2016 Subaru Legacy other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine remained running. After stopping, the vehicle would not move forward and felt as if it was stuck in Park, but it could roll backward. This occurred without warning and created a dangerous highway situation

NHTSA complaint #11754212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Battery dies all the time. Parasitic drain from the Starlink program in the car. There is/was a lawsuit. It involves some DCW fuse or something. Ive had to prematurely replace my battery. It also seems to be affecting the radio. It switches stations randomly.

NHTSA complaint #11741718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car came to a stop.

NHTSA complaint #11686981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.

NHTSA complaint #11684179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number WUB-87 for 2015-2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as described in the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11634136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024

NHTSA complaint #11623875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I've own a 2016 Subaru Legacy Limited 3.6, for coming on 2 years. In the last 3 months I've had to replace my battery twice. The last being a red top battery costing $300+ and only lasted 2 days. The first incident that was most disruptive was, driving home in rush hour traffic when I lost all power, radio cut out, all lights on dash go out, my car begins to sputter and there is no power steering. Once traffic rolled to a stop it dies and wouldn't turn back over, couldn't pull my key from the ignition, roll the windows up, and once in park I couldn't change to neutral. It was very dangerous due to traffic, and I was stuck on a bridge that was a main arterial, with no emergency flashers. Had to have the city law enforcement call to get my car removed from the roadway. Had it towed to the dealership I purchased it from. The next day they told me my battery was dead and I needed a new one. Tested my alternator and that test good. Then again it died under the same symptoms as it did the first time. Leaving me stranded on a busy highway, at 10 at night. All of my symptoms were directly related to my a/c being on and sitting too long without driving, at idle or stop and go traffic and progrssively got to being a main battery drain. My key ittermediately wont pull from the ignition, steering wheel wont lock in place. My windows will randomly not roll up, but bounce down and stop halfway and lock temporarily in that position. I believe its all electrical problems or voltage issues. None the less... if there is no way to repair this, than it should be a recall..... because it's a serious problem with no solution and Subaru is fully aware of it.

NHTSA complaint #11531013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Replaced battery but still all dash lights come on I lose power and it dies. I can jump start it and it stay but all lights stay on. New starter, new alternator, I just don't know what it is. Only code that comes up is P0420

NHTSA complaint #11524713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2016 Subaru Legacy 4 -Door Sedan has Power Windows. When my vehicle was under it's Extended Warranty I had an issue with the Passenger Side Window. When trying to roll the window down, it would roll down and then quickly roll back up. Over and over again. I had to wait and possibly even turn off the vehicle to finally get the Passenger Window to close. But needless to say, it made me very nervous. I took my vehicle to the Subaru Dealership in Grapevine, Texas for repair. It was repaired at the time, at a cost of $100.00. But here I am yet again, and the same problem has happened again. And now my Driver's Side Window will not even roll down, at all. I no longer have the Extended Warranty, unfortunately. So, I am truly unsure if I feel comfortable taking it back for repairs. Wondering if this will happen again. And with the Driver's Side Window not being able to roll down at all, this has proved dangerous for me and my Mother. Who also drives my vehicle. It was/is especially quite dangerous going to do Curbside Pickups, Drive Thru for my Prescriptions, or food orders. I am very concerned for mine and my Mother's Safety with both Front Driver's Side and Passenger Side Windows not working properly at all. I have never had a vehicle with this kind of issue before and feel if Subaru is all about Safety then all my Windows should work properly. I am at a real loss here as to what to do, as I cannot afford any repairs due to financial hardships and my poor health. So, it is rarely driven anymore, even though I have paid the loan off and have the Title for the vehicle. I am very perplexed and need help as to what I could or should do, other than report this Safety Issue to NHTSA. Thankfully though, the Rear Windows work properly. I have not discovered any issues with those two windows. No Warning Lights or Alerts have been present either for the front windows. But it is a definite problem and safety issue when the front windows do not work as they should.

NHTSA complaint #11524309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On Thursday evening, January 27, 2022, when I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park, my car unexpectedly accelerated even though I had NOT pressed on the gas pedal. (I would describe it as lurching). After it accelerated on its own, I quickly pressed on the brake pedal, and the car came to a stop. My car is available for inspection upon request. Had this happened when a person, car or other object was in front of my car, my car could have hit the person, car, or other object injuring the other person and me and damaging the object. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed. I drove a short distance home that day and have driven the car on a few errands since. The vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the incident. There were no warning lamps after the incident.

NHTSA complaint #11449804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Battery is draining and needing replaced far more often than is typical. Constant corrosion build up on the battery.

NHTSA complaint #11447122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My battery keeps dying. I just had to replace it for the second time this year. Used 2 brands, one from the dealership and the other Interstate. I had the alternator and starter checked but those are working. Something keeps killing my battery and would like it fixed. I have missed appointments and had my car towed having to pay over $600 to get it back.

