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2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crosstrek years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at t…

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On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergency brake. Only luck prevented a serious, perhaps fatal accident. It was also below freezing in Ohio so I had to sit in the frigid temperatures until a tow truck arrived. After being towed to two separate dealerships, the Subaru dealer believes this was caused by a faulty hybrid battery, alternator, or both. An inspection is available by request. The problem did flag multiple error codes (confirmed by the dealer) but it is very frightening that there was absolutely NO warning and I feel unsafe driving this vehicle, even after it will be repaired. Next time, myself or others, may not be so fortunate. The alternator is being recalled in 2017+ Subaru Crosstrek for this very issue, but not the 2016 (my vehicle).

NHTSA ODI #11446983

65,000 miles · Dec 12, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER AND GETTING CLOSE TO THE POINT OF STALLING BUT NEVER STALLED. IT WOULD PERIODICALLY NOT SWITCH GEARS AS WELL. SEEMS LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. APPARENTLY I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL PUT OUT EARLIER FOR THIS ISSUE. SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET…

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THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER AND GETTING CLOSE TO THE POINT OF STALLING BUT NEVER STALLED. IT WOULD PERIODICALLY NOT SWITCH GEARS AS WELL. SEEMS LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. APPARENTLY I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL PUT OUT EARLIER FOR THIS ISSUE. SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ODI #11288735

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2019
Service Brakes

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT SUBARU DEALERS NOT RESPONDING TO A RECALL IN WHAT I WOULD CALL A TIMELY MANNER. I CANNOT TELL WHERE ON YOUR WEBSITE TO SUBMIT THIS. IT IS VERY CONFUSING. IT SAYS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT OF THIS TYPE, BUT DOESN'T TELL WHERE. I GOT A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY. T…

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT SUBARU DEALERS NOT RESPONDING TO A RECALL IN WHAT I WOULD CALL A TIMELY MANNER. I CANNOT TELL WHERE ON YOUR WEBSITE TO SUBMIT THIS. IT IS VERY CONFUSING. IT SAYS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT OF THIS TYPE, BUT DOESN'T TELL WHERE. I GOT A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD SEE ME IN A WEEK. THAT SEEMS UNREASONABLE CONSIDERING THE NATURE OF THE RECALL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU, AND IN YOUR CALL-IN SYSTEM WHICH SEEMED TO PROVIDE NOT HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11205801

36,000 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Service Brakes

HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES REPLACES ON VEHICLE AT 36,000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES SHOULD WEAR OUT BEFORE REAR BRAKES. ROTORS WERE RUSTED OUT. ALSO THE DOWNHILL ALERT LIGHT WOULD COME ON RANDOMLY ON FLAT SURFACES WHICH CAUSES REAR BRAKES TO ENGAGE. BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS SPORADIC, DEALER WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11197144

5,450 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Service Brakes

WAS STANDING IN THE LINE OF OTHER CARS ON THE STOP SIGN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, BRAKE PEDAL LOST IT'S HEIGHT AND DEPRESSED BY ITSELF, CAUSING MY FOOT TO SLIP FROM BRAKE TO DRIVE PEDAL AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED A DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND A CAR IN FRONT OF MINE. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10894419

Official recalls

1

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 28, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.