2016 Subaru Outback Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seat belts of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles.
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.
“The center seatbelt in the back seat ( the one that comes down from the roof of the vehicle) has frayed and become torn three times in 20 months. The first repair was done dec 21, 2016, second was oct 27,2017 and the most recent was feb 13,2018. The belt system has been reported as replaced all three times, but it keeps occurring in the same place and manner each time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11075241, filed 2018-02, 20,000 miles“Incident occurred on Interstate 25 Northbound at approximately mm 190. My speed was approximately 70 mph. Weather was dry and about 70 degrees. I was in the next to left lane in 4 lanes of traffic. The moonroof on my 2016 Subaru Outback exploded violently sending glass outward into traffic. I had never heard of this phenomena so when I saw black material from the top of my car going into traffic I thought it was pieces of my roof rack. I pulled over to the shoulder to examine my car and saw a massive hole in the moonroof. …”
NHTSA complaint #11430039, filed 2021-08“My Outback lost AC/Heat and even after repair at an Outback dealership, it still goes out intermittently. My car battery seems to drain for no reason at all, without any consistency to the drainage of power either. I have it looked at, and the dealership said there isn’t a cause and there isn’t anything that can be done. Back rear door doesn’t lock and unlock with the key fob designation; sets off the alarm when we don’t pay attention to it. Hatch door only lifts about 14 inches upon designation. Has to be manually lifted the rest of the way. …”
NHTSA complaint #11426058, filed 2021-07“Passenger side front seatbelt locked up and became non-functional, unable to be used. This left our passenger without a safe or legal way to ride in the vehicle with all other seats being used. The part was replaced by the dealer under warranty”
NHTSA complaint #11424553, filed 2021-07Related service bulletins
- 10213193May 18, 2022This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10201027Aug 4, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10186363Jan 12, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10185083Dec 15, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10185082Dec 15, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 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 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 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