NHTSA complaint #11430037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Key kept randomly getting stuck in the ignition. The Subaru tech found that the Select Lever Assembly needed to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11428896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hello, I'm trying to send this email to make NHTSA that Subaru has been having an issue with the ignition key for years. I purchased my Subaru Legacy around 2015 and just now started getting issues with the ignition not letting me take out my keys after set as "parked". I noticed that I was not the only one with this issue and Subaru should be made responsible for this shifter malfunction and not the customers. It should be a recall since many cars are experiencing the same issue with different models. I have to play around with the shifter in order to release my keys whenever I set it on park. Hope that this message can get routed to the right department and find a solution for this ongoing issue for many customers. Thank you in advance.

NHTSA complaint #11428712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. OFTEN WILL NOT RELEASE. HAPPENS WHEN PUT CAR INTO PARK UPON STOPPING.

NHTSA complaint #11407477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. ISSUE RECURS FREQUENT BUT RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AND SHUT-OFF ENGINE BEFORE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FAULTY PART IN SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11385364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE 2016 SUBARU LEGACY IGNITION KEEPS JAMMING THE KEY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT IN PARK. THE KEY REMAINS JAMMED AND BECOMES DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO REMOVE. KEEP IN MIND THE TIRES ARE STRAIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE KEY IS NOT BENT. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES THIS MONTH AND HAS NEVER OCCURRED PRIOR.

NHTSA complaint #11372419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE BUT AS TIME PASSES IT HAPPENS MORE AND MORE. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED IN 2018 REGARDING THIS BULLETIN #16-112-18R. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF. PER SUBARU OF AMERICA THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY GET A TON OF PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS BUT HAVE NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11360888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INTERMITTENTLY CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGINITION. CANNOT FULLY CUT THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11341213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY INTERMITTENTLY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN CAR IS IN PARK AND ENGINE TURNED OFF (BUT ELECTRIC IS STILL ON SINCE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED TO "OFF"). IF LEFT UNRESOLVED, THE BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY DIE. SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE IN SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R: "THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE CVT SELECT LEVER (SHIFTER) MECHANISM IN RESPONSE TO ISOLATED CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE CAUSE IS CONTAMINATION OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH INTERNAL COMPONENTS." THIS IS A SERIOUS ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT IT REQUIRED A REDESIGN; THIS IS A SERIOUS ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT IT REQUIRES A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11339444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION AFTER PLACING CAR IN PARK. LITERALLY HAVE TO EITHER SLAM CAR INTO PARK OR START CAR AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT DOWN. PROBLEM STARTED RIGHT AFTER HITTING 60000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11322335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SWITCH THAT THE KEY GOES INTO WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK. PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THIS AND FIX IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11317153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IGNITIION KEY STUCK IN ACC AND WILL NOT COME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA complaint #11302610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF CAR. PROGRESSIVELY GOT MORE FREQUENT. ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY IS TO MOVE THE CAR OR TO SHIFT BACK IN FORTH FROM PARK TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11290688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK-ENGINE/CAR TURNS OFF EXCEPT RADIO/LIGHTS. HAVE TO RESTART CAR PUT INTO REVERSE, BACK INTO PARK, THEN TURN OFF CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11287462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAVING DIFFICULTY REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK - CAR WILL TURN OFF BUT CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY, RESTARTING JIGGLING WITH FORCE - FEAR OF KEY BREAKING IN IGNITION

NHTSA complaint #11279802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FAILURE OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN SHIFTER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #11254808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WAS DRIVING CAR ALONG INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH AROUND 6 PM. HEARD A POP ON THE WINDSHIELD AND SOON AFTER ABOUT A 6 INCH CRACK APPEARED SIDEWAYS JUST ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER.

NHTSA complaint #11231602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NEED TO REPLACE GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 225/50R18 TIRES. 4 OF THEM HAVE DRY ROT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE CLOSEST TO THE RIM. ONE HAS A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE. CAR JUST TURNED 37 THOUSAND MILES YESTERDAY. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ISSUE TO CONTINUE DRIVING ON THESE TIRES. I AM AFRAID OF A BLOWOUT

NHTSA complaint #11221393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RADIO CONSTANTLY FREEZES. CANNOT OPERATE VOLUME OR ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS. WON'T EVEN PLAY MUSIC WHEN FROZEN. HAVE TO TURN OFF TO REBOOT. REARVIEW CAMERA WON'T WORK SOMETIMES. WHAT'S THE POINT OFF PAYING FOR THE EXTRA SAFETY FEATURE IF IT DOESN'T WORK? THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR. I AM VERY UNHAPPY.

NHTSA complaint #11209825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.