2016 Subaru Legacy Owner Complaints

While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine remained running. After stopping, the vehicle would not move forward and felt as if it was stuck in Park, but it could roll backward. This occurred without warning and created a dangerous highway situation

NHTSA ID

11754212

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

The factory touchscreen infotainment system is experiencing severe screen delamination (internal adhesive failure). This defect causes uncontrollable 'ghost touching,' where the screen registers phantom inputs. The system cycles through radio stations, changes audio sources, and changes navigation without driver input, causing an extreme, sudden driver distraction. Furthermore, the system frequently freezes and crashes, which completely disables the backup camera display. This prevents a clear view behind the vehicle and creates a severe safety hazard for pedestrians. The dealer confirmed the issue. Contacted Subaru of America and they are unwilling to assist at all with fixing the issue, leaving the customer to pay full price to replace the screen. Does not seem like a fair business practice.

NHTSA ID

11742852

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.

NHTSA ID

11741718

Incident

Jun 4, 2025

Battery continuously dies, likely due to a parasitic drain, and it is extremely hard-taking up to 15 to 20 minutes to open the car door using the the wierd key you slide out of the key fob. As a woman, it is very dangerous when my battery dies and I am in a dark parking lot and I can't even get inside the car and lock the door for safety. Been happening for years lastest time was today 02/17/2026. For some reason, the class action suit said I was not a class member for the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11718682

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car came to a stop.

NHTSA ID

11686981

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

Sometimes when starting from a stop or slowing down to make a turn the engine revs up like I was pushing the gas pedal. When this happens ( 4 times in the last 6 months) luckily I was covering the break to slow down or going very slow from a stop. Each time I was turning left or right. I was able to push the shifter into neural. After applying the breaks the engine slows down

NHTSA ID

11684180

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.

NHTSA ID

11684179

Incident

Aug 30, 2025

Parking Brake harness is defaulty.

NHTSA ID

11678223

Incident

May 2, 2025

Car battery dies after the vehicle sits for longer periods (approximately 2 weeks or more?). Roadside assistance has tested battery twice after jumping the vehicle and stated the battery is still healthy. Various Subara owners report similar situations in online forums, and the culprit seems to be a design flaw where the DCM module is trying to connect with the obsolete 3G cellular network, causing a parasitic battery drain.

NHTSA ID

11674386

Incident

Jun 16, 2025

purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.

NHTSA ID

11648634

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

I was driving on highway and engine failed light came on, along with low fuel sign. Engine shut off. Luckily I was able to safely pull over. The Dealer determined that the low fuel sensor failed thus shutoff the engine. Shutting engine off on a highway is dangerous and life threatening event. Need a different strategy to warn the driver with a time to safely pull over. It cost me over $1,500 to get the part repalce.

NHTSA ID

11647892

Incident

Dec 13, 2019

There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number WUB-87 for 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as described in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11634136

Incident

Jan 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that while the check engine light remained illuminated the horn failed to function as designed. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light issue was resolved the horn returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the check engine warning light issue was resolved. The failure mileage was 184,000.

NHTSA ID

11630170

Incident

Dec 10, 2024

Mileage

184,000 mi

Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024

NHTSA ID

11623875

Incident

Nov 5, 2024

I went to the store with an intact and unblemished windshield. After returning to the vehicle, a crack in the passenger side of the windshield appeared with no chip or damage visible. After only a day, this cracked had tripled in length with weekly crackling sounds. This is a known issue with Subarus and the manufacturer is trying to be selective with repairs. My vehicle has the EyeSight system and will cost me $1100.00 to repair because it's $700.00 to calibrate the system after glass repair..

NHTSA ID

11604581

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

Battery dies really fast and ended up doing a replacement right after moving from Idaho to utah and losing a bolt and had to use a wrench from my late husbands toolbag in the trunk to keep it on the positive terminal I do believe after just having left the emergency room and was quite ill. The battery acid started to corrode the cables and everything along with it. Including the back seat, that had a seatbelt that got ripped accidentally when removing a babyseat from the car,

NHTSA ID

11585553

Incident

Mar 18, 2021

Battery has failed twice in a matter of a year. Both batteries were top of the line and no reason can be seen for failure. I see that there are a great deal of the same sort of complaints listed here and Subaru should be well aware of this issue.

NHTSA ID

11555483

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019. The transmission of my Subaru started making noise half year ago which was still under warranty, at that time I didn't think it was a big deal and totally forgot the letter from Subaru, however, the noise is aloud and unbearable now, the mileages of my car is about 5000 miles exceeding 100000 miles warranty, which I need to pay $8200 to replace transmission per Subaru client service USA. After browsing online, I have noticed that the issue of CVT on Subaru Legacy is common, in this case, Subaru should replace such defective CVT for free, at least for the part.

