Every 2016 Subaru WRX recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 22V522000
Jul 21, 2022Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:Switch
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V522000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 16V162000
Mar 21, 2016Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V162000 →Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA 15V366000
Dec 6, 2015Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V366000 →
2016 Subaru WRX complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru WRX, reporting 1 crashes, 2 fires. Subaru has issued at least 406 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System10
- Engine9
- Unknown Or Other7
- Power Train4
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
- Exterior Lighting2
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (269)
- Equipment (221)
- Unknown Or Other (54)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (53)
- Power Train (53)
- Engine (47)
Read Subaru WRX owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru WRX. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2016 SUBARU WRXAug 27, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11611157
“DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IN KEY FOB PRESS. WILL BEEP CONTINIOUSLY, ONE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN. ONLY AFFECTS MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR.”
2016 SUBARU WRX STIFeb 22, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11181754
FireCrash
“FRONT END COLLISION VS DEER ON INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. 4-5 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE ALL WERE OUT OF THE CAR AT THE TIME THE FIRE STARTED.”
2016 SUBARU WRXNov 15, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11151840
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX STI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT, BUT NO SMOKE WAS PRESENT. THE ODOMETER GAUGE NEEDLE MOVED TO THE HOT INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.”
2016 SUBARU WRX STISep 6, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11124726
“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.”
2016 SUBARU WRXMar 1, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11574934
Check your WRX by VIN
Not every 2016 Subaru WRX is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Subaru dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →