Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 133 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V149000 Brake Lights May Not Illuminate NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 37 complaints
- Unknown or Other 34 complaints
- Power Train 18 complaints
- Engine 15 complaints
- Steering 13 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
Of the 133 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 133 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek receives an average reliability rating, driven by modest recall issues related to brake light switches and a variety of owner complaints, notably with the electrical system and powertrain. While not exceptional, problems are generally manageable and repair costs are moderate.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| brake light switch | 50,000–70,000 miles | $80–$150 | common |
| CVT transmission | 70,000–90,000 miles | $1,800–$2,500 | occasional |
| engine mounts | 60,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 6,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 3 years
- Transmission fluid replacement at 30,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 90,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unresponsive brake lights
- Rough CVT operation
- Excessive engine vibration
- Delayed ignition start
- Unusual steering sounds
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.