2016 Subaru Outback Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 2%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,200 miles. 3 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.
“When the car is started up on a cold morning it idles too fast and lurches dangerously when put into drive. I have to hold the car back with firm braking. I have had numerous close calls over the last four years that I have owned the car. The car is a 2016 Outback 3.6 r with a 6 cylinder engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11363155, filed 2020-10, 30,000 miles“After stopping at a stop sign on a city street, I tried to accelerate but there was a long hesitation followed by a surge of power. This happened on 2 occasions. I had the sales man drive the vehicle and also the service manager drove it for 1 week - neither times did this issue repeat itself. The dealership did not have any knowledge of this type of problem. I refused to drive this vehicle and returned it to the Subaru dealer in berlin, ct.”
NHTSA complaint #11111266, filed 2018-07, 350 miles“I descend a steep, crooked country road to reach my house and lock my transmission in second gear to avoid having to apply brakes. In low idle, the vehicle speed is well controlled but when the fuel control shifts to high idle the engine speed increases from 2000 to about 3500 RPM with a corresponding increase in vehicle speed which requires rapid, sharp brake application. During the summer months this is only mildly irritating but when the roads are covered with ice and snow this winter sudden brake application will become very dangerous because of the sharp curves and steep drop-offs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10906222, filed 2016-09, 1,500 miles“Less than 1 week later, 2nd occurrence: while driving on interstate, all warning lights came on and vehicle suddenly lost forward movement. Vehicle was running but not engaging enough to propel vehicle. Towed to dealer, dealer repaired pilot pin in transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10928154, filed 2016-11, 7,200 miles“On two occasions while driving on the interstate at 65-75 MPH with no warning the gas pedal stopped responding to inputs. While maneuvering the vehicle to the shoulder of the road through traffic the engine shutoff. On one occasion I was able to restart the vehicle and on the second occasion it would not restart. After towing the vehicle to a repair shop the vehicle started up and ran with no issues. No check engine lights were ever displayed. The battery was working fine and fully charged. The car is in perfect mechanical shape with all regular service performed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11164684, filed 2019-01, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027081Dec 8, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 32 | 3% |
| 2018 | 46 | 6% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 13 | 2% |
| 2015 | 18 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 16 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 7% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% |
| 2005 | 19 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 32 | 22% |
| 2001 | 32 | 19% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
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 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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