2016 Subaru Outback Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 124about this part
- Share
- 19%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 124 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 19% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Battery runs down often. I've had the battery checked multiple times and no problem with the alternator either. I know it will run down during loading or unloading that lasts more than 30 minutes, so I manage that situation. But it is starting to run down more often while parked. This has left me stranded multiple times over the last 6 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11321323, filed 2020-04, 50,000 miles“Sometimes the key won't come out of the ignition when I try to turn the car off (even though the car is in park). Based on what I've read, this is a defect with a sensor not recognizing that the car is in park. I think there should be a recall for this particular defect. I believe the service bulletin that addresses this defect is TSB number 16-112-18r.”
NHTSA complaint #11339582, filed 2020-07, 30,000 miles“About once a week for at least the past year, the starlink screen freezes in either a blank screen or the screen giving choices between cd, fm, etc. Music will play but none of the buttons will work. I have discovered that if I hold down the on/off button for about 15 seconds or so, it will beep and go back to normal. It happens when the vehicle is first turned on and is stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11265248, filed 2019-09, 65,000 miles“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“The key keeps getting stuck in ignition when I park the car and try to take it off. I put the car in park and the key doesn't want to come out. This has happened to me several times. It's like the car doesn't realize that it's in park already. Not sure if the problem with the shifter assy. This poses a safety problem if one is at the wrong place at the wrong time and forced to leave key in ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #11093444, filed 2018-05, 33,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
- 11034249Jun 12, 2026This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
- 11033069May 18, 2026This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11032034Apr 30, 2026This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.
- 11032039Apr 24, 2026This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11030557Mar 26, 2026This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11027981Jan 12, 2026This announcement has been created to address difficulties with software updates on Subaru Select Monitors with DST-010 interface firmware has been updated.
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 22% |
| 2024 | 29 | 28% |
| 2023 | 16 | 18% |
| 2022 | 87 | 19% |
| 2021 | 66 | 22% |
| 2020 | 153 | 17% |
| 2019 | 205 | 20% |
| 2018 | 163 | 20% |
| 2017 | 178 | 19% |
| 2016 | 124 | 19% |
| 2015 | 109 | 21% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 25 | 8% |
| 2012 | 24 | 8% |
| 2011 | 39 | 6% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 10 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Outback
309 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 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 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