Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Subaru Outback
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 643 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 #19V910000 Air Bag Control Module Incompatible With Air Bag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V292000 Loss of Steering Ability NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V794000 Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V502000 Transmission Oil Leak NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 309 complaints
- Unknown or Other 124 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 83 complaints
- Engine 53 complaints
- Power Train 45 complaints
- Steering 24 complaints
Of the 643 complaints on file, 22 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 643 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
With 642 owner complaints and 4 recalls, the 2016 Subaru Outback shows average reliability. Most issues are related to the electrical system, steering, and driveline, but overall evidence is thin for major systemic failures.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | common |
| Steering column | Unknown | $400–$1,400 | occasional |
| Drive shaft | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | rare |
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 changes
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Tire rotations and alignments
- Cooling system checks
- Battery and electrical testing
- Transmission fluid service
- Cabin and air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel play
- Electrical malfunctions
- Driveline vibrations
- Unexpected airbag warnings
- Unusual whining noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Subaru Outback at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.