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2016 Subaru Crosstrek Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering switch. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Key stuck in ignition after shifting to park.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Campaign #19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019

Issue: 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.

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 number for this recall is WUE-90.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek.

Reported to NHTSA

Key stuck in ignition after shifting to park

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

36 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2021-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151237
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132288
“WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN PARK THE KEYS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE IT CAME UP NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission failure requiring replacement

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2025-04

“In October 2020, the OEM transmission on my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek failed at 87,500 miles. The transmission was covered under a recent extension of the warranty from 60,000 to 100,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522109
“I have a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek 5 speed manual transmission and it only has 64000 on it. The clutch went out and I took it to the dealership to have the car worked on and hopefully repaired”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11577815
“THE LAG TIME ON THE CVT GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IS BEYOND ANNOYING IT IS DANGEROUS. IT TAKES 1-2 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE AND BECAUSE OF THIS LAPSE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE CAR WILL LURCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861492

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature wheel bearing and suspension failure

SUSPENSION

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2023-10

“Premature rear wheel bearing failure, both rear wheels at 29,000 miles. Dealer service technician states vehicle is unsafe to drive”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487021
“THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD [3RD] TIME AT 40K MILES. BEARING FAILURE APPEAR TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11141799
“TODAY WE HAD THE THIRD WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON THIS CAR. AT 43K MILES THE RIGHT REAR BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LEFT REAR BEARING ONCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162593

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spontaneous glass shattering without impact

VISIBILITY/WIPER

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2023-06

“THE GLASS OF MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS NOT CLOSE BEHIND ANY CAR AND I WAS NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS. LUCKILY THE INSIDE OF THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED SO THE EXPLODING CLASS DID NOT HIT ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11175004
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AS THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10946936
“The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked without impact. The dealer was notified of the failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11502212

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood latch failure causing hood to open while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10 → 2025-05

“Hood latch failed causing hood to fly open, smashing and breaking my windshield”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658990
“Driving at 55 miles per hour and the hood safety latch failed. Hood smashed the windshield and rained glass down inside the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11570698
“Engine Hood-Latch disengaged while driving at speed. The secondary (emergency) latch failed to keep the hood down, causing it to fly open, shattering the windshield, and completely blocking a view of the highway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11438338

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Battery drain from parasitic electrical draw

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2024-07

“I own a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with only 37,000 miles. There is a problem with my battery being drained after not driving the car for several days”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11559145
“I had to have it be jump-started first on 7/20/21 and again on 7/23/21, the battery had been replaced with a new manufacturer's battery in Feb. of 2020”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11426134
“TWICE NOW AFTER LETTING MY CAR SIT PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 3 TO 5 DAYS MY BATTERY HAS DRAINED TO THE POINT THAT MY CAR WILL NOT START AND I WOULD NEED TO JUMP START MY CAR EACH TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10967063

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

POWER TRAIN

25 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2024-09

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES. I SLOWED DOWN TO PAY A TOLL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED DURING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11043004
“My car has stopped working while driving 70 mph on the interstate in so separate occasions. Both times it has been driving fine, with fuel in the tank, and all of the sudden it shuts off and completely loses power”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11510909
“TWICE NOW MY CAR HAS GONE LIMP ON THE FREEWAY. IT DOESN'T SHUT DOWN BUT THE ACCELERATOR STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE TO COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT. WHEN I DO RESTART IT IT'S FINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898634

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent power steering failure

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2025-04

“Full electrical power steering failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11654714
“TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 40,076 MILES. DEAL READ CODE C2532. DEALER REPLACED FULL STEERING SYSTEM; RACK, CONNECTORS. STILL DID NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11232630
“POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE.HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS.LOSS IOF POWER STEERING LASTS FROM A FEW SECONDS TO 10 TO 15 SECONDS,RESOLVES BY ITSELF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353189

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

22 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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