Is the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2016 Subaru OUTBACK has 769 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (308 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (125 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (91 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, STEERING:COLUMN, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2016 Subaru OUTBACK gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,375/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Subaru OUTBACK has 769 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is electrical problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: my car required 2 repairs 5 weeks apart of the wiring bundle controlling the fog lights and low oil level sensor due to a critter chewing the bundle while it was parked. i now have bounce laundry sheets stuffed around the engine compartment at the suggestion of the dealer; they see this often from . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 19 crash reports 10 injuries

769

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

308 complaints

40%

• MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM
• I PURCHASED A NEW 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON OCTOBER 6, 2015. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON JANUARY 25, 2016, EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES HAD 35 PSI IN THEM AS RECOMMENDED. SINCE THAT DAY, THE SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED 17 TIMES, AGAIN EVERY TIME THE TIRES HAD THE CORRECT PRESSURE IN THEM. THE
• WE PURCHASED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6, FULLY-LOADED WITH EVERY BELL AND WHISTLE REGARDING SAFETY, COMFORT, AND CONVENIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER 2015. THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY FROZE CAUSING THE CLOCK TO FREEZE AT 10:37AM AS WELL AS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (NO VOICE COM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 412 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 34K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

176

30-60K

154

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 68 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 41K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE19/12/2019

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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,375

Full coverage / month

$115

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1375

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2016 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 769 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHILE DRIVING CAR ON I-95 , NOTICED 4-4 IN. CRACK IN LOWER DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD ,AFTER INVESTIGATING NOTICED SMALL PIT SIZE OF PENCIL POINT WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. CRACK KEPT GROWING. NEXT DAY CONTINUED MY TRIP ON I-95 , ABOUT 3 HRS LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE UPPE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE PLASTICS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE "NEW CAR SMELL" IS ESPECIALLY FRAGRANT, AND AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, I DEVELOP A METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LINGERS, EVEN IF I HAVE LEFT THE CAR. IT CAN LINGER FO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)