 19V910000 | 19/12/2019
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Column
Campaign 16V292000 | 11/05/2016
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com.
Driveshaft
Campaign 15V502000 | 10/08/2015
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Driveshaft
Campaign 15V794000 | 24/11/2015
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.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
Compare Subaru Outback
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28