NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A replacement air bag control module installed in certain vehicles may not be compatible with the passenger air bag module, which could affect whether the passenger air bag deploys properly in a crash.
This page covers 4 recalls, 634 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Subaru Outback.
22–28 mpg combined
8.4–10.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2016 Subaru Outback centers on electrical system issues, which account by far for the largest share of owner reports. The most consistently described problem involves a parasitic battery drain that owners trace to the telematics/data communication module, many report going through multiple batteries within a year or two and relying on trickle chargers to keep the car usable overnight. Visibility and wiper complaints make up the second-largest group, though the specifics vary across reports. Engine complaints, while lower in volume, include owners describing exhaust leaks at the front pipe near the catalytic converter, as well as oil or cam carrier gasket failures that produced smoke in the engine bay. A smaller number of owners report CVT shudder or jerking during cold-start acceleration.
634
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks and a steering failure: a driveshaft can detach and puncture the fuel tank, transmission oil can drip onto the exhaust pipe, and a steering column defect can leave the steering wheel with no effect on the direction of the wheels.
The driveshaft separation and transmission oil leak are both limited to vehicles from specific production windows, though any affected vehicle faces real consequences. A detached driveshaft striking the fuel tank can cause a fuel leak that raises the risk of fire, while transmission oil leaking from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke can reach hot exhaust components and ignite. The steering issue, affecting a separate production run, means the steering column may not transmit input from the wheel to the front wheels at all, leaving the driver unable to steer. On the safety equipment side, some Outbacks that had an airbag control module replaced during a prior repair may have received a module that is not compatible with the passenger airbag. In a crash where the passenger frontal airbag needs to fire, it may not deploy correctly, reducing protection for the front passenger.
At a glance
What can fail
A replacement air bag control module installed in certain vehicles may not be compatible with the passenger air bag module, which could affect whether the passenger air bag deploys properly in a crash.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module at no charge. Contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or reference recall WUX-09.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column may have been improperly machined, causing the steering wheel to have no effect on wheel direction when turned.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering column lot number and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The securing nuts that attach the drive shaft to the rear differential may not be tight enough, which could cause the drive shaft to separate from the differential.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the fastening nuts as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke may be deformed, allowing transmission oil to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the propeller shaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.