2016 Subaru Outback Complaints

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 08/02/2026

UNKNOWN When pulling into a parking space at the [XXX] diner my 2016 OUTBACK suddenly accelerated while I was ready to shift from drive to park. It was as if I put the gas peddle to the floor. There was a car about 6feet in front of me which I hit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/25/2026

On 05/08/2026 the brakes failed while in a queue at a drive-up restaurant. The car was steered away to a flat part of the parking lot. After a restart the brakes returned to operation and the car was taken to the dealership where the brake line were flushed and the brake fluid replaced. On 05/25/2026 the brakes failed after backing out of an inclined parking space in a parking garage. The car came to a stop when it backed into a concrete wall. The car was towed to the dealer. The dealer inspected inspected the car and reported that the brakes were working as they should.

ENGINE — Filed 02/11/2026

My 2016 Outback 2.5L model experienced an exhaust noise and/or odor coming from cracks at the bellows section of the front exhaust pipe which includes the catalytic converter. It was diagnosed as leak occurring at the front exhaust pipe. Quoted repair for replacement part only is $2700 plus $1000 labor to repair. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Subaru Recall WUJ-95 with subject Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking was issued in 2020. My specific VIN was excluded from this recall but I have experienced the exact issue described in the recall. As a result of this situation and exhaust inhalation the car is not able to be driven, this cause breathing issues for me, my wife and our 9 month old baby.

VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 06/25/2024

Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family. Backed into another car with no warning.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/29/2023

As I was pulling slowly into a parking spot in a busy lot that serves a lot of small businesses, my Subaru suddenly accelerated forward, over the concrete parking bumper and raised sidewalk area, and into the side of the building. While I was uninjured and had no passengers in the vehicle, the car sustained damage to the apron and tire area on front passenger side of the car. The airbag did not inflate. Tiling on the exterior of the building was impacted, but not greatly damaged, and I had been able to avoid the plate glass entry to the business. A few customers were greatly alarmed by the Subaru's proximity to their lunch tables by the windows. I was able to put the vehicle into reverse and carefully move it off the sidewalk. I exited the car and went in to share my insurance information with the empathetic employees and manager of the business. I was able to drive my vehicle about two blocks to a larger lot, so that the towing company my husband contacted could access it, but not for several hours. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it remains until they are finished with it. The claims people seem to have reached the conclusion that since I was driving, I must be at fault in this accident. I immediately, and still, continue to think over that incident, trying to determine how parking carefully and without distraction could turn into such a collision. I believe that I am not to blame. In reading the reports that have been made to your agency on Subarus of this vintage, there are marked similarities to the narratives on sudden unintended acceleration caused by Subaru equipment faults. I have lost confidence in what has been my favorite car. I'm hoping that some clear path exists for me to drive it again without anxiety.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/19/2023

I bought this vehicle used. I was the 2nd owner. I purchased it on the evening of August 18, 2023. On the morning of August 19, 2023, I drove the vehicle for about 45 miles. I reached my destination, got out of the car, and saw what looked like either smoke or dust from under my car. I worried it might be overheating. A bystander told me the car was on fire. I walked forward to see flames coming from the front passenger side below the grill, possibly in the axle. The fire grew aggressively despite attempts to extinguish it. When the fire department arrived within 5 minutes the car was fully engulfed. The damage is so severe that it may be impossible to determine the source and cause of the fire. The dealer and my mechanic performed inspections on the vehicle before I bought it and found everything to be in good working condition.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 04/06/2023

At low rate of speed, while parking vehicle accelerated without warning and damaged 3 cars . This happened previously with separate family drivers without damage. This is a serious defect and could potentially cause serious injury or death. This was not driver error. the car lurched forward with absolutely no gas pedal involvement. The previous times it happened at a stoplight with enough room in front to hit the brake. Not this time.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/05/2023

I was in a parking lot at a near-complete stop. I needed to nose the car about 18 inches to move it all the way into the spot. I lightly touched the accelerator to inch the car forward, and it shot forward as if some outside force had stomped on the accelerator. The car jumped the sidewalk and slammed into the wall of the building. The car inner body bent and the car is totaled. The airbags did not inflate. The passenger in the passenger seat sustained a fractured sternum and two broken ribs from going into the seatbelt. The driver sustained a sore neck and dizziness.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/29/2022

