NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 Subaru WRX Recalls & Complaints
The 2016 Subaru WRX has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 31 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Subaru WRX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2016 Subaru WRX owner complaints
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru WRX, describing incidents dated December 8, 2015 to March 1, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 10 complaints
- Engine 8 complaints
- Unknown or Other 6 complaints
- Power Train 4 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 2 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Of the 31 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11611157 · Filed
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.
ODI #11574934 · Filed
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.
ODI #11521395 · Filed
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…
Inoperative Backup Lights and Rearview Image
NHTSA #22V522000 · Exterior Lighting — Back Up Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice
Reported July 21, 2022 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 59,934 vehicles
Repair completion: 61.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign WRE-22 · Owners notified September 16, 2022 · Vehicles built November 14, 2013 – October 21, 2021 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Turbocharger Intake Duct Crack may cause Stall
NHTSA #16V162000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice
Reported March 21, 2016 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 18,187 vehicles
Repair completion: 89.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign WTA-62 · Owners notified April 15, 2016 · Vehicles built April 13, 2015 – October 21, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Collision Mitigation Braking may not Function
NHTSA #15V366000 · Forward Collision Avoidance — Crash Imminent Braking · NHTSA notice
Reported June 12, 2015 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 71,710 vehicles
Repair completion: 94.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Subaru campaign WQS-54 · Owners notified July 20, 2015 · Vehicles built March 23, 2015 – March 23, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Subaru WRX model years
Check your 2016 Subaru WRX VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru WRX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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