Model year 2016 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2016 Subaru Crosstrek: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek at 26–31 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 132 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

26–31

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, newest first.

Exterior lighting: Brake lights: Switch

NHTSA 19V149000 Reported Feb 28, 2019
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WUE-90)
Units affected
1,303,530 (estimate)
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.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
XV Crosstrek AWD2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdAll-Wheel DriveRegular23/30/26 mpg$2,600348
XV Crosstrek AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT (6 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular26/33/29 mpg$2,300311
XV Crosstrek Hybrid AWD2.0L 4-cyl hybridCVT (6 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular29/33/31 mpg$2,150286

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.1%No
2016 Subaru Crosstrek SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.1%Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek owner complaints

Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, most recently on Sep 29, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Subaru Crosstrek complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Electrical system36
Unknown or other34
Power train18
Engine14
Steering13
Fuel/propulsion system8
Vehicle speed control6
Service brakes5
Structure: Body5
Visibility/wiper5

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Subaru Crosstrek model years

Subaru Crosstrek by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Crosstrek26–29 mpg——5/5
2026 Crosstrek26–36 mpg3105/5
2025 Crosstrek27–29 mpg0465/5
2024 Crosstrek27–29 mpg21205/5
2023 Crosstrek25–35 mpg0355/5
2022 Crosstrek25–30 mpg1315/5
2021 Crosstrek25–35 mpg21165/5
2020 Crosstrek25–35 mpg1695/5
2019 Crosstrek25–35 mpg82855/5
2018 Crosstrek25–29 mpg51955/5
2017 Crosstrek26–29 mpg1945/5
2015 Crosstrek26–31 mpg117—

All Subaru Crosstrek years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Subaru models

2016 Subaru BRZ2016 Subaru Forester2016 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport2016 Subaru Legacy/Outback2016 Subaru WRX

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Subaru.