2016 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Subaru Outback: 4 recalls, 643 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V502000 · 2015 · 2,893 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru legacy 4-door and outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil May leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Why it matters: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V794000 · 2015 · 3,251 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft May separate from the rear differential.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #16V292000 · 2016 · 48,819 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 legacy and outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles May have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel May have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Why it matters: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V910000 · 2019 · 46 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module May have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Why it matters: 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 fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (309): the most common themes are electrical failure (249), stalls / loses power (52), door / lock issues (35).
- Other / unknown (124): the most common themes are electrical failure (24).
- Visibility/Wiper (83): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Engine (53): the most common themes are electrical failure (12), leaks (12), warning light on (9).
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 643 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 32 Outback model years for complaints (2.1× the average Outback year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (171 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 35,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (510 complaints, 5 recalls), 2017 (918 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Subaru Outback.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners have filed 643 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (309), other / unknown (124), visibility/wiper (83).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Outback get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Subaru Outback repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.