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2016 Subaru Outback

What 2016 Subaru Outback owners report most

Electrical system faults make up the largest share of owner complaints, with wiring damage and sensor failures being the most commonly described issues. Visibility and wiper malfunctions account for the next most-reported category, followed by engine behavior concerns and powertrain incidents. Across all categories, a portion of reports involve crashes or fires, indicating that some complaints go beyond minor inconvenience.

Most reported areas

Electrical System safety 48%
Owners report wiring bundle failures affecting fog lights and oil level sensors, with some attributing the damage to animals chewing through the wiring while the vehicle was parked. · 3 crash
Visibility/Wiper safety 13%
Owners report problems with the wiper system discovered during routine washing, with the driver-side wiper being noted as the area where issues first became apparent. · 1 crash
Engine safety 8%
Owners of the larger engine variant describe repeated RPM surges immediately after a cold start when the transmission is placed in gear with the brakes applied. · 2 fire · 2 crash · 5 injured
Power Train safety 7%
Owners describe unexpected powertrain behavior occurring while accelerating from a stop in a parking lot, including during low-speed turning and uphill movement. · 1 fire · 2 crash
Steering safety 4%
24 reports (4%) · 3 crash · 1 injured

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 637 complaints

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General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only — not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Team AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.