Subaru · Crosstrek · 2016
2016 Subaru Crosstrek
1
Recall
131
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall and 131 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (28 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is unknown or other with 28 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 131 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are unknown or other (28), electrical system (23), power train (11).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 131
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 19V149000February 28, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Owner Complaints
131 totalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Nov 30, 2025
Within 24 hours of purchase, the exhaust pipe became detached underneath the vehicle and exhaust fumes and odor were entering the cabin while driving. This created a potential carbon monoxide exposure risk to me and passengers. Subaru inspected the vehicle and confirmed the exhau...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 20, 2025
A/C Control Head and connector burned on both ends. Dealer service center stated it was a significant safety/fire hazard if we had not immediately taken in to be checked. No warning, no fuses out. Only indication something was wrong is a/c turned on but only on 1,2 and 4. Then, s...
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LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Mar 23, 2025
Hood latch failed causing hood to fly open, smashing and breaking my windshield.
STEERING
Feb 10, 2025
Full electrical power steering failure
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 10, 2024
The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS and TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL lights came up. The valve body is still available for inspection. The car...
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STRUCTURE
Sep 25, 2024
How was your safety or the safety o others put at risk? On [XXX], I bought a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Unfortunately, I fell into the bad and abusive practice of buying a car as is since at no time did that used car dealer in Raleigh inform about the correction and rust that is un...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 13, 2024
Our 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (Automatic Transmission) has had intermittent issues with it losing power despite our foot being on the accelerator. It will typically reengage if we take our foot off the accelerator for a bit and then hit the gas again. However, it has become a more fr...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 15, 2024
Horn failed to sound. It sounds when hitting the lock button three times, but doesn’t when the steering wheel is pressed. This was identified during a near miss accident when we tried to alert another driving that was weaving into our lane and couldn’t.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 4, 2024
I have a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek 5 speed manual transmission and it only has 64000 on it. The clutch went out and I took it to the dealership to have the car worked on and hopefully repaired. At first they said it was the clutch and master cylinder. Then they called me back and sa...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 26, 2024
Since at least 2009 all Subaru models have a faulty air bag Clockspring. The horn doesn’t work due to this. Subaru knows about this issue. Even 2018 Forester is still using the faulty clock spring. We almost had an accident because the horn didn’t work. After researching the issu...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 131 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have?
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA has received 131 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek are unknown or other (28 reports), electrical system (23 reports), power train (11 reports).
Does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.