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2016 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

Gas
Small Station Wagons
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA75
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
20172016

The 2016 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport is sold in the U.S. as a gas wagon with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Impreza 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 75 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*
Impreza AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl283631$2,000
Impreza Wagon AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl283631$2,000
Impreza Sport AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl273530$2,100
Impreza AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl253328$2,250
Impreza Wagon AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl253328$2,250
Impreza Sport AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl243327$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36820, 36828, 36830, 36819, 36827, 36829.

Factory warranty running out?

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

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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
75complaints filed

7 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 16 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Unspecified19
Electrical System14
Power Train13
Air Bags10
Vehicle Speed Control8
Service Brakes6

What owners describe

“We keep on having to replace our headlights. We just got one replaced 5 months ago and it’s out again. This will be the fourth time in three years. No one can figure out why the headlights keep burning out.”Nov 18, 2023 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“Engine light came on. Checked it, the failure was the transmission solenoid. It reported that a failure was about to occur. Brought it into the Subaru dealership because the will not sell any transmission parts to repair shops in the Phoenix area. I am not sure if I would have had a bigger problem, or not had I not tak…”Sep 5, 2023 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The variable fan speed control for the cabin air melted. The dial could no longer be moved and the assembly, once removed, had parts that were melted. Subaru was not interested. Cost me $1200 to get it fixed. Unfortunately, I cannot locate any pictures.”Sep 5, 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
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Impreza/Outback Sport model years

F

2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

7 recalls · 125 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.

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