2016 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2016

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2016 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (10%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (41%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 90 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2016 Subaru Outback.

2016 Subaru Outback repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (2%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (64%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 58 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2016 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Subaru Outback in Texas, United States
Jul 2015 - Dec 2017
Dec 2017

16000 mi
Dead battery would not start, required jump start to make it to dealer. 
Subaru Outback in Utah, United States
Oct 2016 - Jun 2022
Feb 2017

25000 mi
Car cranked but would not start. At the dealer, the problem could not be reproduced, no repair needed. Diagnosis was code: immobilizer key malfunction. No further issues. 
Aug 2021

110000 mi
Requested diagnosis of occasional brief "slipping" sensation in transmission while driving - momentary increase in rpm accompanied by short "chirp" sound. Was not reproduced during service visit, still occurs occasionally (not every drive). 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Mar 2016 - Sep 2017
Dec 2016

3000 mi
There were several interior rattles (particularly the defroster strip against the windshield) and one exterior rattle (the engine under pan). 
Subaru Outback in Maine, United States
Jan 2016 - Nov 2018
Sep 2017

12000 mi

US $110
The battery needed to be replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Colorado, United States
Aug 2015 - Oct 2021
Nov 2017

26000 mi

US $130
Car required a jump start twice in the last 2 months. Dealer said that there was nothing wrong and wouldn't address it under warranty. Owner purchased new battery at his own expense. Subaru OEM batteries are junk 
Mar 2019

45000 mi

US $150
Broken lumbar adjustment. Internal part of drivers seat needed to be replaced 
Subaru Outback in Missouri, United States
Nov 2015 - Oct 2021
Aug 2017

28000 mi
Reset 
Subaru Outback in Arizona, United States
Mar 2016 - Jun 2022
Dec 2017

16000 mi
popping noise from suspension when turning. Manufacturer had TSB and repair kit. 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Sep 2015 - Jul 2022
Apr 2016

9500 mi
Rattling wind noise at the passenger side door especially evident during crosswinds. Resolved by a TSB where updated rubber trim was installed. 
Subaru Outback in Pennsylvania, United States
Dec 2015 - Jun 2022
Jan 2017

US $400
severe misalignment, likely due to manufacturing defect. Tires had to be replaced after on 12000 miles. 
Feb 2018

32000 mi
Rear wheel bearing replaced due to failure. (warranty replacement) 
Apr 2022

86000 mi

US $250
replace front brake pads 
Subaru Outback in New York, United States
Nov 2015 - Aug 2017
Feb 2017

8000 mi

US $138
Eyesight calibration Replace cracked windshield System locking up then re booting several times while driving. 
Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2015 - Oct 2017
Aug 2016

6680 mi
Electric motor to raise tailgate was making clunking noises. 
Subaru Outback in Missouri, United States
Sep 2015 - Jun 2022
Nov 2016

27200 mi
Battery when dead after one year of ownership. Took 2 trips to the dealer for the them to figure it out. First time, they had to charge it. Had to drop car off the day after so they could investigate. Battery had a bad cell. 
Sep 2018

67000 mi

US $134
Battery was worn out, would no longer start, had to get jump started. Replaced the battery right away. 
Oct 2021

121000 mi

US $680
One of the radiator fans was dislodged and melted into the fan assembly. Both fans and fan assembly were replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Oklahoma, United States
Dec 2015 - Mar 2016
Jan 2016 when driving in crosswinds the noise was like gravel and leaves hitting the windows. dealer performed TSB 12-176-14R. The noise is better but still occurs. Left side outside mirrors reflection is wavy and distorted. Dealer replaced the glass in the mirror assembly, Its better but not by much. 
Subaru Outback in Pennsylvania, United States
Jul 2015 - Sep 2019
May 2016

13000 mi
nav screen failing (partial display, software related) 
Jul 2017

26000 mi
Defective wheel bearing, right rear. 
Jan 2018

35000 mi
Loud starter, replaced. Radio replaced 

Return to top

2016 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Subaru Outback in California, United States
Mar 2016 - Feb 2022
Feb 2022

61592 mi

US $300
Car was not starting consistently and needed to be driven for 30+ minutes to ensure it would start again after being driven. Battery was replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Kentucky, United States
Jul 2016 - Jun 2018
Oct 2017

23000 mi
Mechanic cracked oil pan while doing oil change. R/R oil pan 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Jan 2021 - Jun 2022
Feb 2022

55000 mi

US $80
Car would not start after just a few days idle in cold weather. Couldn’t find anything causing the drain, replaced battery with MAT type battery, only charged difference from previous battery they had replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Michigan, United States
Jan 2016 - Jun 2018
Aug 2017