NHTSA ID

11543478

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle accelerated at high-speed without warning, causing the vehicle to drive over a curb and into oncoming traffic. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact was able to regain control and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and case was filed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11538928

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

Mileage

35,000 mi

Vehicle had significant amount of oil pooled in the battery case holder back approximately Jan 2022 or earlier. Contacted Subaru of Las Vegas and they offered to clean the vehicle believing it was a careless oil change. Next oil change Subaru said I had a minor oil leak. Took it to an outside vendor to have them look at it and they said I didn't have an oil leak. Every oil change after that subaru continued to say I had a leak. But, my oil levels never changed enough to show low oil. Took it to the same vendor again and again they said no oil leak. Took it to another vendor and they changed the gasket cover and leak, but mentioned there was a leak with the cam carrier that needed to be revealed. They recommended taking it to their neighbor vendor that specializes in Subaru and they looked at it and confirmed, but mentioned to contact Subaru and that it should be a covered repair as it is a known issue with Subaru and that they were currently working on one with the same issue. While recently driving it, I noticed what smelled like burning oil. When I looked online I can see numerous years and models of owners reporting the same issue with their Subaru. Contacted my dealer and they said it wasn't covered. Contacted Subaru of America and they are currently investigating it. If your camshaft seal is leaking oil, you need to get it replaced right away. The leak can lead to a fire, and your engine could seize up. It can also damage your timing belt which can cause bent valves, cylinder head damage or camshaft damage. Prior to this, I actually have already repaired the timing belt. I want to ensure that no injury or damage comes to another Subaru vehicle owner having the same issue. I have also just had to repair both axles and my Subaru is a 2016 with 90,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11536054

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

I've own a 2016 Subaru Legacy Limited 3.6, for coming on 2 years. In the last 3 months I've had to replace my battery twice. The last being a red top battery costing $300+ and only lasted 2 days. The first incident that was most disruptive was, driving home in rush hour traffic when I lost all power, radio cut out, all lights on dash go out, my car begins to sputter and there is no power steering. Once traffic rolled to a stop it dies and wouldn't turn back over, couldn't pull my key from the ignition, roll the windows up, and once in park I couldn't change to neutral. It was very dangerous due to traffic, and I was stuck on a bridge that was a main arterial, with no emergency flashers. Had to have the city law enforcement call to get my car removed from the roadway. Had it towed to the dealership I purchased it from. The next day they told me my battery was dead and I needed a new one. Tested my alternator and that test good. Then again it died under the same symptoms as it did the first time. Leaving me stranded on a busy highway, at 10 at night. All of my symptoms were directly related to my a/c being on and sitting too long without driving, at idle or stop and go traffic and progrssively got to being a main battery drain. My key ittermediately wont pull from the ignition, steering wheel wont lock in place. My windows will randomly not roll up, but bounce down and stop halfway and lock temporarily in that position. I believe its all electrical problems or voltage issues. None the less... if there is no way to repair this, than it should be a recall..... because it's a serious problem with no solution and Subaru is fully aware of it.

NHTSA ID

11531013

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

Steering did not return to neutral position after making a right turn, steering wanted to continue on right turn. I was able to pull it back to straight position with some needed force. I don't believe my wife would be able , after initial surprise, to steer back into lane of traffic. Result could have been an accident. I have not reproduced the problem at dealer or independent service facility or by manufacturer and because of no accident police or insurance co. not called. There were no warning signs. I just recently pudchased this vehicle within past week. I would call your attention to the articles on internet describing the problem and how to repair I don't think I should pay for repair as it is a recurring problem with other cars by same manufacturer. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11527329

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

Replaced battery but still all dash lights come on I lose power and it dies. I can jump start it and it stay but all lights stay on. New starter, new alternator, I just don't know what it is. Only code that comes up is P0420

NHTSA ID

11524713

Incident

May 31, 2023

My 2016 Subaru Legacy 4 -Door Sedan has Power Windows. When my vehicle was under it's Extended Warranty I had an issue with the Passenger Side Window. When trying to roll the window down, it would roll down and then quickly roll back up. Over and over again. I had to wait and possibly even turn off the vehicle to finally get the Passenger Window to close. But needless to say, it made me very nervous. I took my vehicle to the Subaru Dealership in Grapevine, Texas for repair. It was repaired at the time, at a cost of $100.00. But here I am yet again, and the same problem has happened again. And now my Driver's Side Window will not even roll down, at all. I no longer have the Extended Warranty, unfortunately. So, I am truly unsure if I feel comfortable taking it back for repairs. Wondering if this will happen again. And with the Driver's Side Window not being able to roll down at all, this has proved dangerous for me and my Mother. Who also drives my vehicle. It was/is especially quite dangerous going to do Curbside Pickups, Drive Thru for my Prescriptions, or food orders. I am very concerned for mine and my Mother's Safety with both Front Driver's Side and Passenger Side Windows not working properly at all. I have never had a vehicle with this kind of issue before and feel if Subaru is all about Safety then all my Windows should work properly. I am at a real loss here as to what to do, as I cannot afford any repairs due to financial hardships and my poor health. So, it is rarely driven anymore, even though I have paid the loan off and have the Title for the vehicle. I am very perplexed and need help as to what I could or should do, other than report this Safety Issue to NHTSA. Thankfully though, the Rear Windows work properly. I have not discovered any issues with those two windows. No Warning Lights or Alerts have been present either for the front windows. But it is a definite problem and safety issue when the front windows do not work as they should.

NHTSA ID

11524309

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

I was driving on the interstate going about 75 mph and suddenly my hood popped up and blocked my view. The hood cracked the windshield and was pushed back, in a way that doesn't allow it to close anymore. The hood warning light was not showing and I have driven hours earlier at highway speeds without a problem. The hood jack is snapped off. The problem has not been reproduced or looked at by my insurance, or a service center yet.

NHTSA ID

11523036

Incident

May 20, 2023