← New search

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crosstrek years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Crosstrek years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

131 reports
65,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Unknown Or OtherFire

I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR NOT STARTING, TOO MUCH OIL CONSUMPTION ETC...THEN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2018, AT 3.42PM I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 87 WHEN CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY, SMOKE CAME OUT AND FLAMES. IT BURNED DOWN IN 15 MINUTES. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO TURN THE FIRE DOWN. THE CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I COULD HAVE DIE…

Read full complaint

I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR NOT STARTING, TOO MUCH OIL CONSUMPTION ETC...THEN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2018, AT 3.42PM I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 87 WHEN CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY, SMOKE CAME OUT AND FLAMES. IT BURNED DOWN IN 15 MINUTES. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO TURN THE FIRE DOWN. THE CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I COULD HAVE DIED

NHTSA ODI #11162213

40,050 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Visibility/wiper

WHEN DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH (APPROX 10 MILE DRIVE, MOSTLY HIGHWAY) I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD CRACK ON MY ROOF, AS IF SOMETHING HEAVY HAD HIT THE ROOF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BEHIND ME TO SEE IF THE CARS NEARBY HAD BEEN AFFECTED, BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. WHE…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH (APPROX 10 MILE DRIVE, MOSTLY HIGHWAY) I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD CRACK ON MY ROOF, AS IF SOMETHING HEAVY HAD HIT THE ROOF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BEHIND ME TO SEE IF THE CARS NEARBY HAD BEEN AFFECTED, BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK APPROX 3 MINUTES LATER I DISCOVERED MY SUNROOF WINDOW WAS SHATTERED, WITH PIECES OF GLASS SCATTERED ACROSS THE ROOF OF MY CAR AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SHARDS COLLECTED ON THE SUNROOF FABRIC COVER. I ASSUMED IT WAS A ROCK THROWN FROM ABOVE BUT COULD NOT SEE WHERE IT HAD LANDED OR BOUNCED ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR, ESPECIALLY AS THERE WAS ONLY THE ONE LOUD BANG AND NO OTHER REACTION FROM CARS IN TRAFFIC. THE POLICE HAD NO RECORD OF ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROCKS BEING THROWN FROM THE HILL ABOVE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUBARU SUN AND MOONROOFS EXPLODING FROM THE INSIDE DUE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN TEMPERATURE, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS INVOLVED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. IT WAS APPROX. 30 DEGREES THIS MORNING AND I HAD THE DEFROST/FOOT HEAT SELECTION ON, SET TO LOW. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR TO INVESTIGATE I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS IS BOWED OUT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, CONSISTENT WITH AN INTERNAL EXPLOSION. THE GLASS IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE AND CRUMBLES UPON TOUCH.

NHTSA ODI #11151317

27,500 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Electrical System

2016 SUBARU CROSSTREK, 27,500 MILES. UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE KEY IS TO PUT THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND THEN BACK TO PARK. HAS OCCURRED 1/2 DOZEN TIMES, MOST RECENTLY TODAY 11/13/2018. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT AT SO…

Read full complaint

2016 SUBARU CROSSTREK, 27,500 MILES. UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE KEY IS TO PUT THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND THEN BACK TO PARK. HAS OCCURRED 1/2 DOZEN TIMES, MOST RECENTLY TODAY 11/13/2018. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. OBVIOUSLY, I CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION! SWITCHING GEARS IS NOT ALWAYS AN INSTANT FIX AND CAN TAKE AWHILE GOING BETWEEN DRIVE/REVERSE/NEUTRAL BEFORE RETURNING TO PARK AND THE KEY RELEASES FROM THE IGNITION. HAVE A CALL INTO THE DEALER REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-16-112-18R

NHTSA ODI #11151237

34,600 miles · Nov 4, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND FOOT REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED VIOLENTLY. HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AS CAR WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A HIGHWAY. MANAGED TO SHIFT IN PARK AND SURGE EVENTUALLY STOPPED.FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER,THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE TO PA…

