2016 Subaru Outback Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 639 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Subaru Outback overview page.
What owners report
“HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT CAR JOLTING AT STOP LIGHTS ON OCCASION IN GEAR AT FULL STOP AT LIGHTS. NO DIAGNOSIS. CHANGED GAS THINKING IT MIGHT HELP…”NHTSA complaint 11111054 — filed 07/12/2018
“KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THE FAILING PARK POSITION SWITCH DID NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE TURNED TO THE…”NHTSA complaint 11066187 — filed 02/01/2018
“THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AFFECTING TOP OF THE LINE SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 LIMITED/PREMIUM MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS. THIS ISSUE IS…”NHTSA complaint 10937164 — filed 12/22/2016
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Subaru Outback: 42 of 639 complaints on file (6.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Subaru Outback have in total?
639 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 21 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 13 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
