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Air bagsPart report

2016 Subaru Crosstrek Air bags Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
3%of 132 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, 3% of the 132 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Unfortunately I have had a couple of issues. The main thing being the horn. The location of the problem is affecting my air bag, AND my rear window defroster. I don’t know if Subaru has a faulty clockspring and relays, that malfunction after a certain amount of time. But for everyone’s safety, it would seem that the Subaru Corporation would implement a recall. As a result of the horn not working, I was involved in a fender bender accident, I was unable to alert a driver that they were merging into my lane of traffic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11601238, filed 2024-07

“Car caught fire from what seemed to be an electrical issue. Car became engulfed in flames within a few seconds. Fire department was called to extinguish the fire. I was lucky myself to make it out in time. The fire became so big, so quickly, I was concerned for the safety of the surrounding property. Luckily, no one was injured and no property damage took place. Car was inspected and totaled by insurance. The headlights were constantly needing to be changed. Otherwise the car was fine. I had just replaced the battery and just a few hours later the fire happened. …”

NHTSA complaint #11517135, filed 2023-04

“On 3/30 my steering column started to make a grinding sound when I turned my steering wheel over 90 degrees to make a turn. On 3/31 the airbag light went on and I made an appointment to bring it in to get looked at by my nearest Subaru dealership (Tacoma Subaru). I was told the light meant the airbags would not deploy if I got into a car accident so I didn’t drive my car until I needed to pick up grocery order on 4/2. On 4/2 I was making a slow right hand turn into the parking lot and my airbag deployed as I turned and hit/burned my forearm through a heavy sweatshirt. …”

NHTSA complaint #11515282, filed 2023-04

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202549%
202443%
202326%
202122%
201921%
201811%
201733%
201643%
201516%
201314%

Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Electrical system
37 complaints
Other or unknown
34 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Engine
14 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology