2016 Subaru Outback: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2016 Subaru Outback

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2016 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Transmission & drivetrainFire risk

  If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

  Details 15V502000

  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.

  Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

• Transmission & drivetrainFire risk

  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.

  Details 15V794000

  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.

  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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

• Airbags

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

  Details 19V910000

  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.

  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.

• Steering

  The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 16V292000

  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.

  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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

2016 Subaru Outback safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

• Desiccated air bag inflator rupture since Sep 2021

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Warranty extension: This letter provides information regarding the warranty extension for the Telematics Data Communications Module (DCM).
• Battery: Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
• Glass: In response to this increase, soa is extending the original warranty on applicable factory-installed windshields to 5 years / unlimited miles.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2016 Subaru Outback safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

642 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

What a 2016 Subaru Outback is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

From new to now

New, a 2016 Subaru Outback started at about $24,995. At a typical 120,000 miles today it trades in for about $7,500 — roughly 70% less.

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line. “New” is the base price (cheapest version) as published, give or take destination fees; higher trims cost more.

Other Subaru Outback years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024