2016 Subaru Outback Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 7%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,021miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 7% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,021 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I regularly cannot remove key from ignition while in park. The ignition does not seem to recognize the vehicle is in park, so I have to restart car, shift do drive, reshift to park and try to remove key multiple times. This has been happening consistently and is worst when parked on a hill.”
NHTSA complaint #11258063, filed 2019-09, 35,000 miles“The automatic transmission does not engage often causing a jerking motion of the car which is undiagnosed for the past 3 years. Subaru extended the transmission warranty for one year. I want it fixed. My wife and I have complained since the car was new (2016 model)”
NHTSA complaint #11175786, filed 2019-02, 100 miles“2.12 february 2021, vehicle milage approaching 42,000. Traveling from mazama wa to seattle via wa hwy 20, us 97 and I-90, traveled +/- 200 miles. Temperature ranges from 10f to 20f. Traveling west on I-90 +/-50 MPH, lanes clear, snow in between lanes. New michelin tires on all 4 wheels. Holding the speed constant following 18-wheel rig. Subaru started wobbling as if one of the tires was going flat. Tried accelerating and slowing to determine if this was front or back tire. Determined it must be a rear tire. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396483, filed 2021-02, 42,000 miles“Complete draining of battery just sitting there for no reason... We see this is an enormous problem with outbacks, and we have one with great problems leaving us stranded !”
NHTSA complaint #11416687, filed 2021-05, 15,000 miles“I had a major issue with this vehicle on june 24. We were driving back from our family vacation when I was passing a semi truck on a two lane road the vehicle suddenly lost power to the wheels and would not accelerate. As I stepped on the gas the engine revved up but the vehicle was not accelerating. I thought it slipped out of gear. I put it in neutral then back into drive and still had the same problem. I put my flashers on to alert the truck that I was having issues. I pulled onto the shoulder and he passed me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123268, filed 2018-08, 31,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V794000Nov 24, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback…Covers: Subaru Outback 2016, Legacy 2016
- 15V502000Aug 10, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July…Covers: Subaru Outback 2015–2016, Legacy 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 6% |
| 2022 | 18 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 48 | 5% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% |
| 2013 | 60 | 20% |
| 2012 | 108 | 37% |
| 2011 | 216 | 33% |
| 2010 | 94 | 26% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 17 | 6% |
| 2004 | 10 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 14% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% |
| 1999 | 29 | 26% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Outback
309 complaintsOther or unknown
124 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
91 complaintsEngine
53 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 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