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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Subaru WRX recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 34
Latest campaign: Jul 21, 2022

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	1	Jul 21, 2022	22V522000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Mar 21, 2016	16V162000
Forward collision avoidance	1	Jun 12, 2015	15V366000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 21, 2022Latest campaign


Jul 21, 202222V522000	Exterior lighting: back up lights switch Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V522000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse. Risk Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22. Campaign NHTSA 22V522000 · Jul 21, 2022
Mar 21, 201616V162000	Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V162000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall. Risk An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62. Campaign NHTSA 16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016
Jun 12, 201515V366000	Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V366000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function. Risk If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54. Campaign NHTSA 15V366000 · Jun 12, 2015

Jul 21, 202222V522000

Exterior lighting: back up lights switch

Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V522000

What's wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V522000 · Jul 21, 2022

Mar 21, 201616V162000

Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V162000

What's wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Campaign: NHTSA 16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016

Jun 12, 201515V366000

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 15V366000

What's wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Campaign: NHTSA 15V366000 · Jun 12, 2015

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component34

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

34Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires
Electrical system	10	29	0	1
Engine	9	26	1	1
Unknown or other	7	21	0	0
Power train	4	12	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	6	0	0
Steering	2	6	0	0
Service brakes	2	6	0	0
Exterior lighting	2	6	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	6	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	3	0	0
Tires	1	3	0	0
Equipment	1	3	0	0
Tether	1	3	0	0
Lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle)	1	3	0	0
I suspect the car seat is counterfeit	1	3	0	0

1 more component with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.”
Filed 08/27/2024 · ODI 11611157
Unknown or other
“Driving and a loud explosion, sound, like a gunshot then a ton of pinging. The sunroof exploded and glass flew down my car and chipped a bunch of paint.”
Filed 03/01/2024 · ODI 11574934
Power train
“While driving, the clutch became stiff and unusable. Ultimately the car could not be shifted resulting in using a lower gear than normal to limp the car to safety. The car had to be towed to a mechanic.”
Filed 05/10/2023 · ODI 11521395

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2016 Subaru WRX recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru WRX. The most recent, 22V522000 (reported July 21, 2022), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Subaru WRX?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 10 complaints out of 34 filed with NHTSA (29%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Subaru WRX?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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