25000 mi
The SIM card that stores the maps for the NAV system was stuck in the radio unit. Unit had to be replaced (under warranty). 
Subaru Outback in Washington, United States
Sep 2015 - Oct 2019
Oct 2017

15000 mi

US $250
Passenger window relay replaced under warranty. Shop charged for labor. I assume they had 2-3 people working in it sine it took approximately one hour 
Subaru Outback in Maryland, United States
Sep 2015 - Mar 2018
Feb 2018

30000 mi

US $245
Poor acceleration and gas mileage. Mechanic cleaned fuel injectors. Also aligned wheels to correct poor tire wear GPS and Information Screen needed rebooting several times during a long trip. The reboot was accomplished by stopping in a safe area, turning off the engine and then restarting engine. This usually resulted in getting information systems back in working order. On one occasion, the car would not start again, resulting in need to call Subaru company. Repair person came to get car restarted, but since this recurring problem had been a frequent source of consternation, we traded the car 
Mar 2018

33000 mi

US $25
Car would not start Subaru company sent help. Jump started car. Need battery and alternator. Traded car instead. 
Subaru Outback in New York, United States
Apr 2016 - Jan 2022
Nov 2021

40000 mi

US $1200
full brake job, front and rear 
Jan 2022

45000 mi

US $125
replace battery 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Jul 2015 - Jun 2022
May 2018

14000 mi
Passenger front window control on driver side did not work. 
Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2017 - Sep 2023
Apr 2020

24000 mi
Battery died in a parking lot--repaired under warranty 
Mar 2022

37000 mi

US $300
pads and rotors (rear) replaced battery died 
Oct 2022

45000 mi
Passenger window was acting erratically. Dealer replaced the slide mechanism under extended warranty. 
Subaru Outback in Texas, United States
Oct 2020 - Jun 2022
Nov 2021

92200 mi

US $120
Front brakes squealing; replaced pads and rotors for both front wheels. 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Dec 2015 - Jun 2022
Jan 2022

67000 mi

US $500
Sun roof came off track. The track assembly needed to be replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2016 - Nov 2018
Oct 2018

30380 mi
battery not holding charge. Original battery too small. Put in larger battery under warranty 
Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2016 - Jun 2018
Sep 2017

16120 mi
Blind Spot Sensors stopped working. Replaced under warranty. 
Subaru Outback in Texas, United States
Nov 2015 - Jan 2022
Oct 2021

118000 mi

US $350
Replaced front brakes including pads and turn rotors 
Subaru Outback in Arkansas, United States
Dec 2016 - Jan 2019
Jul 2018

32000 mi
Oil pan leak- replaced at no cost 
Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States
Jul 2015 - Jun 2022
Jul 2021

98000 mi

US $100
wheel bearing rear 
Subaru Outback in Illinois, United States
Jan 2018 - Feb 2021
Mar 2018

23000 mi
Bad rear wheel bearing 
Subaru Outback in Georgia, United States
Sep 2015 - Dec 2018
Mar 2017

12000 mi
Replaced noisy wheel bearings on both front wheels. 
Subaru Outback in Missouri, United States
Mar 2016 - Jun 2022
Jun 2016

3000 mi
Roof racks had gaps where they contact the roof. Subaru had issues a TSB for this problem and the dealer replaced them under warranty. 
Jul 2016

3300 mi
Audio/nav screen freeze, become unresponsive until vehicle is restarted. Dealer applied update to audio system per TSB. 
Apr 2017

8958 mi
Replaced roof rack due to warping and gapping of trim. 
Mar 2018

16000 mi
Infotainment system not responding to inputs at times. Software update to infotainment system. 
Subaru Outback in Georgia, United States
Mar 2016 - Jun 2018
Oct 2016

8300 mi
audio amp stopped working, replaced, stopped working, replaced, stopped worked. Decided to replace head unit. 
Subaru Outback in Massachusetts, United States
Nov 2015 - Dec 2021
Dec 2016

14000 mi
Noise coming from wheels 
Subaru Outback in North Carolina, United States
May 2016 - Jun 2018
Dec 2016

10000 mi
Tire Pressure Monitor light came on. Outside temps had dropped to mid 30's F, I think. Checked four tires and they were only about two psi low. Checked the spare tire and it was 10 psi low. Pumped up all tires. Drove to dealer 
Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2016 - Jan 2022
Jan 2017

9800 mi
The front passenger seat belt was overly sensitive and would lock up too easily. Subaru diagnosed it as a defective seatbelt assembly. Replace under warranty at no cost. 
Subaru Outback in Florida, United States
Dec 2015 - Jun 2016
Jan 2016 Gas cap wouldn't open. Have to push button while a 2nd person pried open cap. They loosened spring. Now it usually works but occasionally still won't open. 
Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States
Jul 2015 - Aug 2016
Feb 2016

