2016 Subaru Impreza Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Impreza years
- More complaints than other years 13th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Impreza. That ranks 13th out of 32 Impreza model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (19 complaints, 25%), typically at around 38,000 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 2 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
_Auto_Zuerich_2023_1X7A1263.jpg){kind=link}
- 75owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 7complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Subaru Impreza 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 19 | 25% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 14 | 19% | 34,900 | — | — |
| Power Train | 13 | 17% | 19,219 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 11% | 28,817 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 11% | 24,400 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 8% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 5 | 7% | 23,745 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 5% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 5% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 5% | 2,300 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 4% | 29,800 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 3% | 66,265 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 3% | 2,510 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 23,745 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 23,745 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Subaru Impreza 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.
I contacted Subaru in Mentor Oh at adventure subaru under TSB 19V065000 and was told to take it in to get looked at, my issue when I purchased the car at 67k miles i found that the car had a loud clunky sound while steering and going over bumps. After seeing the dealer and the stated the issue was…
Hello, I just purchase this vehicle from a dealership, 615 auto sales. After purchasing the vehicle I decided to go and get the recall done that was never done to the vehicle at the repair shop they did the recall but then ask me where did I purchase this vehicle from then I told them. The repair…
While driving a multi lane road with traffic going same direction in front of me, if one or more cars begin to slow for a left or right turn, the auto braking feature begins to slow and will try to stop my car. Problem is that the car in front of me turning isn't in my lane. I have a clear lane…
The hood latch system failed and flew open while driving on the highway smashing the windshield. I was unable to see driving, glass shattered everywhere. The car was serviced three weeks prior and there was no notation of an issue with the hood latch. The hood would not latch after the incident…
The seat foam has degraded and exposed the metal frame through the seat cover on the driver side front seat. It is not safe to drive with a metal frame being exposed. A service bulletin (12-232-18 dated 2/6/2018) indicates there is an issue with the seat construction that can lead to this…
Other Subaru Impreza years
← 2015 Impreza · 2017 Impreza →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Impreza | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 Impreza | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Impreza | 32 | 2 |
| 2023 Impreza | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 Impreza | 14 | 1 |
| 2021 Impreza | 14 | 2 |
| 2020 Impreza | 85 | 1 |
| 2019 Impreza | 194 | 5 |
| 2018 Impreza | 151 | 5 |
| 2017 Impreza | 125 | 7 |
| 2016 | 75 | 1 |
| 2015 Impreza | 77 | 2 |
| 2014 Impreza | 108 | 3 |
| 2013 Impreza | 250 | 4 |
| 2012 Impreza | 243 | 6 |
| 2011 Impreza | 58 | 14 |
| 2010 Impreza | 46 | 15 |
| 2009 Impreza | 104 | 14 |
| 2008 Impreza | 176 | 14 |
| 2007 Impreza | 68 | 9 |
| 2006 Impreza | 56 | 10 |
| 2005 Impreza | 75 | 6 |
| 2004 Impreza | 96 | 8 |
| 2003 Impreza | 62 | 6 |
| 2002 Impreza | 292 | 6 |
| 2001 Impreza | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 Impreza | 41 | 0 |
| 1999 Impreza | 22 | 0 |
| 1998 Impreza | 30 | 0 |
| 1997 Impreza | 30 | 0 |
| 1996 Impreza | 20 | 0 |
| 1995 Impreza | 46 | 1 |
See all Subaru Impreza problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.
Similar Subaru models
Embed this 2016 Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza?
Owners most often report unknown or other, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 19 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Subaru Impreza a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Impreza model years, the 2016 has 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.