The 2016 Subaru Impreza has 1 safety recall and 75 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (19 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints75filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
2016 Subaru Impreza in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
NHTSA recall 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2016 Subaru Impreza SW AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.9%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2016 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.9%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Impreza AWD
31mpg combined
City / highway
28 / 36 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel
Impreza Wagon AWD
31mpg combined
City / highway
28 / 36 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel
Impreza Sport AWD
30mpg combined
City / highway
27 / 35 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel
Impreza AWD
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Impreza Wagon AWD
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Impreza Sport AWD
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Unknown or other
19
0
0
0
38,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition
14
0
0
0
34,900 mi
Power train
13
1
0
0
19,218 mi
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification
10
3
0
1
28,817 mi
Vehicle speed control
8
4
0
1
24,400 mi
Service brakes
6
2
0
0
65,000 mi
Steering
5
1
0
0
23,745 mi
Visibility/wiper
4
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Critical fasteners
4
0
0
0
35,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
4
0
0
0
—
Seats
3
0
0
0
—
Suspension
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 11, 2023Suspension I contacted Subaru in Mentor Oh at adventure subaru under TSB 19V065000 and was told to take it in to get looked at, my issue when I purchased the car at 67k miles i found that the car had a loud clunky sound while steering and going over bumps. After seeing the dealer and the stated the issue was from the steer rack and was exactly what was described exactly in the TSB but the only thing was they did not see a visible crack, the repair was denied. I then took the car to another dealer near Beavercreek oh after calling Subaru of America Case # [XXX]. Subaru of America was very certain that the repair was going to get performed. After going to the dealer it was yet again denied again, now it…
Dec 2, 2025Suspension Hello, I just purchase this vehicle from a dealership, 615 auto sales. After purchasing the vehicle I decided to go and get the recall done that was never done to the vehicle at the repair shop they did the recall but then ask me where did I purchase this vehicle from then I told them. The repair shop told me the grim news that the car was very rusted and should have not been sold like it was. There was nothing on the CARFAX about anything else and the shop told me that the car was a safety hazard. When I purchase the vehicle AS IS all I have seen was a TPM light on and a recall and getting some tires they were also bad but did not have any knowledge of how bad the frame was even there were…
Jun 8, 2016Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking While driving a multi lane road with traffic going same direction in front of me, if one or more cars begin to slow for a left or right turn, the auto braking feature begins to slow and will try to stop my car. Problem is that the car in front of me turning isn't in my lane. I have a clear lane ahead and suddenly the system brakes. still locked onto the car in front, but doesn't recognize the clear road ahead and I can easily pass it on by. I've nearly been re ended because the guy behind me wasn't thinking I would suddenly brake for nothing. It happened with adaptive cruise control, and with that off, the auto braking system, or "accident avoidance" system. I have have more near misses…
Jun 1, 2024Structure › Body The hood latch system failed and flew open while driving on the highway smashing the windshield. I was unable to see driving, glass shattered everywhere. The car was serviced three weeks prior and there was no notation of an issue with the hood latch. The hood would not latch after the incident either. Police were on scene and viewed the incident and insurance will be investigating. There have been numerous other reports of this happening with other subaru models including recalls. There are no open recalls on this vehicle and a multi-point inspection was done on the car 3 weeks prior.
Feb 1, 2024Seats The seat foam has degraded and exposed the metal frame through the seat cover on the driver side front seat. It is not safe to drive with a metal frame being exposed. A service bulletin (12-232-18 dated 2/6/2018) indicates there is an issue with the seat construction that can lead to this defect/degradation but refuse to acknowledge the issue to customers calling it an "outside forces" problem.
Jan 7, 2024Unknown or other Key will not turn past ACC after driving and so will not allow key to be removed from the car. This is a sporadic issue but could be a safety concern if needing to leave the car for an emergency as it runs down the battery and will not allow me to secure the vehicle. Driving around for 5 to 10 minutes more usually solves the problem but I might not have that extra time in an emergency! This has occurred several times, most recently today.
Nov 18, 2023Exterior lighting We keep on having to replace our headlights. We just got one replaced 5 months ago and itâs out again. This will be the fourth time in three years. No one can figure out why the headlights keep burning out.
Oct 22, 2020Electrical system The variable fan speed control for the cabin air melted. The dial could no longer be moved and the assembly, once removed, had parts that were melted. Subaru was not interested. Cost me $1200 to get it fixed. Unfortunately, I cannot locate any pictures.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.