NHTSA lists 643 complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback, 22 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SUBARU OUTBACK.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 292 | 45.4% | 0.97 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 171 | 26.6% | 0.77 |
|---|
| loss of control | 71 | 11.0% | 0.87 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 55 | 8.6% | 0.48 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 15 | 2.3% | 0.58 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 12 | 1.9% | 0.90 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 10 | 1.6% | 0.85 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 7 | 1.1% | 0.82 |
|---|
| unclear | 6 | 0.9% | 0.76 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 4 | 0.6% | 0.94 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 357 | 55.5% | 0.79 |
|---|
| moderate | 250 | 38.9% | 0.80 |
|---|
| high | 28 | 4.4% | 0.85 |
|---|
| none | 6 | 0.9% | 0.57 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 0.3% | 0.84 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 643 tagged complaints of 643 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2019-12-19. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-05-11. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels. (excerpt)
Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners ar (excerpt)
Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-11-24. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-08-10. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
478 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 203 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 193 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 42 |
|---|
| STEERING | 38 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 33 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 30 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 26 |
|---|
11037943
Date: 2026-10-05. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
11037938
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
11037940
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
11037930
Date: 2026-09-15. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
11037927
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11037929
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036807
Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036810
Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036796
Date: 2026-08-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
11036794
Date: 2026-08-05. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
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