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2016 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

351 reports with mileage · 292 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 309 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

22 reports
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35,042 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I HAD EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER, POP, REVVING RPMS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE A SUDDEN POWER LOSS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD LIMITED STEERING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED BY THE TIME I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS THEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMP…

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I HAD EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER, POP, REVVING RPMS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE A SUDDEN POWER LOSS AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD LIMITED STEERING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED BY THE TIME I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS THEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. A TOWING SERVICE WAS CALLED TO BRING IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WITHIN AN HOUR TIME PERIOD THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THIS UNFORTUNATELY WAS LATE AT NIGHTTIME, MAKING THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE VERY MINIMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEMS OF THE CAR. THE SYSTEM WAS UPDATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE REVVING ENGINE, SHUDDERING, POWER LOSS AND STALLING THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE INABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11115595

350 miles · Jul 13, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THERE WAS A LONG HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A SURGE OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS. I HAD THE SALES MAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT FOR 1 WEEK - NEITHER TIMES DID THIS ISSUE REPEAT ITSELF. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ANY …

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AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THERE WAS A LONG HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A SURGE OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS. I HAD THE SALES MAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT FOR 1 WEEK - NEITHER TIMES DID THIS ISSUE REPEAT ITSELF. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND RETURNED IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN BERLIN, CT.

NHTSA ODI #11111266

4,500 miles · Jun 8, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON STREET OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, CAR HAS APPARENTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE UNTIL PUT CAR INTO PARK AND THEN INTO DRIVE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND SAYS WITHOUT DUPLICATING PROBLEM, CANNOT…

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WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON STREET OR PULLING INTO INTERSECTION AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, CAR HAS APPARENTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE UNTIL PUT CAR INTO PARK AND THEN INTO DRIVE. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND SAYS WITHOUT DUPLICATING PROBLEM, CANNOT FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE CAN EASILY BE REAR ENDED OR HIT ON SIDE IN INTERSECTION. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE DO NOT KNOW WHEN PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR.

NHTSA ODI #11100504

24,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

SUDDEN ACCELERATION: THIS SERIOUS UNSAFE CONDITION RELATES TO MY 2016 OUTBACK LIMITED 2.5L PURCHASED ON 2/29/2016 IN TAMPA FLORIDA. THE EXACT SAME UNSAFE CONDITION HAS HAPPENED TWICE; FIRST IN OCTOBER 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 8800 MILES, AND SECOND IN DECEMBER 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: WHIL…

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SUDDEN ACCELERATION: THIS SERIOUS UNSAFE CONDITION RELATES TO MY 2016 OUTBACK LIMITED 2.5L PURCHASED ON 2/29/2016 IN TAMPA FLORIDA. THE EXACT SAME UNSAFE CONDITION HAS HAPPENED TWICE; FIRST IN OCTOBER 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 8800 MILES, AND SECOND IN DECEMBER 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CAR'S ENGINE RPM ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO BREAK HARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. I MOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED AT HIGH RPM SO I MOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO REVERSE, THEN TO NEUTRAL, THEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR OFF SINCE THE ENGINE WAS STILL AT A HIGH RPM. A NOTICE APPEARED IN MY ODOMETER AREA TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, WHICH I DID. I THEN RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN. NOTE: I DID NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSH THE BREAK AND THE ACCELERATOR TOGETHER WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS SITUATION. I AM FORTUNATE NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF ME EITHER TIME. I HOPE NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED, BUT IT IS LIKELY PROPERTY DAMAGE HAS RESULTED. PLEASE DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. I AM TAKING MY CAR FOR A 24,000 MILE SERVICE ON 1/3/2017 AND WILL DOCUMENT THIS WITH THE DEALER (MASTRO SUBARU) AT THAT TIME. I SUSPECT THIS IS A COMPUTER GLITCH, AND A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT. I ALSO SUSPECT OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS CAN HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE IF THESE COMPUTERS AND PROGRAMMING ALL COME FROM THE SAME THIRD PARTY.