This incident occurred on Friday July 29, 2022 @ 5pm. I was pulling into a parking space while my foot was on the brake I proceeded to put the car in park when the car suddenly lunged forward into the concrete patio of the Market/Store. I was in disbelief at what just happened. I would happily make my car available for inspection. I want to find out what is wrong with the car. I believe this could happen again and I am fearful for my life and the lives of others. I was so lucky that the table and chairs were roped off that evening for some reason. People could have been sitting or walking there at the time of this incident. This incident has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer or independent service center. I brought the car to the Subaru dealer for them to do a diagnostic test and any other things needed to give me some answers & repairs. I was told no issues were found. They also told me they would like to have my car for a week so they could drive it & do more test. I asked for a loaner and they said they could not do that. I can’t afford to rent a car for a week. And I feel they will come back to me with the same answer of not being able to find an issue. I have had this car for almost 3 years and I park by putting my foot on the brake and then shift into park. There was a malfunction! What it was I don’t know. But I do know something went very wrong with the vehicle. There was never any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to this failure.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 01/28/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was parking the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated forward going down a hill. The vines from the woods prevented the vehicle from going into a lake. The contact’s wife later received medical attention for an injury to her left leg. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it remained. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an investigator to remove the black box from the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that, through their investigation findings, the floor mat below the accelerator pedal and the EZ pass mounted on the front windshield caused the failure. The manufacturer provided the contact with a printout of the vehicle manual. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. The VIN was unavailable.

STEERING — Filed 04/10/2022

I was turning around a bend, going approximately 35mpg, when the wheels no longer were turning as if not responding to the direction of the wheel, almost like it was operating independently of the steering column. The automobile slammed into the curb on the left of the road, damaging the alignment.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 01/29/2022

My car spontaneously burst into flames after I parked it. I had left the car parked and locked in a parking lot next to a rental house and went in to prepare dinner. 20 minutes later my friends arrived at the scene and alerted us to the fact that my car was engulfed in flames. It seems that the fire originated in the engine somehow, but exactly what started it is unclear. There was no accident or collision, and no foul play. Security cameras in the area couldn't see much, but indicate that the vehicle burst into flames pretty much just after I had left it parked and locked.

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 09/26/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE HAD ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A TREE; HOWEVER, HIS WIFE WAS UNSURE IF ANY WARNING LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS NOT INJURED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V794000 (POWER TRAIN) WHERE IT WAS SERVICED BY NORTH END SUBARU(757 CHASE RD, LUNENBURG, MA 01462). THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,343.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/07/2021

UPON SLOWING DOWN & PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, TO PARK MY CAR IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS, MY VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, UP OVER THE SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED A 2ND TIME AS I TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE WALL OF THE BUILDING.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/11/2020

WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE PULLED IN FRONT OF LARGE F350 TRUCK, HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE. SHE WAS GOING 15 MPH, AND TRUCK WAS GOING 50-60 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. HER CAR ALSO HIT A SIGN AND TREE, CAVING IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. HER DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND SPENT 8 DAYS IN HOSPITAL. LOST PARTIAL DENTURES, ANOTHER TOOTH AND BENT HER IMPLANT WHEN HER FACE HIT STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAD ABOUT 150 STITCHES TO FACE AND HAS PERMANENT SCARING TO FACE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. SHE WAS WEARING SEAT BELT AND HAS BRUISES TO SHOW FOR IT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AIRBAG IS MADE BY TAKATA. COULD NOT FIND ANY OPEN RECALLS ON AIRBAG. INITIAL IMPACT WAS TO RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN FRONT OF HER 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK STRUCK TREE AND SIGN. AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/28/2019

WHILE TRYING TO COME OUT OF DRIVE WAY ONTO THE STREET, I TRIED TO STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 12/20/2016

I HAD AN ACCIDENT @ 5PM-ENTERING A BUSY ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY-HIT THE SIDE DOOR OF A CAR RACING LEFTTORIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. MY FAULT OF COURSE. I HEARD NO BEEP WARNING FROM THE SO-CALLED COLLISION MITIGATION SYSEM (?), NOR DID I FEEL ANY BRAKING. SUBSEQUENTLY I TESTED THIS FEATURE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHERE I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR FORWARD TOWARD MY LARGE GARAGE, I WOULD HAVE HIT THE GARAGE-NO BEEP-NO BRAKING. THEN, IN A SNOW STORM, I HAD TO BRAKE SOASTO NOT HIT A LARGE TRUCK SKIDDING IN FRONT OF ME. I MISSED HITTING HIM BY INCHES. AGAIN, I HEARD NO BEEP AND FELT NO BRAKING. DEALER TESTED THIS FEATURE ON MY CAR BY LETTING IT GO TOWARDS BRUSHES IN A CARWASH, I HEARD BEEP WARNING, BUT AGAIN FELT NO BRAKING. DEALER SAID SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. AND SO-I CONCLUDE THAT WHENEVER I HEAR ANY KIND OF WARNING BEEO, I SHOULD MANUALLY AND QUICKLY 'HIT THE BRAKES', NO MATTER WHAT. AFTER ALL, I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD FOR GOD'S SAKE. I AM NOT HAPPY.

