2016 Subaru Crosstrek electrical system problems
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“A/C Control Head and connector burned on both ends. Dealer service center stated it was a significant safety/fire hazard if we had not immediately taken in to be checked. No warning, no fuses out. Only indication something was wrong is a/c turned on but only on 1,2 and 4. Then, same day, only on 4…”
filed Nov 5, 2025
“I have a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Unfortunately I have had a couple of issues. The main thing being the horn. The location of the problem is affecting my air bag, AND my rear window defroster. I don’t know if Subaru has a faulty clockspring and relays, that malfunction after a certain amount of time…”
filed Jul 11, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 20, 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 13, 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
Article Locator · Other · issued Aug 5, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Crosstrek years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Crosstrek | 5 | 12% |
| 2024 Crosstrek | 8 | 7% |
| 2023 Crosstrek | 6 | 18% |
| 2022 Crosstrek | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 16 | 14% |
| 2020 Crosstrek | 11 | 16% |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 53 | 19% |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 32 | 16% |
| 2017 Crosstrek | 17 | 18% |
| 2013 Crosstrek | 5 | 19% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.