NHTSA ODI #11058042

7,500 miles · Jul 10, 2017
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY WARNING SHOWED INOPERABLE ALONG WITH LANE DEPARTURE AND FRONT END COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING LESS THAN 3 MINUTES AFTER OVER 24 . PULLED OVER CALLED DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO WALK ME THROUGH RESET. UNSUCCESSFUL NO AVAILABILITY FOR SERVICE SO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT 3 DAYS LATER. CAR W…

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EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY WARNING SHOWED INOPERABLE ALONG WITH LANE DEPARTURE AND FRONT END COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING LESS THAN 3 MINUTES AFTER OVER 24 . PULLED OVER CALLED DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO WALK ME THROUGH RESET. UNSUCCESSFUL NO AVAILABILITY FOR SERVICE SO SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT 3 DAYS LATER. CAR WARNING LIGHTS CLEARED ON THEIR OWN. SHOWED ADVISOR EMAIL FROM AUTO MESS. FROM SUBARU INDICATING WARNING LIGHT WAS AN ISSUE. WAS TOLD CODE WOULD BE CHECKED BUT SUBARU WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHEN SOME CARS WERE OVERHEATED. DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED TO CLEAR THE CODE AND SEND PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY. NO CODES REGISTERED AT ALL IN THE SYSTEM AND WHEN I LET THEM KNOW THAT CAR WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT OVERHEATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE SUBARU KNOWS THAT WHEN CARS OVERHEAT IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS. NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT THE GREATER CONCERN IS THAT THEIR PREMISE OF WHEN THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING IS INACCURATE AT LEAST IN OUR CAR'S CASE AND IT DID NOT APPEAR, DUE TO THE REPETITION OF THE COMPANY CONTENTION THAT OVERHEATING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE NOR WERE THEY WILLING TO ENTERTAIN ANY OTHER SCENARIO THAN THAT WHICH SUBARU ALREADY DECIDED. SPOKE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO 7/10/17 CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO STATED NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES BUT WOULD LOOK IN TO IT. BY THE END OF DAY 7.13.17.

NHTSA ODI #11004021

4,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ UPDATED 10/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10994003

9,000 miles · Nov 17, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TWO INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED THE FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING AND STARTED TO BREAK FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ME. ONCE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT TOO CLOSE TO REAR END ME. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 2 P.M. IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMME…

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THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TWO INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED THE FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING AND STARTED TO BREAK FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ME. ONCE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT TOO CLOSE TO REAR END ME. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 2 P.M. IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER WITH THE SUN BEHIND THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL WORK TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND ASKED THEM TO PULL ANY RELEVANT DATA FOR THE TWO INCIDENTS. BY THEN, THE SYSTEM CLEARED THOSE TWO EVENTS. THE DEALER SAID I SHOULD PURCHASE A VIDEO CAMERA AND RUN IT IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING TO CAPTURE ANY FALSE ALARMS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM TROUBLESHOOT IT AS ACCORDING TO THEM THE SYSTEM DOES NOT CAPTURE ANY VIDEO/IMAGE DATA WHEN IT RECORDS AN EVENT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS. SUBARU HAS CAMERAS IN THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND FLASH MEMORY TO STORE DATA IN - STORING AN IMAGE SNAPSHOT IS NOT OVERLY STORAGE INTENSIVE, AND YET I AM SUPPOSED TO INVEST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN AN INDEPENDENT VIDEO CAMERA TO HELP SUBARU DEBUG THEIR SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED NOT USING EYESIGHT ON SUNNY DAYS WHERE THE CAMERA COULD BE BLINDED BY THE SUN. HELLO - I LIVE IN NEVADA, IT'S SUNNY HERE OVER 300 DAYS PER YEAR. THIS WOULD MAKE THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM PRACTICALLY USELESS AND I'LL LOSE CRUISE CONTROL. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN IT'S TOO SUNNY FOR THE SYSTEM THAT IT WILL MALFUNCTION?

NHTSA ODI #10926585

1,100 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY IN REVERSE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE COMING TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NO FAULT CODES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

NHTSA ODI #10904945

250 miles · Jul 16, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASICALLY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES "EYE SIGHT" AND ENHANCED SAFETY SYSTEM.I.E. CRUISE THAT AUTOMATICALLY KEEPS YOU A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU AND STOPS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT STOPS - TROUBLE IS YOU ARE GOING ALONG AND THERE IS A LINE OF CARS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT - THE CAR DOES NOT…

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WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASICALLY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES "EYE SIGHT" AND ENHANCED SAFETY SYSTEM.I.E. CRUISE THAT AUTOMATICALLY KEEPS YOU A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU AND STOPS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT STOPS - TROUBLE IS YOU ARE GOING ALONG AND THERE IS A LINE OF CARS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT - THE CAR DOES NOT ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO STOP AND CERTAINLY DOES NOT KEEP THE "4 CAR DISTANCE" UNTIL YOU GET SCARED AND BRAKE - NOT GOING TO CRASH TO SEE IF IT WILL ACTUALLY STOP.

NHTSA ODI #10885207

1,400 miles · Jun 24, 2016
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

NHTSA ODI #10876341

Official recalls

4

19V910000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Dec 19, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.

16V292000 · Steering:column

May 11, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

15V794000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Nov 24, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

15V502000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 10, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

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

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

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