2016 Subaru Outback fuel/propulsion system problems
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2016 Subaru Outback — 2% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My 2016 Subaru Outback CVT transmission has exhibited an intermittent jerking and grabbing sensation when accelerating from a stop, worse when cold, since at least February 2023. This is a known defect covered under Subaru warranty extension bulletin 16-115-18. February 2023 — An authorized Subaru…”
filed Mar 25, 2026
“The left front drive axel cracked while we were driving on an overpass connecting two highways. We didn’t hit or bump anything. The car just stopped, like the brakes were slammed on, except the brakes didn’t work. As we were on an incline, the car started rolling backwards, but fortunately the…”
filed Oct 21, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 Outback | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 Outback | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 Outback | 5 | 1% |
| 2021 Outback | 10 | 3% |
| 2020 Outback | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 Outback | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 Outback | 43 | 5% |
| 2017 Outback | 16 | 2% |
| 2015 Outback | 18 | 4% |
| 2014 Outback | 12 | 6% |
| 2013 Outback | 12 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Subaru Outback
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.