2016 Subaru Outback engine problems
Owners reported engine problems in 56 complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback, 7% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 56 7% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 41,000 miles 20 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 20 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 41,000 miles, and 65% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries.
What owners wrote
I was in a parking lot at a near-complete stop. I needed to nose the car about 18 inches to move it all the way into the spot. I lightly touched the accelerator to inch the car forward, and it shot forward as if some outside force had stomped on the accelerator. The car jumped the sidewalk and slammed into the wall of the building. The car inner body bent and the car is totaled. The airbags did not inflate.
In 6 months, I got more than 10 times of low level engine oil light on. First time, it was on jan. 2020, it was 3,000 miles from the last oil change. So I changed the engine oil with new oil. After 2 months, I got light on again. I refilled some oil then got light on after one month. I refilled several times but the light is on later. There is dropped oil on the floor at all. I couldn't find where the oil is gone.
Other problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Outback
- Electrical system 310 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 91 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 42 complaints
- Steering 24 complaints
- Cruise control 22 complaints
- Brakes 19 complaints
- Body & structure 19 complaints