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2016 Subaru Impreza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Impreza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 56.

About this comparison →
75Owner complaints

Model-year median: 56

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
249
2013108
201477
201575
2016125
2017150
2018194
2019
Compare all Impreza years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
19Electrical System
14Power Train
13Air Bags
8Vehicle Speed Control
8
All reported categories
Service Brakes
6Steering
5Exterior Lighting
4Structure
4Visibility/wiper
4Engine
3Seats
3Suspension
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Seat Belts
2Forward Collision Avoidance
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 34 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

2 reports
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19 miles · Mar 1, 2016
Air BagsSeat Belts

WHEN MY WIFE SITS ON A 3 INCH FOAM CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SIT MORE COMFORTABLY (SHE IS 4'11' AND HAS HIP PROBLEMS); THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ONLY GOES INTO ON MODE INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPEN WHEN ENTERING THE CAR AND CONTINUES WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IN …

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WHEN MY WIFE SITS ON A 3 INCH FOAM CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SIT MORE COMFORTABLY (SHE IS 4'11' AND HAS HIP PROBLEMS); THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ONLY GOES INTO ON MODE INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPEN WHEN ENTERING THE CAR AND CONTINUES WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT, IF NOT NOTICE BE THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER. CORRECTIVE ACTION BELIEVE IT OR NOT INVOLVE.S BOUNCING UP AND DOWN ON THE SEAT. A SIDE EFFECT SEEMS TO BE, THAT WHEN THE SIGN IS IN OFF POSITION, THE SEAT BELTS LOCKUP AND CONSTRICT THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI #10839197

5,000 miles · Feb 7, 2016
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELTS LOCK OFTEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED AND PUT BACK ON. THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WILL BE FIRMLY SECURED TO THE SEAT WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT HAS CAUSED US MANY TIMES TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CORRECT THE BELT. THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE DRIVER CANNOT MOVE TO CHECK FOR ON…

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THE SEAT BELTS LOCK OFTEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED AND PUT BACK ON. THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WILL BE FIRMLY SECURED TO THE SEAT WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT HAS CAUSED US MANY TIMES TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CORRECT THE BELT. THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE DRIVER CANNOT MOVE TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ETC. THE DEALER CALLS THIS NORMAL OPERATION AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. ALSO, THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10824680

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.