2016 Subaru Crosstrek Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, and owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
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…
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…
132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 46,157 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 32 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“While driving my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (VIN: [XXX]) at approximately 70,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic cooling system rupture on the roadway without any prior dashboard warn”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 29, 2026 · Engine
“Within 24 hours of purchase, the exhaust pipe became detached underneath the vehicle and exhaust fumes and odor were entering the cabin while driving. This created a potential carbon monoxide exposure”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 10, 2025 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (XV Crosstrek AWD, XV Crosstrek Hybrid AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–31 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–29 / 30–33 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S6); Manual 5-spd |
Compare Subaru Crosstrek model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Crosstrek model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 26 |
| 2014 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 16 |
| 2015 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 17 |
| 2016 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 132 |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 94 |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 5 | 195 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 7 | 284 |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 69 |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 1 | 115 |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 31 |
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 34 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | 2 | 119 |
| 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 44 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 0 | 8 |
Checking a specific 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
How do I know if my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 19V149000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Forester6,498 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Ascent1,033 complaints
- WRX975 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.