2016 Subaru Impreza recalls and problems

The 2016 Subaru Impreza has 1 recall and 75 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is unknown or other.

2015 Subaru Impreza
Pictured: a 2015 model; the 2016 may differ in details. Photo: 2015 Subaru Impreza by OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2016 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 27 Impreza model years — 14th most.

1recalls
75complaints
7crashes
0fires
2injuries
27,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Exterior Lighting

Feb 28, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles

Problem: 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 light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy & notes

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 number for this recall is WUE-90.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other19
Electrical System14
Power Train13
Air Bags8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Service Brakes6
Steering5
Visibility5
Exterior Lighting4
Structure4

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2016: 7 complaints20162017: 4 complaints20172018: 7 complaints20182019: 16 complaints2019162020: 12 complaints20202021: 8 complaints20212022: 7 complaints20222023: 8 complaints20232024: 3 complaints20242025: 2 complaints20252026: 1 complaints20261

2016 vs. other Subaru Impreza years

2000: 41 complaints20002001: 11 complaints2002: 292 complaints2922003: 62 complaints20032004: 96 complaints2005: 75 complaints2006: 56 complaints20062007: 68 complaints2008: 176 complaints2009: 104 complaints20092010: 46 complaints2011: 58 complaints2012: 243 complaints20122013: 251 complaints2014: 109 complaints2015: 77 complaints20152016: 75 complaints2017: 125 complaints2018: 152 complaints20182019: 194 complaints2020: 85 complaints2021: 14 complaints20212022: 14 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 32 complaints20242025: 5 complaints2026: 1 complaints20261

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2016. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2016 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2016 Subaru Impreza, the latest from Feb 28, 2019 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Impreza?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention unknown or other (19), electrical system (14), power train (13). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.