⌘K
Home›Subaru›Legacy/Outback›2016
Subaru · Midsize car

2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback

Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
47 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls3 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA789
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg
20172016
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Legacy AWD, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 789 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*
Legacy AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl263529$2,150
Outback AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253228$2,250
Legacy AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl202823$2,700
Outback AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl202722$2,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36406, 36434, 36407, 36435.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback 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 (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

WUX-09
46 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskIn the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.FixSubaru 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V910000reported Dec 19, 2019Subaru of America, Inc.
!critical

Steering

WTD-65
Do not drive48,819 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskThe loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.FixSubaru 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 are advised not to drive their vehicles.
NHTSA campaign 16V292000reported May 11, 2016Subaru of America, Inc.
!critical

Power Train

WQV-57
3,251 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskIf 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.FixSubaru 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V794000reported Nov 24, 2015Subaru of America, Inc.
!critical

Power Train

WQU-56
2,893 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskIf the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.FixSubaru 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V502000reported Aug 10, 2015Subaru of America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
789complaints filed

31 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 16 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 10 · 2016: 67 · 2017: 47 · 2018: 58 · 2019: 86 · 2020: 121 · 2021: 198 · 2022: 81 · 2023: 43 · 2024: 29 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 20

Most-cited components

Electrical System361
Unspecified165
Visibility/Wiper100
Power Train58
Engine53
Steering40

What owners describe

“The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated crashing a small tree causing the contact to reverse the vehicle. When placed in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage d…”Apr 22, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“I was driving home from work when the windshield cracked from the bottom of the passenger side right by the windshield wiper and now has spiraled up”Mar 7, 2022 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“Hello! I have a 2016 Subaru Legacy and have been experiencing issues with battery drain over the last 2 years. I have replaced the battery multiple times, the computer modular, and even the alternator with no solution. My safety is at risk as my wife and i both drive this vehicle and have a toddler. The persistent unce…”Jan 21, 2022 · 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%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Legacy/Outback model years

D

2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback

4 recalls · 1,036 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