Read full complaint

WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND FOOT REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED VIOLENTLY. HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AS CAR WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A HIGHWAY. MANAGED TO SHIFT IN PARK AND SURGE EVENTUALLY STOPPED.FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER,THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE TO PARK. THIS TIME I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. FLAWED DESIGN, FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11145193

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE RADIO WITH SIRIUSXM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. APPARENTLY, SIRIUS UPDATED IS SOFTWARE, HOWEVER; THE SUBARU RADIOS ARE NOW NOT IN SYNC WITH SIRIUS. MY SITUATION IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION. SPECIFICALLY, THE "LIST" DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO MANUALLY CHANGE CHANNELS WITH THE KNOB, AS THERE ARE OVER 300 …

Read full complaint

THE RADIO WITH SIRIUSXM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. APPARENTLY, SIRIUS UPDATED IS SOFTWARE, HOWEVER; THE SUBARU RADIOS ARE NOW NOT IN SYNC WITH SIRIUS. MY SITUATION IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION. SPECIFICALLY, THE "LIST" DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO MANUALLY CHANGE CHANNELS WITH THE KNOB, AS THERE ARE OVER 300 CHANNELS

NHTSA ODI #11143901

40,000 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Power Train

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD [3RD] TIME AT 40K MILES. BEARING FAILURE APPEAR TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY.

NHTSA ODI #11141799

60,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Electrical System

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. INTERMITTENTLY, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION TO ALLOW REMOVAL. TURNING THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION THEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO PARK SOMETIMES ALLOWS THE KEY TO THEN TURN OFF AND BE REMOVED. THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. THE CAR DOESN'T SEEM TO RECOGNIZE T…

Read full complaint

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. INTERMITTENTLY, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION TO ALLOW REMOVAL. TURNING THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION THEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO PARK SOMETIMES ALLOWS THE KEY TO THEN TURN OFF AND BE REMOVED. THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. THE CAR DOESN'T SEEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11139699

13,000 miles · Sep 29, 2018
Electrical System

HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. RECENTLY WENT TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND TOLD THEM OF PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS. NOW I SEE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER 16-112-18R. SO APPARENTLY THIS INFORMATIO…

Read full complaint

HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. RECENTLY WENT TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND TOLD THEM OF PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS. NOW I SEE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER 16-112-18R. SO APPARENTLY THIS INFORMATION ISN'T BEING EMPHASIZED TO THE DEALERS. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND TO DATE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER LEVER SEVERAL TIMES AND GET KEY RELEASED BUT I'M SURE SOMEDAY I WON'T BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AT ALL. THIS STARTED HAPPENING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND CONTINUES. IF I RETURN LATE IN THE EVENING AND CAN'T SHUT OFF MY CAR WHAT WILL I DO?

NHTSA ODI #11132288

17,500 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY IT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. QUICK ACTION ON MY PART KEPT THE CAR FROM RUNNING OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SHOWED AN INDICATION OF A STEE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY IT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. QUICK ACTION ON MY PART KEPT THE CAR FROM RUNNING OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SHOWED AN INDICATION OF A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR FAULT. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND ROAD TESTED IT BUT BECAUSE THEY COULD TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY MADE NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. AT A MINIMUM, I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND ASKED THEM TO DO SO AND THEY REFUSED. I CONSIDER THIS CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11101029

30,000 miles · May 31, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

APRIL 2018 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT IDLE. RESTARTING THE CAR FIXED THE ISSUE BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN 10MIN LATER. BOTH INSTANCES ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERS…

Read full complaint

APRIL 2018 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT IDLE. RESTARTING THE CAR FIXED THE ISSUE BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN 10MIN LATER. BOTH INSTANCES ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE, NOW ONE MONTH LATER THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11098973

Official recalls

1

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 28, 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 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.