Is the 2016 Subaru WRX reliable?

The 2016 Subaru WRX has 40 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Subaru WRX?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Subaru WRX?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH. 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 WRX?

The 2016 Subaru WRX gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Subaru WRX is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-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 WRX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Subaru WRX has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is electrical problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: passenger side headlights went out. i kept getting "headlight disabled" message on dash, with condensation building up on the passenger headlight, but the headlight kept working so i gave it a week and now passenger side is completely out. i took it to subaru and they said they will replace the bulb. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

25%

• PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I KEPT GETTING "HEADLIGHT DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASH, WITH CONDENSATION BUILDING UP ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, BUT THE HEADLIGHT KEPT WORKING SO I GAVE IT A WEEK AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS COMPLETELY OUT. I TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE BULB
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) FOR THE FAILURES AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE ELECTRICAL SYS
• RECALL CLUTCH CHANGE BRAKES ELECTRICAL AND EMISSIONS SEEM TO BE FAILING TUCSON, AZ SUBARU PALM SPRINGS ,CA SUBARU IN MOTION SYSTEMS SYSTEMS FAILURE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I KEPT GETTING "HEADLIGHT DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASH, WITH CONDENSATION BUILDING UP ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, BUT THE HEADLIGHT KEPT WORKING SO I GAVE IT A WEEK AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS COMPLETELY OUT. I TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE BULB”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Subaru WRX

Based on 23 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 32K mi · 6 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 (3)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING12/06/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Subaru WRX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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 WRX

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

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru WRX 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 WRX, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I KEPT GETTING "HEADLIGHT DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASH, WITH CONDENSATION BUILDING UP ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, BUT THE HEADLIGHT KEPT WORKING SO I GAVE IT A WEEK AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS COMPLETELY OUT. I TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE BULB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 (NA) SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RESET P CODES 1449, 1604, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOW UP TO SUBARU STANDARDS; HOWEVER,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 SUBARU WRX DOWN A MAIN ROAD AT ABOUT 11PM. I WAS IN 3RD GEAR GOING 30MPH DRIVING STRAIGHT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A GRINDING HALT. I DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND SINCE I WAS ALREADY MOVING FORWARD IN 3RD, THE CLUTCH WAS NOT PRESSED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON ONCE THE CA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION IN MY 2016 WRX AT 580 MILES. I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF 6TH. AS I WAS ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO 3RD TO GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR (STUCK IN NEUTRAL) WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL FULLY DEPRE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)