2016 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability

108 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Subaru Impreza, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 33/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Other leads the reports, typically around 44,000 miles.

108Complaints
33/100Trouble index
1Recalls
28,817Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2016 sits among all Impreza years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Other 21 complaints (19%) · typically ~44,000 miles
Electrical 18 complaints (17%) · typically ~31,400 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 13 complaints (12%)
Airbags 10 complaints (9%) · typically ~29,309 miles
Speed control 8 complaints (7%)
Brakes & stability 7 complaints (6%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 53 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 28,817 miles. Half of those reports fall between 23,745 and 40,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 19V149000 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins

349 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2016 Subaru Impreza. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2016 Impreza TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2016peak 25 in 20192026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2016 Subaru Impreza reliable?

The 2016 Subaru Impreza drew 108 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 33/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).

What are the most common 2016 Subaru Impreza problems?

The top reported problems for the 2016 Subaru Impreza are other (21 complaints), electrical (18), and transmission & drivetrain (13).

At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Impreza problems show up?

Owners most often report 2016 Subaru Impreza problems around 28,817 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 23,745 and 40,000 miles.

Does the 2016 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2016 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2015 Impreza All Impreza years 2017 Impreza →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.