2016 Subaru Legacy power train problems

What owners report

• “There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019. The transmission of my Subaru started making noise half…”

  filed Sep 8, 2023

• “Vehicle had significant amount of oil pooled in the battery case holder back approximately Jan 2022 or earlier. Contacted Subaru of Las Vegas and they offered to clean the vehicle believing it was a careless oil change. Next oil change Subaru said I had a minor oil leak. Took it to an outside…”

  filed Aug 2, 2023

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Related recalls

• Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from…
  Campaign 15V794000 · Nov 24, 2015
• Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke
  Campaign 15V502000 · Aug 10, 2015

Related service bulletins

• This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

  16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 20, 2026

Power Train problems in other Legacy years

Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Subaru Legacy