Model year record

2016 Subaru Outback

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 823 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V910000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
46
Reported to NHTSA
2019-12-19
Owners notified
2020-02-03

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V292000

Steering: column

Component
Steering: column
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
48,819
Reported to NHTSA
2016-05-11
Owners notified
2016-05-13

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Safety risk

The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V794000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component
Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
3,251
Reported to NHTSA
2015-11-24
Owners notified
2015-12-10

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Safety risk

If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V502000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
2,893
Reported to NHTSA
2015-08-10
Owners notified
2015-08-28

Defect description

Subaru 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 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Safety risk

If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system30940,000 mi
Unknown or other13335,800 mi
Visibility/wiper8535,000 mi
Engine6540,000 mi
Power train4435,000 mi
Steering278,000 mi
Vehicle speed control242,300 mi
Service brakes2111,100 mi
Structure: body1922,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system147,200 mi
Air bags114,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)519,000 mi
Exterior lighting51,000 mi
Seat belts520,000 mi
Visibility: windshield540,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition423,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking45,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection4
Engine and engine cooling3
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Wheels3500 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking2
Electrical system: adas: autonomous/self driving2
Electrical system: horn250,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2207,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2171,000 mi
Lane departure: warning2
Back over prevention: warnings144,343 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery170,238 mi
Equipment: other: labels180,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance110,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1107,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift150,017 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Seat belts: rear/other120,000 mi
Seats1
Suspension160 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal138,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear114,500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls15,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly131,156 mi

The 2015 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2017 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.