Subaru · Known Issues
2016 Subaru Outback Problems: 23 Known Issues
2016 model year · 7,140+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2016 model year · 7,140+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 7,140+ owner reports, the 2016 Subaru Outback has 23 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. The most commonly reported issue is Excessive Oil Consumption with 2,800 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $15 to $4,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 7,140+ owner reports, the 2016 Subaru Outback has 23 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Excessive Oil Consumption, CVT Transmission Shudder/Hesitation, Head Gasket Issues. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 23 known issues documented across 7,140+ owner reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Subaru Outback issues range from $0 to $4,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The FB25 2.5L engine is known for excessive oil consumption, sometimes using 1 quart every 1,000-2,000 miles. Subaru extended warranty coverage and offered piston ring replacement for affected vehicles. Most common on 2011-2014 models. Repairs typically run $0-$4,000. Severity: medium.
The Lineartronic CVT can develop shudder, hesitation, or jerky operation, especially during light acceleration at low speeds. Subaru has updated CVT software multiple times to address these concerns. Repairs typically run $0-$4,000. Severity: medium.
While the FB25 has improved head gasket reliability compared to older EJ engines, some vehicles still experience head gasket failures. External oil leaks and coolant leaks can develop, particularly at higher mileage. Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
+ 6 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The A/C compressor can fail, particularly on vehicles in hot climates with heavy A/C usage. Internal compressor failure can contaminate the A/C system with debris. Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: medium.
P0455 indicates a large (gross) EVAP leak — the system can't hold pressure/vacuum at all during the self-test. Across the Subaru lineup (Outback, Forester, Impreza, Crosstrek) the standout pattern is the purge control solenoid valve failing due to internal seal degradation, which… Repairs typically run $30-$700. Severity: medium.
P0016 means the ECM sees the Bank 1 (passenger-side) intake camshaft out of sync with the crankshaft. Subaru's variable valve timing (AVCS) is oil-pressure driven, so on the FB-series Outback (FB25/FB20) this code is highly sensitive to oil level and condition. The common Subaru-… Repairs typically run $70-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The forward-mounted A/C condenser and its connecting refrigerant lines are vulnerable to leaks - sometimes from road-debris/stone damage to the thin condenser, sometimes from a damaged line or failed O-ring at a hose connection. The system slowly loses refrigerant and cooling fad… Repairs typically run $500-$1,100. Severity: medium.
Like many modern automakers, Subaru switched to soy/plant-based wire insulation, and owners widely report that rodents (mice/rats) are attracted to and chew through the harnesses, causing warning lights, no-starts, sensor faults, and blown fuses. Documented Outback repair bills r… Repairs typically run $500-$3,500. Severity: medium.
Outbacks with a sunroof/moonroof commonly develop interior water leaks caused by clogged, kinked, or (on some 2020 Touring XT builds) factory-blocked sunroof drain tubes. Rather than draining out, water backs up in the sunroof frame and overflows into the headliner and down the A… Repairs typically run $150-$800. Severity: medium.
Owners report a speed-dependent whine/howl or turbine-like noise from the rear/undercarriage that turns out to be the rear differential or a driveline carrier bearing rather than a wheel bearing. The tell-tale difference: differential and driveshaft-related noise rises in pitch a… Repairs typically run $100-$3,000. Severity: medium.
The FB25 2.5L engine (2013+ Outback) has a widely reported oil leak from the cam carrier — the aluminum housing that holds the camshafts and functions as the valve cover on this engine. The RTV/gasket seal between the cam carrier and cylinder head degrades and weeps oil, which po… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,800. Severity: medium.
Owners across multiple Outback generations report premature wheel hub bearing failure, most commonly showing up between roughly 80,000 and 120,000 miles. The classic symptom is a low-pitched droning/humming or 'beehive' noise that begins around 45-55 mph and gets louder with spee… Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: medium.
On the Subaru boxer engine, Bank 2 is the driver's side (cylinders 2 and 4). P0430 sets when the driver-side rear (downstream) O2 sensor tracks the front sensor too closely, telling the ECM the catalytic converter is no longer scrubbing exhaust efficiently. On the Outback this mo… Repairs typically run $250-$2,500. Severity: medium.
2.5L Outbacks are prone to premature catalytic converter degradation that sets a P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) check-engine light, often well before 100,000 miles. On some 2015-2016 2.5L Legacy/Outback models the front exhaust pipe assembly (which houses the… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.
P0011 sets when the Bank 1 (passenger-side) intake camshaft is advanced beyond the ECM's commanded position — the AVCS phaser is stuck advanced or the ECM can't control it. On the Outback this is almost always oil-related: low or dirty engine oil, or the passenger-side intake oil… Repairs typically run $70-$450. Severity: medium.
The Starlink infotainment system can experience freezing, lag, and connectivity problems. Bluetooth pairing issues and touchscreen responsiveness problems are common complaints. Repairs typically run $0-$1,000. Severity: low.
The front suspension can develop clunking or squeaking noises, often from worn strut mounts, sway bar end links, or control arm bushings. This is common on vehicles with higher mileage or those driven on rough roads. Repairs typically run $150-$800. Severity: low.
Outbacks equipped with Eyesight can be prone to windshield cracking, possibly due to stress from the Eyesight camera mounting or windshield design. Replacement windshields require Eyesight camera recalibration. Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: low.
Numerous owners report paint peeling and clear-coat/base-coat delamination on later Outbacks, frequently on lighter colors such as Crystal White Pearl, with peeling appearing on the bumpers, behind the wheel wells, and on horizontal panels — sometimes flaking off in sheets after… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: low.
A very common owner complaint is that the Outback's rear brake pads and rotors wear out dramatically faster than the fronts — often gone by 20,000-40,000 miles while the fronts still have most of their life. Multiple owners report metal-on-metal rear pads and scored rotors at low… Repairs typically run $250-$650. Severity: low.