Verdict
2016 Subaru Impreza: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Subaru Impreza — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for wagon.
Owners filed 75 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 50% of 2016 wagons. Unknown Or Other leads the reports (19%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 wagons, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
75
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 50% of 2016 wagons
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 wagons by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Unknown Or Other issues lead owner complaints (19% of 75 reports), followed by electrical system (16%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 75 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11564019, ODI 11449200, ODI 11447434, ODI 11424502, ODI 11352844.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior Lighting · 19V149000Details +Close −
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 Subaru Impreza SW AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 28 | 36 | 31 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 28 | 36 | 31 |
| Impreza Sport AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| Impreza Sport AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Subaru Impreza: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
Owners filed 75 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Subaru Impreza — fewer complaints than 50% of comparable 2016 wagons, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (19% of complaints) and electrical system (16%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Impreza have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2016 Subaru Impreza, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Impreza get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Subaru Impreza between 27 and 31 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.