2016 Subaru WRX Problems
Compared with other Subaru WRX years
Typical for this model
51/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Subaru WRX year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 13 of its 31 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (10 complaints, median 46,900 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine (8) and other or unknown (6). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 78% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 406 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 172 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 31 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Subaru WRX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 51 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system10 32%
- Engine8 26%
- Other or unknown6 19%
- Brakes2 6.5%
- Fuel system2 6.5%
- Steering2 6.5%
- Exterior lighting1 3.2%
- Tires1 3.2%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Passenger side headlights went out. I kept getting headlight disabled message on dash, with condensation building up on the passenger headlight, but the headlight kept working so I gave it a week and now passenger side is completely out. I took it to Subaru and they said they will replace the bulb. After taking my car in to replace the bulb, they realized my car requires a full replacement of the headlight. It's only been two years and it costs $840 for the headlight and $1000+ with labor just to fix a low beam. I have extended warranty complete package and it wasn't covered. …”
NHTSA complaint #11081454, filed 2018-03, 46,900 milesEngine: “The turbo charger intake duct cracked on my car, this is the new one that replaced my recalled one. But clearly was not a solution. I posted this on a form and a large amount of people commented stating they had the same issue. Ranging from 15 WRX to 18 maybe even newer. Whatever they used to glue the air bypass connector to the turbo duct does not hold up. It cracked and completely separated from the part. This allowed dirty air to contaminate my turbo and engine. Possibly causing premature wear in the future. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395420, filed 2021-02, 78,000 milesOther or unknown: “I was driving my 2016 Subaru WRX down a main road at about 11pm. I was in 3rd gear going 30mph driving straight when the car suddenly came to a grinding halt. I did not apply the brakes and since I was already moving forward in 3rd, the clutch was not pressed. The engine was still on once the car stopped as if nothing had happened at all, and the car stopped still centered in the lane and facing the correct direction 1/4-1/2 a block from when it stopped itself while I was still driving it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10852591, filed 2016-03, 10,100 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My complaint pertains to my 2016 Subaru WRX clutch. The clutch stopped working after approximately 14,000 miles and 15 months of ownership. The dealership and Subaru of america have judged this to be regular user wear and tear and are not covering it under warranty. I was told by the service manager and the soa that this is not an unusual occurrence. The clutch failed without warning in december 2016 while I was traveling on the highway at about 60 MPH. I had put the vehicle in neutral while coasting down a hill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10945142, filed 2017-01, 14,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
78% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,200 and 46,900 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Subaru WRX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
| WRX AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Exterior lighting › Back up lights › SwitchCovers: Subaru WRX 2015–2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is…
- 16V162000Mar 21, 2016Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/superchargerCovers: Subaru WRX 2015–2016, Forester 2015–2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack…
- 15V366000Jun 12, 2015Forward collision avoidance › Crash imminent brakingCovers: Subaru WRX 2016, Outback 2015, Legacy 2015 +2 more
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to…
Recall details for the 2016 Subaru WRX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 406 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This 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 original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. This 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 original bulletin
Other model years of the Subaru WRX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 150 | 0 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 9 | — | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 25 | 19,800 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 13 | — | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 18 | 9,600 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2019 | 30 | 27,250 | 2 | — | 21 | 33 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2018 | 43 | 14,500 | 2 | — | 21 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2017 | 53 | 36,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 31 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 21 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 52 | 31,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 6 | 34,000 | 10 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 7 | 10,500 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 41 | 71,327 | 10 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 65 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2006 | 14 | 66,870 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 48,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 42 | 69,990 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 60 | 23,800 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 427 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Subaru WRX have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Subaru WRX is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 8.
Has the 2016 Subaru WRX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru WRX get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Subaru WRX (WRX, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Subaru WRX reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,200 and 46,900 miles; 78% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.