STEERING — Filed 05/19/2017

I WAS TRAVELING ON I49 AT ~60 MPH, IN LIGHT RAIN, AND NON FREEZING TEMPERATURE. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WITH CRUISE CONTROL OFF. THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I WAS APPROACHING BRUSH CREEK BRIDGE AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STEADY AND STRAIGHT. THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT AND STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED TO GET AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND THE CAR WAS GOING SIDEWAYS. AS SOON AS THE CAR STARED TO DRIFT, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND TRIED TO REGAIN STEERING. WHEN SLIDING SIDEWAYS ON THE BRIDGE, I CUT THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS SLIDING. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR REGAINED SOME STEERING CAPABILITY AND OVERSTEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRIDGE, TRAVELING SIDEWAYS AGAINST A CEMENT BARRIER UNTIL STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AMOUNTING IN ~$10000 IN REPAIRS. THE CAR STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH IT WAS RAINING, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS RELATED TO ANY TRACTION LOSS AND THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS NOT ACTIVATED. I THINK THE EXISTING STEERING RECALL MAY HAVE IMPACTED MORE VECHICLES THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. I SUSPECT THAT THE STEERING IS DEFECTIVE AND THE EXISTING STERLING RECALL DID NOT CATCH ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. I ALSO FOUND IT SURPRISING THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYS, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A HIGH IMPACT CRASH. I HAD BRUISING IN MY STERNUM, KNEES, ELBOWS AND ALONG THE SEAT BELT PATH.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/24/2018

I HAD A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 24. WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION WHEN I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRUCK ON A TWO LANE ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER TO THE WHEELS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. I THOUGHT IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON TO ALERT THE TRUCK THAT I WAS HAVING ISSUES. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HE PASSED ME. I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER READ BETWEEN THE 3 AND 4 MARK WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TRYING TO SPEED UP. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED UP AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ONTO A TURNOUT AREA. THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT ASKED IF ANY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. NO LIGHTS OF ANY SORT CAME ON. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND OPENED MY DOOR AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY INSTRUCTED THE OTHER THREE (3) PASSENGERS TO IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FLAMES. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GET A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY TO CALL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE. UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN AND ENGULFED THE CAR. BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. WE WATCHED HELPLESSLY WHILE OUR CAR AND POSSESSIONS WENT UP IN SMOKE. WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND FILED A COMPLIANT. THEY TOOK THEIR TIME AND EVENTUALLY SENT THEIR QA TEAM TO INSPECT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY SENT US AN EMAIL STATING THEY COULD NOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS TOO INTENSE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW JUST TWO YEARS PRIOR AND IT ONLY HAD ABOUT 30K MILES AND HAD ALL THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/31/2018

BATTERY DIES IF CAR IS NOT DRIVEN WEEKLY. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE AND STEERING RACK ONCE.

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 05/29/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ UPDATED 10/13/2017*JS

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE — Filed 04/04/2017

HIT DEER WITH RIGHT FRONT FENDER AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A DRY, STRAIGHT HWY. IMPACT WAS MINOR, SHEET METAL DAMAGE ONLY,NO FLUID LOSS OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM DAMAGE BUT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY, MUCH SMOKE. SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEFLATE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO EXIT VEHICLE. AIRBAG IMPACT ON LEFT EAR HAS DAMAGED HEARING, PROBABLY PERMANENTLY. CLEARWATER COUNTY IDAHO SHERIFFS OFFICE CASE NUMBER P2017-00350.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/16/2017

THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM FAILED TO BRAKE THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/18/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED IN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/15/2016

THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AFFECTING TOP OF THE LINE SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 LIMITED/PREMIUM MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED IN NHTSA ID NUMBER:10881286. ISSUE: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A DRIVER TO INADVERTENTLY TURN OFF THE ENGINE (WE ARE ONLY HUMAN) USING THE START/STOP BUTTON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, PARK OR NEUTRAL. IF VEHICLE IS ON A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS ON IT'S OWN. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS RISK OF GRAVE BODILY HARM TO PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THE UNATTENDED MOVING VEHICLE. THIS ALREADY HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE, LUCKILY IT HAPPENED INSIDE MY GARAGE ON A VERY SLIGHT SLOPE AND MY CLOSED GARAGE DOOR STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VEHICLE, REMOVING THEIR SCHOOL BAGS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED TO THE GARAGE DOOR BY A 3500 LB VEHICLE. UNACCEPTABLE. I REPAIRED THE SLIGHT DAMAGE BODY WORK ON THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER BUT THAT IS IRRELEVANT COMPARED TO THE SAFETY RISK PRESENTED BY THIS "WORKS AS DESIGNED" BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. POSSIBLE WORKAROUND: 1. SUBARU NEEDS TO CHANGE THIS BEHAVIOR AND ELIMINATE THE RISK BY AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING THE ELECTRIC "PARK BRAKE" THAT IS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE, WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. 2. DISABLE ENGINE STOP UNTIL TRANSMISSION IS SET TO PARK. THE CURRENT AUDIBLE WARNING IS INSUFFICIENT. MY 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE DID NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SLOT UNTIL PARK LEVER WAS ENGAGED TO PREVENT THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR