⌘K
Home›Subaru›Crosstrek›2016
Subaru · Compact SUV

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

HybridGas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA134
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 134 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
XV Crosstrek Hybrid AWDHybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl + 101V Ni-MH293331$2,000
XV Crosstrek AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl263329$2,150
XV Crosstrek AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl233026$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36833, 36832, 36831.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Exterior Lighting

WUE-90
1,303,530 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskBrake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.FixSubaru 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V149000reported Feb 28, 2019Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
134complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 14 · 2019: 32 · 2020: 25 · 2021: 16 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 5

Most-cited components

Electrical System38
Unspecified35
Power Train19
Steering14
Engine14
Fuel/Propulsion System8

What owners describe

“I own a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with only 37,000 miles. There is a problem with my battery being drained after not driving the car for several days. I have had to call for a jump start 3 times, Aug. 8, 2023, Sept. 5, 2023 and Nov. 14, 2023, each time after returning from vacation. I replaced the battery when it happened …”Dec 8, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“While at posted highway speeds through twisting roads, the vehicle developed a wheel vibration. Stopped to inspect the wheels, found right rear wheel missing 4 of 5 lug bolts. Lug bolts were sheared off. Vehicle has 81,000 miles, tires rotated 7 months prior to this event.”Oct 8, 2023 · Wheels · NHTSA owner report
“Car caught fire from what seemed to be an electrical issue. Car became engulfed in flames within a few seconds. Fire department was called to extinguish the fire. I was lucky myself to make it out in time. The fire became so big, so quickly, I was concerned for the safety of the surrounding property. Luckily, no one wa…”Apr 14, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Crosstrek model years

B

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

2 recalls · 8 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

0 recalls · 43 complaints

B

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

2 recalls · 115 complaints

A

2023 Subaru Crosstrek

0 recalls · 34 complaints

A

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 31 complaints

B

2021 Subaru Crosstrek

2 recalls · 116 complaints

A

2020 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 68 complaints

F

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

8 recalls · 284 complaints

D

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

5 recalls · 194 complaints

A

2017 Subaru Crosstrek

1 recalls · 94 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API