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2016 Subaru Impreza Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2016 Subaru Impreza carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering switch. Owners report 7 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.

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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 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

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

Reported to NHTSA

Key stuck in ignition after shifting to park

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2024-01

“WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB (TSB 16-112-18R) BUT NOT A RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245184
“After turning off the engine in Park, the keys are not being released from the ACC position of the ignition in my 2016 Subaru Impreza, which has 32,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435535
“INTERMITTENTLY UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER PLACING CAR IN PARK. UPON RESTARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING IT BACK OFF, KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150017

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake light switch malfunction and recall repair delays

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2019-06

“BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON AUTONIMOUSLY WITHOUT HAVING TO PULL THE EMERGANCY BRAKE OR DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WITHIN MY VECHILE WILL TURN ON WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY OR EVEN WHILE IN A STATIONARY POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11183740
“THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH FAILS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING DASH LIGHTS TO SHOW THE HILL BRAKE ASSIST, STABILITY CONTROL, AND ABS SYSTEMS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11186615
“AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE BY EMAIL FOR NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149, I CALLED FOX SUBARU OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI (888-658-9163) FOR RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220987

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield cracking under minor road debris impact

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2022-04

“GOING A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED A SMALL ROCK WAS ABLE TO CRACK MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY WITH A WORK VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE VERY WEAK AND BRITTLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268130
“Windshield spontaneously cracked. Additionally, windshield wiper reservoir leaks but dealer says it’s fine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431751
“In June 2020, 3 months after buying my 2016 Impreza used, the windshield randomly cracked from the bottom of the windshield and travelled upwards on the passenger side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11461901

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight failure and premature burnout

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2023-11

“We keep on having to replace our headlights. We just got one replaced 5 months ago and it’s out again. This will be the fourth time in three years”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11555767
“DRIVING AND HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOT DARK OUT. THE CAR WAS FINE PRIOR TO TODAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403410
“2016 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERN FOR VERY DIM HEADLIGHTS AND EASILY SCRATCHED/SOFT WINDOW SHIELD. *AS *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11175630

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission stall and hesitation during acceleration

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2023-09

“This is the third time that this has happened on the highway. I was driving about 70 miles per hour when my acceleration cut out”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537507
“Transmission failure while at high speed on an interstate highway resulted in disengagement, immediate deceleration and limited steerage in an area with limited breakdown lane”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533731
“CVT WILL NOT SHIFT IN COLD WEATHER. I TOOK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE TACH REACHING 2600 RPM'S AT 30 MILES TO 55 MPH AND CVT WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11062403

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2022-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10927234
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10877160
“WHILE CAR WAS SLOWING IN A PARKING LOT AREA, TURNING AND BRAKING (HAVE WITNESS TO ATTEST TO THIS), IT HAD SUA (SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) AS I WAS ABOUT TO PARK AND THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB AND THROUGH A BUILDING WALL IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11231541

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light triggered by seat sensor

AIR BAGS, SEATS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2019-08

“THE AIRBAGS TURN OFF WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HUMID OUTSIDE. PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11133615
“THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING OFF WHEN NOTHING IS IN THE SEAT. BECAUSE THE SENSOR THINKS SOMETHING IS IN THE SEAT THE AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE IS TURNED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11161996
“WHEN DRIVING WITH A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER THE PASSENGER BECOMES UNRECOGNIZED AND AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS WILL DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241421

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

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

Raw data + downloads for this 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)

18 crashes 1990–2024

How the 18 occupant deaths break down

11

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

18

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2017 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

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.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 Impreza 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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