📧 info@texaslemonlaw.com 📞 +1 866 777 5045
Free Consultation Available

2016 SUBARU LEGACY Complaints and Recall Information

The 2016 SUBARU LEGACY has 9 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most often report engine failures including sudden shutdowns during driving and loud noises from the engine. Other issues include battery drain after extended parking, problems with the parking brake harness, difficulty removing the key from the ignition, and unexpected engine revving during turns.

Common Issues

  • Engine shutdown. Reports describe the engine shutting off unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by warning lights such as the engine fail light and low fuel indicator, creating hazardous situations on highways.
  • Loud engine noises. Loud or unusual sounds from the engine persist despite dealer inspections and repairs, including a recall reportedly meant to address this issue.
  • Muffler and exhaust problems. Muffler hanging and a loose heat shield causing noise and potential damage have been described, with some repairs done outside dealership service.
  • Battery drain. The car battery may die after sitting unused for around two weeks, despite tests showing a healthy battery. This is possibly caused by a design flaw in the DCM module seeking a discontinued 3G cellular network.
  • Parking brake harness defect. Reports indicate defects in the parking brake harness impacting its proper function.
  • Ignition key removal difficulties. Some owners report being unable to remove the key immediately after turning off the engine, requiring multiple attempts.
  • Unexpected engine revving. Engine revs increase suddenly when starting from a stop or slowing for a turn, creating potential safety concerns related to vehicle control.
  • Valve body failure. Dashboard warnings disabling safety features and loss of traction control tied to valve body issues have been reported.
  • Transmission and drivetrain noises. Wear and repairs including wheel bearing and brake replacements have occurred within the first year of ownership.

The vehicle is subject to 5 recalls addressing various defects primarily involving powertrain, drivetrain, and steering components.

Recalls

  • Propeller shaft seal cap (WQU-56). Affects 2893 vehicles from the 2015-2016 Legacy and Outback models. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap, risking fire if the oil contacts the exhaust pipe. Subaru will replace the propeller shaft free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory issued.
  • Drive shaft securing nuts (WQV-57). Impacts 3251 2016 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Improper tightening may cause the drive shaft to separate from the rear differential, potentially striking the fuel tank and causing a fuel leak and fire hazard. Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace nuts at no cost. No driving restrictions apply.
  • Steering column defect (WTD-65). Covers 48,819 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Improper machining of the steering column may result in loss of steering control. Owners are advised not to drive vehicles until inspection and any necessary replacements are completed. Subaru will perform repairs free of charge.

Owners with repeated repairs or unresolved safety defects, especially those related to engine failure or steering loss, may want to review their rights under state lemon laws. Persistent problems and recall issues might qualify them for additional protections or remedies.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY Summary

2016

Model Year

9

Total Complaints

3

Total Recalls

54963

Vehicles Affected

Recalls

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

48819 vehicles affected

16V292000

STEERING:COLUMN

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

DO NOT DRIVE

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

3251 vehicles affected

15V794000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Risk: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

2893 vehicles affected

15V502000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Risk: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Complaints

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2125225

ENGINE

Sometimes when starting from a stop or slowing down to make a turn the engine revs up like I was pushing the gas pedal. When this happens ( 4 times in the last 6 months) luckily I was covering the break to slow down or going very slow from a stop. Each time I was turning left or right. I was able to push the shifter into neural. After applying the breaks the engine slows down

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2125224

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2116438

SERVICE BRAKES

Parking Brake harness is defaulty.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2110819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car battery dies after the vehicle sits for longer periods (approximately 2 weeks or more?). Roadside assistance has tested battery twice after jumping the vehicle and stated the battery is still healthy. Various Subara owners report similar situations in online forums, and the culprit seems to be a design flaw where the DCM module is trying to connect with the obsolete 3G cellular network, causing a parasitic battery drain.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2073942

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2073941

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2073940

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

purchased my 2016 legacy in 2022, I was offered the bronze warranty due to milage. My vehicle was bought back due to loud noises coming from the engine. Was told there was a peze recall and it was fixed. Brought it back to the dealership for the same sound and they found nothing wrong. A few weeks later leaving work, I noticed my muffler was hanging. I took it to a local muffler shop where the repaired it and repaired the heat shield which was loose and knocking up against the exhaust. Still taking my vehicle to the dealership for the warranty clear coat/ zetec and was told that I needed two-wheel bearings and that I was over milage, that it wouldn't be covered. I had both wheel bearing replaced and rear brakes within the first year of having the vehicle. Later part of 2024 my dashboard was lighting up, not allowing any of my safety features to work and I have no traction in the snow. I took the vehicle back to the dealership where I was told that it had a bad valve body, That the vehicle was over the milage for the extended warranty repair. I was sold a lemon, but there is nothing I can do about it.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2072862

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was driving on highway and engine failed light came on, along with low fuel sign. Engine shut off. Luckily I was able to safely pull over. The Dealer determined that the low fuel sensor failed thus shutoff the engine. Shutting engine off on a highway is dangerous and life threatening event. Need a different strategy to warn the driver with a time to safely pull over. It cost me over $1,500 to get the part repalce.

2016 SUBARU LEGACY

ID: 2052848

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number WUB-87 for 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as described in the recall.