9000 mi
Cam phase sensor replace under warranty. Took about 2 hours total. 
Subaru Outback in Florida, United States
Aug 2015 - Feb 2018
May 2016

9000 mi
Finish rubbed off on steering wheel bezel. New bezel was ordered and installed. 
May 2017

23800 mi

US $125
Original battery died 
Jun 2017

24000 mi
Recall for sensor Electric liftgate replacement motor 
Nov 2017

31000 mi
Driver side rear bearings needed replacement 
Jan 2018

31000 mi
Complete transmission failure. Could smell rubber burning while driving, clunking noises during turns, erratic rpms, dashboard lights came on, almost all of them. Car remains at the dealership service department. Successful repair remains to be seen. New transmission had to be ordered. 
Feb 2018

32000 mi
After returning from the January transmission replacement, the car just never drove the same. When performing a left or right U-turn the front wheels would shudder on acceleration. We lost confidence that it would ever drive as it should, so decided to trade the car in. 
Subaru Outback in Alberta, Canada
Aug 2015 - Jun 2022
Dec 2016

8060 mi
Battery was dead after car not used for 5 weeks. Battery would not accept a charge. Towed to selling dealer at their request,for their "required" 4-hr diagnosis procedure. Battery replaced late the next day. 
Mar 2018

15500 mi
Engine takes long time to reach normal operating temperature (~20 minutes of city driving when outside temperature is -10 Celcius). This was second trip for same problem. Dealer says everything is normal, no repair was performed. I'm not satisfied. Cold engine uses more fuel. Winter consumption is over 11 l/100km. Summer, consumption is about 8.5 l/100 km. 
Subaru Outback in Illinois, United States
Apr 2016 - Jan 2022
Aug 2016

6300 mi
Squeaking drivers seat. Uncomfortably aggressive lumbar support. 
Subaru Outback in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2016 - Apr 2017
Jan 2017 Right rear passenger heated seat. 
Subaru Outback in Illinois, United States
Jun 2016 - Jun 2017
Mar 2016

12000 mi
nav./radio 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2022
Jun 2017

14000 mi
Brake dust accumulated on rear brake pads. Complained about a creaking noise from the rear end of the car, when stopping or about to release brake. 
Mar 2019

26213 mi
Life gate motor replacement 
Subaru Outback in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2016 - Oct 2020
Sep 2017

37000 mi
Condensate line clogged Line was cleared 
Apr 2019

77000 mi

US $200
Front pads 
Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States
Jul 2015 - Dec 2017
Jul 2016

8200 mi
Both front axles were replaced to correct a drive line shudder while accelerating from a stop. 
Sep 2016

9000 mi
Front speakers drop at times. Problem under investigation. 
Dec 2016

11000 mi
Faulty audio unit replaced. 
Nov 2017

18000 mi
Engine was replaced with new short block to solve internal noise. 
Subaru Outback in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2016 - Jun 2017
May 2017

29000 mi
Seat frame on drivers side needed to be replaced. 
Subaru Outback in Oregon, United States
Apr 2016 - Aug 2018
Apr 2017

13000 mi
Defective switch for power window. It just started working again after a few weeks, know another Subaru owner with the same experience... 
Subaru Outback in Kansas, United States
Dec 2015 - Mar 2018
May 2017

27000 mi
Replace Tires before FL trip 
Subaru Outback in California, United States
Jun 2017 - Jan 2019
Aug 2017

36000 mi
Replaced defective roof rack, which was warping. Passenger window would regularly roll down on its own. Inspected and replaced guide channels for window, which acted as resistance and caused window to not roll up properly. 
Dec 2017

47750 mi
Trunk/hatch fails to close fully, regularly. Dealer could not replicate, but lubed and checked parts. 
Jun 2018

57600 mi
Hydraulic struts on tailgate found to be defective. Symptoms were rattling at speed and inconsistent tailgate operation. Replaced under Subaru extended warranty. 
Sep 2018

63000 mi

US $100
Front control arms and tie-rod ends were failing, replaced under extended warranty. 

Return to top

2016 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Subaru Outback in Ontario, Canada
May 2016 - Dec 2017
Mar 2017

13640 mi
Oil drain plug boss was leaking oil. A new oil pan, sealant and oil were replaced 
Apr 2017

13640 mi
Wheel Alignment. The car had always steered to the passenger side and I noticed what I thought was abnormal tire wear and reported it. The Subaru service advisor said they would check it, but they did not. I did not argue since I have access to a relatively new Hunter Alignment system at my local Mazda dealer---I checked the alignment and found both front toe adjustment in the red and the drivers side rear was really in the red, so it was causing the car to steer into the curb. All three were adjusted to specification. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

2016 Subaru Outback Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2016 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.