2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 360 of 789 complaints (46%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 669 in 2015 to 789 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2016 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–3,100 | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–27 | 22–29 | 22–29 | 22–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–24 / 24–32 | 20–26 / 27–35 | 20–26 / 27–35 | 20–25 / 27–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 330–444 | 302–398 | 302–398 | 311–398 | |
| Complaints filed | 261 | 669 | 789 | 1,036 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 35 | 31 | 42 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 8 | 3 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 27 | 16 | 31 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Electrical: 360 of 789 NHTSA complaints (46%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates it 22–29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 302 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 319 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 398 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 63 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 58 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 360 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 31 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 40 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 45 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 29 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 114 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 166 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V910000 · Dec 20, 2019
Defect: 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: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 16V292000 · May 11, 2016
Defect: 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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 15V794000 · Nov 24, 2015
Defect: 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; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 15V502000 · Aug 10, 2015
Defect: 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.