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2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
131 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electrical system problems dominate (28% of complaints, typically reported near 37k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (18) · Steering (13) · Engine (13) · Fuel system (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
28%37 complaints · typically near 37k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“Battery drain Bought new battery Got dcm update Pulled dcm fuse Still battery goes dead Thousands of vehicles involved Suburu knows the cause To expensive to fix Pleas…”
Transmission & drivetrain
14%18 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS …”
Steering
10%13 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“NO POWER STEERING BACKING UP AFTER STARTING THE CAR. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON STILL NO POWER STEERING. PARKED WAITED 15 MINUTES TRIED AGAIN…”
Engine
10%13 complaints
“In three separate incidents while car only shows 70 in fuel indicator, my 2016 Crosstrek stalled while driving on a highway. I have brought my car to Subaru dealer, bu…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Subaru CROSSTREK HYBRID beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Crosstrek Hybrid model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.