2016 Subaru WRX

Routine

Owners filed 31 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine8
110
Electrical System8
010
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train4
000
Steering2
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights › Switch22V522000
Filed Jul 21, 202259,934 vehiclesSubaru Of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk. Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger16V162000
Filed Mar 21, 201618,187 vehiclesSubaru Of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking15V366000
Filed Jun 12, 201571,710 vehiclesSubaru Of America, Inc.

Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Risk. If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 27, 2024AZ

The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 1, 2024FL

Driving and a loud explosion, sound, like a gunshot then a ton of pinging. The sunroof exploded and glass flew down my car and chipped a bunch of paint.

Power Train
Filed May 10, 2023PA

While driving, the clutch became stiff and unusable. Ultimately the car could not be shifted resulting in using a lower gear than normal to limp the car to safety. The car had to be towed to a mechanic. During the repair the mechanic identified that the cause of the failure was the clutch fork pivot ball punched through the stamped steel clutch fork. Looking online this seems to be a common failure since aftermarket re-designed parts are offered. I feel this is a manufacturer defect which resulted in the clutch failure and a 2500.00 repair. This car is only 7 years old with 67K miles on it. The clutch fork should not have failed catastrophically at this point in the car's life.

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2023NY

I PURCHASED A 2016 SUBARU WRX (PREMIUM) USED FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN ALBANY, NY WITH UNDER 26K MILES FOR APPROXIMATELY $25K IN 2018. ON A DRIVE IN DECEMBER 2022 I EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND/OR STUTTERING UNDER LOAD OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AND CAR BEGAN GETTING VERY HOT, AND CLOSE TO OVERHEATING, AND THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING LOUDLY. AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTARTING, THE KNOCKING (INTENSITY) WAS NOT AS NOTICEABLE AS THE INITIAL INCIDENT. INITIALLY I REPLACED ALL COIL OVER PLUGS, AS CYLINDER #4 INITIALLY WAS REPORTING A MISFIRE CODE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS APPEARED TO RELIEVE THE MISFIRE BRIEFLY, BUT THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED, THIS TIME WITH PISTON #3 REPORTING MISFIRES AND ALSO EXHIBITING SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE FAILED RINGLAND, WITH OIL SEEPING PAST RINGS (ON TO / IN SPARK PLUG) CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN VERY POORLY. PRESENTLY UPON STARTUP WHITE SMOKE COMES FROM EXHAUST OUT THE TAILPIPE AND THE ENGINE IS HESITATING AND/OR MISSING, RUNNING POORLY AND I FEEL IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY WITH THE DIMINISHED PERMORMANCE OR COMPLETE LACK OF ABILITY TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY LIKE A MOTOR VEHICLE SHOULD. I HAVE ENGAGED A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE ENGINE, BUT HAVE NOT YET PROCEEDED WITH INSPECTION/REPAIRS DUE TO THE CLASS ACTION LITIGATION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS: 73563. THIS CAR HAS AN FA20 ENGINE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 22, 2023OH

I have faulty rear lights and a faulty rear view camera. According to MotorSafety.org there is currently a recall for this exact issue for WRX’s from 2015-2021. https://www.motorsafety.org/subaru-recalls-wrx-cars-over-faulty-rear-lights-rearview-camera-issue/

Electrical System
Filed Dec 30, 2022NY

Recurring battery drain, which has happened before. subaru dealer replaced the battery for the same reason less than 2 years ago. now it needs it again. car is inoperable as is.

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2022NC

Started having issue with the engine making loud rattle noises and oil pressure was not consistent. Upon further investigating I removed the oil pan and removed the oil pickup. The oil pickup screen was full of RTV sealant causing the oil pickup to struggle with maintaining proper oil pressure and flow to the engine. I ended up having to change my timing belt tensioners because one went bad. Probably because of low oil pressure or RTV was sucked into oil galleys and caused it to malfunction. My car sounds a little better now but I believe I also have a light amount of rod knocking. If I kept driving the car, This could have led to catastrophic engine damage and caused my car to stall while traveling on public roads. I later researched if others have seen this issue and it appear to be a common issue in with Subaru and Toyota vehicles using the FA20DIT engine. These engine already have small enough rods, they don't need to be robbed of oil and cause engine damage because the manufacturer applied too much RTV sealant in assembly. There needs to be a recall on this.

Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2022UT

My power steering one day lost all fluid out of no where. I have this awful sound and go buy new power steering fluid. It’s continuing to leak. I joined a Subaru Wrx/STi group on Facebook and found that this is a reoccurring problem for many Subaru sti owners around the year I have. It sounds faulty and defective and sucks that the customer is stuck paying for these issues instead of Subaru fixing their reoccurring issue with many customers. I baby my car to the highest extent and the power steering should not have just gone out after I parked in my drive way. There is a massive stain now due to the leakage, which is fine. But it’s inconvenient knowing I’ll have to fork up hundreds to over a thousand to get this properly fixed instead of a DIY where it has to do with such an important compartment of the car.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2022CA

ABS, cruise control, and other driving assistance features are disabled while driving at night. I checked for recalls on Subaru WRXs and noticed a recall was issued for the same problems on 2011-2015 models. My vehicle is a 2016 model and demonstrates all the same failures observed from the recall of the 2011-2015 models.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 21, 2022PA

Several batteries that have died prematurely, last one only 2 months since last use. Vehicle has refused to start on several occasions, despite the battery being okay. Suspect issues with controller area network.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 2022MA

The battery on my 2016 Subaru WRX has drained - twice - while parked for a week or less. This has occurred before and after replacing the battery at the dealership. Both times the battery was recharged by AAA and driven for 30-45 minutes to bring the battery back to full charge.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2022MT

While driving in below zero temperatures I received a warning "Headlights Disabled" and my headlights were inoperable. I was able to use the high beams otherwise, complete darkness causing an immanent safety concern and potential for financial loss in terms of legality and ticketing. The failure remained in effect for approximately 10 minutes and then the warning disappeared and the light regained full operation. Upon googling, this is a common issue with other owners. Please note, I am in Canada and have provided a state/zip code of the nearest US location. Sorry if not allowed :)

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 2021UT

2016 WRX drains its battery while the vehicle is turned off. After 3 days of being outside in 20-40 degree Fahrenheit weather, the battery was completely flat and would not start. This has happened 2 winters in a row now.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 2, 202162,000 milesCA

VEHICLE DID NOT MEET INSPECTION / WHEEL ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEAR A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE DURING WHICH ATMOSPHERIC / AND NATURAL OCCOURANACE ELECTRIC DISTURBANCE CAUSED A ELECTRIC DISTURBANCE VEHICLE IS BEEN RECALLED HOMELESS AT THE TIME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE TURNED OVER TO DEALER SHIP FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IN STORAGE I BELIEVE ITS SAFETY / NOT COMPLIANT WITH NTSB FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IS NEEDED.

Engine
Filed Feb 9, 202178,000 milesKY

THE TURBO CHARGER INTAKE DUCT CRACKED ON MY CAR, THIS IS THE NEW ONE THAT REPLACED MY RECALLED ONE. BUT CLEARLY WAS NOT A SOLUTION. I POSTED THIS ON A FORM AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE COMMENTED STATING THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE. RANGING FROM 15 WRX TO 18 MAYBE EVEN NEWER. WHATEVER THEY USED TO GLUE THE AIR BYPASS CONNECTOR TO THE TURBO DUCT DOES NOT HOLD UP. IT CRACKED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE PART. THIS ALLOWED DIRTY AIR TO CONTAMINATE MY TURBO AND ENGINE. POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE THE CAR CAN COMPLETELY STALL IF IT FAILS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 14, 202097,000 milesWA

WINDSHIELD KEEPS GETTING CHIPPED AND CRACKED. ALREADY HAS GONE THROUGH ONE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. NOW THE SECOND ONE HAS TWO CHIPS ALREADY AND CAN PRETTY MUCH CRACK ANYTIME.

Engine
Filed May 28, 201940,000 milesMA

"TAKATA RECALL" TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS LACKING POWER AND HAD LOW MPG READINGS. FOUND A BOOST LEAK IN THE TOP INTER-COOLER AND EXPRESSED THAT ALL THE 2016 WRX THAT COME IN THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. FORUMS AND ONLINE POSTS VERIFIED THIS PROBLEM, THE CAR IS A 2016 SO ITS FAIRLY NEW THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 26, 201950,000 milesCA

RECALL CLUTCH CHANGE BRAKES ELECTRICAL AND EMISSIONS SEEM TO BE FAILING TUCSON, AZ SUBARU PALM SPRINGS ,CA SUBARU IN MOTION SYSTEMS SYSTEMS FAILURE

EngineCrashFire
Filed Nov 15, 201834,000 milesKY

FRONT END COLLISION VS DEER ON INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. 4-5 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE ALL WERE OUT OF THE CAR AT THE TIME THE FIRE STARTED.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 27, 201836,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) FOR THE FAILURES AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

20 of 31 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20252000Routine
202413000Routine
20238100Routine
202225110Routine
202113100Routine
202017100Routine
201930200Routine
201842210Routine
201753120Routine
2016 — this page31320Routine
201552310Routine
201461000Routine
201371100Routine
201221200Routine
201141100Routine
201011200Routine
2009411000Routine
200865710Routine
20070300Routine
200614400Routine
200519500Routine
200442501Fatalities reported
200360220Routine
2002427220Above average

Compare every WRX year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 21, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.