2016 Subaru Legacy Electrical Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consistent problems with parasitic battery drain. If the car is ever left to sit for more than two weeks, the battery will have died. I have to be careful because the battery does not recoup the energy required to start the vehicle in city driving. The second battery I installed in the car (7/2021) has failed prematurely and again requires replacement.

NHTSA ID

11502835

Incident

Jan 6, 2023

Battery drainage issue: Battery failed in my 2016 Subaru legacy in 2019, replaced with a new battery and died again in 2020, 2021, and 2022. This should be a recall not a class action lawsuit. Leaving someone stranded is a safety issue. No warning was given when the battery died. It was fine one day and dead the next day. Had to tow the vehicle at my expense to the Subaru dealership and was told that they needed to replace the battery, which I had to pay for and they performed an OBDII reprogramming of the engine control module. The dealership indicated that this should help with the drainage problem but I was not given a guarantee.

NHTSA ID

11499975

Incident

Dec 23, 2022

BATTERY DIED BECAUSE OF A DRAIN PROBLEM. I HAD TO REPLACE 2 BATTERIES IN ONE YEAR AND TEN MONTHS. HOW MANY BATTERIES MUST I REPLACED BEFORE SUBARU DOES A RECALL? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO?

NHTSA ID

11497468

Incident

Dec 13, 2022

Having a problem with battery draining while the car is turned off. Experienced it previously 24,095 miles and 3 years on the first battery. Had to call AAA and get a jump start, and simply replaced the battery (9/18/19). Over the last year started experiencing similar problems with the replacement battery, and bought a battery charger, so when it would not start in the morning, I would put it on the charger and use my other car (a 2020 Subaru Forester). Took the Legacy to the dealer (10/15/22 - 39,224 odometer reading), he tested the battery, and said there was no problem. Went on vacation for 5 days, came back, and again the car would not start. Took it to another battery dealer, after charging, and they also said there was no problem with the battery. Recently found out that Subaru has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit. Since Subaru understands the problem Hardware/ Software problem with the CAN system, why the affected vehicles are not subject to recall. Vehicles include 2015 - 2020 Outback; 2025 - 2020 Forester; 2015 - 2020 Legacy; 2015 - 2020 WRX; 2019 - 2020 Ascent. I would think the possibility of stranding a motorist in a remote location, adverse weather conditions, etc. would deem this defect to be serious safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11492758

Incident

Oct 2, 2022

Battery drains completely and will not start if not driven for a day. Have had the battery rep,aced twice and electrical system checked, yet batteries continue to discharge and are dead if the vehicle is not driven for one day.

NHTSA ID

11488755

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

Start up issues, often need to jump vehicle with a relatively new battery. Power window issues

NHTSA ID

11486410

Incident

Sep 26, 2022

I bought the car used in 07/2020. Took the vehicle to get it checked at a Subaru Dealership Service center. When I returned to pick up my car, it would not start. The shop checked told me the battery was dead and would need to be replaced. I complained that it was functioning fine when I put it in and their reports did not state any issues with the battery. After much complaining they offered a free oil change but I had to pay for the battery. Now, only 26 months into the new battery, it is showing corrosion build up on the battery. Powder and acid. A non Subaru shop just serviced the car and the safety check revealed that the battery was in "Fair" condition with reduced CCA.

NHTSA ID

11482850

Incident

Aug 22, 2022

UNKNOWN- Car electrical system drains battery to the point, after short drives, does not have sufficient amperage to start motor. No problem with battery, replaced many times, Took vehicle to dealer to trace issue and was told no issue. I found a class action Lawsuit that describe the same issue on multiple car models including mine. My spouse is a handicapped driver and has been left stranded, leaving her in a unsafe environment. No warning signs, first occurred 2017 and several times during the years. Recent failure 08/16/2022

NHTSA ID

11479594

Incident

Aug 16, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Key ignition does not want to release once car is in park and shutdown. I have to wait 15 minutes or more until the ignition decides to release the key. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It is a safety issue as I can't leave my keys on the ignition and wait until someone steals it. It mostly happens during the summer time. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem has been seen by an independence service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? My warranty is expired therefore I have not been able to get it inspected without having to pay out of pocket for it. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning messages, and it started about a year ago.

NHTSA ID

11466106

Incident

May 3, 2021

Hello! I have a 2016 Subaru Legacy and have been experiencing issues with battery drain over the last 2 years. I have replaced the battery multiple times, the computer modular, and even the alternator with no solution. My safety is at risk as my wife and i both drive this vehicle and have a toddler. The persistent uncertainty on if the vehicle will start puts us at risk to be stranded and is heightened during this pandemic.

NHTSA ID

11448317

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

Battery is draining and needing replaced far more often than is typical. Constant corrosion build up on the battery.

NHTSA ID

11447122

Incident

Dec 15, 2020

Battery draining problem the requires a new battery to be installed Original batter 2016 Car would not start in February 2019 and required replacement Car would not start in January 2021 and required replacement Car would not start in December 2021 and required jumping

NHTSA ID

11444634

Incident

Feb 2, 2019

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the battery became drained on multiple occasions. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced several times by the dealer. The computer system had been updated on the vehicle as that was the failure diagnosis however, the failure had continued. The contact stated that when she went to retrieve the vehicle from the dealer the battery was dead. The contact was advised to purchase a battery maintenance charger or to disconnect the battery cables. The contact stated that she purchased the charger and the failure still occurred if the vehicle was not plugged in for 24 hours. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11436622

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

Car showed several check engine lights over the course of 6 months which originally pointed to the O2 sensors and then the alternator and then eventually ECU being an issue. Upon further inspection by a Subaru specialist after many codes relating to bank 1 sensor 2 too lean, oil was noticed in the ECU and then later in the O2 sensor. The oil was cleaned to the best of their ability and less than 24hrs later, more oil was found in the other O2 sensor. Oil seems to be traveling through the wiring harness from the engine into the electrical components. Has caused my car to mis fire at speeds as low as 25 and as high as 75 (causing jerking and unsafe driving on the interstate) and the oil is damaging lots of electrical components under the hood. My car is currently inoperable waiting for repairs on sept 15, 2021

NHTSA ID

11432284

Incident

Feb 20, 2021

My battery keeps dying. I just had to replace it for the second time this year. Used 2 brands, one from the dealership and the other Interstate. I had the alternator and starter checked but those are working. Something keeps killing my battery and would like it fixed. I have missed appointments and had my car towed having to pay over $600 to get it back.

NHTSA ID

11430037

Incident

Jul 16, 2021