2016 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Crosstrek years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. That ranks 3rd out of 15 Crosstrek model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (37 complaints, 28%), typically at around 40,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
_Auto_Zuerich_2023_1X7A0895.jpg){kind=link}
- 132owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 | 28% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 34 | 26% | 39,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 14% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 14 | 11% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 13 | 10% | 32,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 6% | 73,441 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 5% | 31,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 4% | 7,001 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 4% | 23,200 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | 45,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2% | 16,250 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 2% | 350 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 124,677 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 72,885 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Subaru Crosstrek recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While driving my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (VIN: [XXX]) at approximately 70,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic cooling system rupture on the roadway without any prior dashboard warning light. A radiator hose burst, resulting in rapid, complete loss of engine coolant and steam…
Within 24 hours of purchase, the exhaust pipe became detached underneath the vehicle and exhaust fumes and odor were entering the cabin while driving. This created a potential carbon monoxide exposure risk to me and passengers. Subaru inspected the vehicle and confirmed the exhaust issue existed…
A/C Control Head and connector burned on both ends. Dealer service center stated it was a significant safety/fire hazard if we had not immediately taken in to be checked. No warning, no fuses out. Only indication something was wrong is a/c turned on but only on 1,2 and 4. Then, same day, only on 4…
Hood latch failed causing hood to fly open, smashing and breaking my windshield.
The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS and TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL lights came up. The valve body is still available for inspection. The car was taken to the…
Other Subaru Crosstrek years
← 2015 Crosstrek · 2017 Crosstrek →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Crosstrek | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 Crosstrek | 44 | 0 |
| 2024 Crosstrek | 120 | 2 |
| 2023 Crosstrek | 34 | 0 |
| 2022 Crosstrek | 31 | 0 |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 115 | 1 |
| 2020 Crosstrek | 69 | 0 |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 285 | 7 |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 195 | 5 |
| 2017 Crosstrek | 94 | 1 |
| 2016 | 132 | 1 |
| 2015 Crosstrek | 17 | 1 |
| 2014 Crosstrek | 16 | 1 |
| 2013 Crosstrek | 26 | 1 |
| 2012 Crosstrek | 2 | 0 |
See all Subaru Crosstrek problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.
Similar Subaru models
Embed this 2016 Subaru Crosstrek badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Owners most often report electrical system, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 37 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Crosstrek model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.