2016 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback. Between them they involve air bags, steering and power train. The most recent was received on December 19, 2019.

Safety advisory on one campaign

Do not drive: campaign 16V-292 — Loss of Steering Ability

December 19, 2019Air bags

Air Bag Control Module Incompatible With Air Bag

NHTSA campaign 19V-910 · 46 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.

The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
May 11, 2016SteeringDo not drive

Loss of Steering Ability

NHTSA campaign 16V-292 · 48,819 vehicles potentially affected · Steering

The defect: 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.

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

The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
November 24, 2015Power train

Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential

NHTSA campaign 15V-794 · 3,251 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

The defect: 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.

The 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.

The remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
August 10, 2015Power train

Transmission Oil Leak

NHTSA campaign 15V-502 · 2,893 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

The defect: 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.

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

The remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Outback built in 2016. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

What 2016 Subaru Outback owners should do

Check your VIN on NHTSA’s lookup to see which of these campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether any are still open.
Call a Subaru dealer and book the repair, quoting the campaign numbers (19V-910, 16V-292, 15V-794, 15V-502).
If you have bought the vehicle used, the recall still applies: the repair is free whoever owns the vehicle now.
Make sure your current address is on file with the manufacturer so the owner letters reach you.

Other Subaru Outback model years

Common questions

Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback: 19V-910 (Air Bag Control Module Incompatible With Air Bag); 16V-292 (Loss of Steering Ability); 15V-794 (Drive Shaft May Detach From Differential); 15V-502 (Transmission Oil Leak).

How do I know if my 2016 Subaru Outback has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Is it safe to drive the 2016 Subaru Outback?

Campaign 16V-292 carries a “do not drive” advisory. If your VIN is included in that campaign, follow the advisory until the repair is done.