2016 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
40 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Subaru WRX, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 9/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2016 Subaru WRX has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2016 sits among all WRX years
What owners report
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.…
Technical service bulletins
396 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2016 Subaru WRX. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Subaru WRX reliable?
The 2016 Subaru WRX drew 40 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 9/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2016 Subaru WRX problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Subaru WRX are electrical (11 complaints), other (8), and engine (8).
Does the 2016 Subaru WRX have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Subaru WRX. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
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.