2016 Subaru Legacy: won't start

7 of the 147 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Legacy describe won't start.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 42 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2023
1
2020
1
2019
7
2018
2
2017
3
2016
7
2015
5
2012
1
2008
1
2003
1
2002
1
1997
2
1996
1
1993
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Electrical · VA

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Electrical · NH

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2022 · Electrical · VA

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Electrical · IN

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

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Electrical · NY

Battery fully discharges when vehicle sits idle for more than 2 to 3 days. Car does not start. I changed the battery twice in 6 months time and have checked alternator which is okay. Subaru insists it's due to a 'non subaru' battery. The original battery that was exchanged was a subaru battery. The discharged battery has occurred multiple times in the course of 1 1/2 years. I have not taken the vehicle back in for this issue because they cannot solve the problem and charging me for service call.

Filed Apr 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MD

Drove on a straight stretch of interstate at 75 MPH in a sunny afternoon on a 400 mile trip with fuel tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full. The engine suddenly lost power. Pressed the gas to rev up the engine but still no power moving forward. Had to pull over to the shoulder and stopped the car. That was a pretty dangerous situation since it happened without any warnings. Tried to restart the car but failed. The starter turns but engine will not start. Attempted several times over the period of 30 - 40 minutes to no avail. Had to call a tow truck to a shop near by. Once unloaded (about 2 hours later) from the truck, the technician hooked on instruments to check. The electricals (alternator, battery) were fine. Then restarting the engine worked. Shortly after, the low fuel warning light came on. Not confident of continuing the trip, stayed in the town overnight. Checked the internet forums the next day and read similar experiences by some subaru owners and realized that it could be related to low-fuel. Went to fill up the gas tank and was able to continue to drive close to 100 miles to destination without problem. Noted when filling up, the tank had at least 2.5 gal of fuel left when the incident happened. Car has 65k on the meter. It was bought new and maintained on-schedule. No accidents or mods.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Transmission · 64,810 miles · WI

Cvt transmission is failing after the recommended service interval for fluid changes in the CVT, front differential and rear differential. Failure at 64,800 at freeway speeds on 12/28/2018. Had vehicle towed to subaru dealership and they performed a cleaning of carbon build up and checked the fluid levels and reset everything. Subaru claimed the computer was erased because the car wouldn't start once and had been charged. Dealership declared everything was correct and roadworthy. Picked up car on 1/1/2019 and transmission failed again at freeway speeds after approximately 12 miles of driving, this is the second failure, 01/01/2019. Vehicle is being towed into subaru dealership again on 1/2/2019. Transmission failing at 70 MPH and causing a sudden decrease in speed is a major safety issue that could result in being hit from the rear or losing control of the vehicle.