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2016 Subaru WRX problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Subaru WRX is electrical system. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical WRX model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
66/100
Owner complaints
31
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
415
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19-23mpg

The worst 2016 Subaru WRX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    10
  • Engine
    8
  • Transmission
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Subaru WRX

Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Exterior lighting: back up lights: switchReported July 21, 2022 · 59,934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk
Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Recall number 22V522000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported March 21, 2016 · 18,187 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

Recall number 16V162000 · Recall details

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent brakingReported June 12, 2015 · 71,710 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk
If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Recall number 15V366000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Subaru WRX

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Subaru WRX 415

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 415 bulletins for the 2016 Subaru WRX

2016 Subaru WRX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylAWD18-2024-2721-23
2.5L 4‑cylAWD172319

What 2016 Subaru WRX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical · AZ · fire

The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.

Filed Mar 1, 2024 · FL

Driving and a loud explosion, sound, like a gunshot then a ton of pinging. The sunroof exploded and glass flew down my car and chipped a bunch of paint.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Transmission · PA

While driving, the clutch became stiff and unusable. Ultimately the car could not be shifted resulting in using a lower gear than normal to limp the car to safety. The car had to be towed to a mechanic. During the repair the mechanic identified that the cause of the failure was the clutch fork pivot ball punched through the stamped steel clutch fork. Looking online this seems to be a common failure since aftermarket re-designed parts are offered. I feel this is a manufacturer defect which resulted in the clutch failure and a 2500.00 repair. This car is only 7 years old with 67K miles on it. The clutch fork should not have failed catastrophically at this point in the car's life.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

I purchased a 2016 subaru wrx (premium) used from a subaru dealer in albany, ny with under 26k miles for approximately $25k in 2018. On a drive in december 2022 I experienced hesitation and/or stuttering under load or when attempting to accelerate, and car began getting very hot, and close to overheating, and the engine was knocking loudly. After turning engine off and then restarting, the knocking (intensity) was not as noticeable as the initial incident. Initially I replaced all coil over plugs, as cylinder #4 initially was reporting a misfire code after the check engine light came on. This appeared to relieve the misfire briefly, but the issue immediately returned, this time with piston #3 reporting misfires and also exhibiting signs of a possible failed ringland, with oil seeping past rings (on to / in spark plug) causing the engine to run very poorly. Presently upon startup white smoke comes from exhaust out the tailpipe and the engine is hesitating and/or missing, running poorly and I feel it cannot be driven safely with the diminished permormance or complete lack of ability to accelerate normally like a motor vehicle should. I have engaged a mechanic to inspect the engine, but have not yet proceeded with inspection/repairs due to the class action litigation. Current mileage is: 73563. This car has an fa20 engine.

Filed Feb 22, 2023 · Electrical · OH

I have faulty rear lights and a faulty rear view camera. According to MotorSafety.org there is currently a recall for this exact issue for WRX’s from 2015-2021. https://www.motorsafety.org/subaru-recalls-wrx-cars-over-faulty-rear-lights-rearview-camera-issue/

Filed Dec 30, 2022 · Electrical · NY

recurring battery drain, which has happened before. subaru dealer replaced the battery for the same reason less than 2 years ago. now it needs it again. car is inoperable as is.

Filed Nov 2, 2022 · Engine · NC

Started having issue with the engine making loud rattle noises and oil pressure was not consistent. Upon further investigating I removed the oil pan and removed the oil pickup. The oil pickup screen was full of RTV sealant causing the oil pickup to struggle with maintaining proper oil pressure and flow to the engine. I ended up having to change my timing belt tensioners because one went bad. Probably because of low oil pressure or RTV was sucked into oil galleys and caused it to malfunction. My car sounds a little better now but I believe I also have a light amount of rod knocking. If I kept driving the car, This could have led to catastrophic engine damage and caused my car to stall while traveling on public roads. I later researched if others have seen this issue and it appear to be a common issue in with Subaru and Toyota vehicles using the FA20DIT engine. These engine already have small enough rods, they don't need to be robbed of oil and cause engine damage because the manufacturer applied too much RTV sealant in assembly. There needs to be a recall on this.

Filed Jul 22, 2022 · Steering · UT

My power steering one day lost all fluid out of no where. I have this awful sound and go buy new power steering fluid. It’s continuing to leak. I joined a Subaru Wrx/STi group on Facebook and found that this is a reoccurring problem for many Subaru sti owners around the year I have. It sounds faulty and defective and sucks that the customer is stuck paying for these issues instead of Subaru fixing their reoccurring issue with many customers. I baby my car to the highest extent and the power steering should not have just gone out after I parked in my drive way. There is a massive stain now due to the leakage, which is fine. But it’s inconvenient knowing I’ll have to fork up hundreds to over a thousand to get this properly fixed instead of a DIY where it has to do with such an important compartment of the car.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

ABS, cruise control, and other driving assistance features are disabled while driving at night. I checked for recalls on Subaru WRXs and noticed a recall was issued for the same problems on 2011-2015 models. My vehicle is a 2016 model and demonstrates all the same failures observed from the recall of the 2011-2015 models.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Electrical · PA

Several batteries that have died prematurely, last one only 2 months since last use. Vehicle has refused to start on several occasions, despite the battery being okay. Suspect issues with controller area network.

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Questions about the 2016 Subaru WRX

Is the 2016 Subaru WRX reliable?

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2016 Subaru WRX, 1.2 times a typical WRX model year.

What is the 2016 Subaru WRX year score?

The 2016 Subaru WRX scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru WRX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Subaru WRX?

Electrical system, with 10 complaints. Next is engine (8).

How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru WRX have?

3 recalls, covering exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling and forward collision avoidance.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru WRX get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Subaru WRX range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 18-20 city and 24-27 highway.

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