2016 Subaru Outback Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“My 2016 Subaru Outback all of sudden had warning lights such as: brake, ABS, and stability traction control popped up on the dashboard when the car was in park ans when I was driving down the road and will not go away. It has made my steering wheel really hard to turn.”
NHTSA complaint #11343247, filed 2020-08, 75,495 miles“I just picked up and drove home. The driver mirror always detected - every time. The passenger side would not always detect , maybe missing 20-25%,even some large trucks, I did bring back to dealer twice but they said can not duplicate the problem. That made me nervous in that the technology might lead to an accident ,now the car was 3200 miles and not work at all when I drove from my house to work this morning from renton to redmond on 405 with average 50 mile per hours”
NHTSA complaint #10794654, filed 2015-11, 10 miles“Problem: 360 cca batteries installed in new cars are not enough and they cause problems. My first indication was a year ago when I went to the store, was in there 10-15 minutes, and when I came out the car did not start. A friend came 2 hours later to jump it but tried it first and it started right up. Second problem was on a trip to dc in november '18. Nor'easter came through and we got stuck on the interstate in the mountains for a few hours. Car was stopped, not running. Went to get dinner then to car to go on again. Would not start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11180603, filed 2019-02, 20,000 miles“Driving on highway in 18f weather with light snow and previously plowed road. No issues driving around 50-60 MPH until passing under a highway overpass. The car turned into the other lane and then corrected itself. This kept on happening at almost every overpass we went under. Slowing down reduced the degree of veering but we kept experiencing the wobble effect as we crossed under each overpass. Almost like the traction control system was slow in responding . Took to the dealer but they reported that they could not find any issues with the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11064456, filed 2018-01, 19,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 3 | 0% |
| 2018 | 4 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Outback
309 complaintsOther or unknown
124 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
91 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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