What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Typical pattern

5.5% of complaints about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (37 complaints), typically at 5.0 yr or about 40,000 miles.

Complaints
164
Median age at failure
4.7 yr
Median mileage
38,000 n=91
Crash / fire / tow
7.3% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
37 reports · 40,000 mi
5.0 yr
10.8%
Other
34 reports · 39,000 mi
4.8 yr
2.9%
Power train
18 reports · 40,000 mi
3.9 yr
5.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V149000 2019-02-28
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

In owners’ own words

Power train 384 mi 7 mo in service
THE LAG TIME ON THE CVT GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IS BEYOND ANNOYING IT IS DANGEROUS. IT TAKES 1-2 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE AND BECAUSE OF THIS LAPSE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE CAR WILL LURCH. FOR EXAMPLE, IF BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND TRAFFIC WARRANTS THAT YOU PULL BACK INTO THE SPACE IT CAN LEAD TO A POTENTIAL OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION.
Power train 38,000 mi 2.2 yr in service
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES. I SLOWED DOWN TO PAY A TOLL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED DURING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 17,000 MILES AND THIS TIME 38,000 MILES. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 HOURS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER.
Power train 40,000 mi 3.1 yr in service
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD [3RD] TIME AT 40K MILES. BEARING FAILURE APPEAR TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY.
Other 12,000 mi 10 mo in service
TWICE NOW MY CAR HAS GONE LIMP ON THE FREEWAY. IT DOESN'T SHUT DOWN BUT THE ACCELERATOR STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE TO COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT. WHEN I DO RESTART IT IT'S FINE. BOTH TIMES THE ENGINE DOESN'T EVEN REV WHEN I PRESS THE GAS; IT'S JUST UNRESPONSIVE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING EITHER. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 70 MPH AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN HOT; PROBABLY 88-90 DEGREES.

Other Crosstrek model years

2024202120202019201820172016

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