Home · 2016 Subaru WRX STI · Complaints

What 34 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru WRX STI

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (34)Crash / fire / injury (2)Electrical system (10)Engine (9)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Brakes (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2)Fuel system (2)Lights (2)Steering (2)Equipment (1)I Suspect The Car Seat IS Counterfeit (1)

10 of 34 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

Aug 27, 2024Electrical systemFire

The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.

NHTSA ODI 11611157

Feb 22, 2023Electrical system

I have faulty rear lights and a faulty rear view camera. According to MotorSafety.org there is currently a recall for this exact issue for WRX’s from 2015-2021. https://www.motorsafety.org/subaru-recalls-wrx-cars-over-faulty-rear-lights-rearview-camera-issue/

NHTSA ODI 11508644

Dec 30, 2022Electrical system

recurring battery drain, which has happened before. subaru dealer replaced the battery for the same reason less than 2 years ago. now it needs it again. car is inoperable as is.

NHTSA ODI 11499555

Feb 9, 2022Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakes

ABS, cruise control, and other driving assistance features are disabled while driving at night. I checked for recalls on Subaru WRXs and noticed a recall was issued for the same problems on 2011-2015 models. My vehicle is a 2016 model and demonstrates all the same failures observed from the recall of the 2011-2015 models.

NHTSA ODI 11451282

Jan 21, 2022Electrical system

Several batteries that have died prematurely, last one only 2 months since last use. Vehicle has refused to start on several occasions, despite the battery being okay. Suspect issues with controller area network.

NHTSA ODI 11448307

Jan 20, 2022Electrical system

The battery on my 2016 Subaru WRX has drained - twice - while parked for a week or less. This has occurred before and after replacing the battery at the dealership. Both times the battery was recharged by AAA and driven for 30-45 minutes to bring the battery back to full charge.

NHTSA ODI 11448280

Dec 17, 2021Electrical system

2016 WRX drains its battery while the vehicle is turned off. After 3 days of being outside in 20-40 degree Fahrenheit weather, the battery was completely flat and would not start. This has happened 2 winters in a row now.

NHTSA ODI 11444185

May 26, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

RECALL CLUTCH CHANGE BRAKES ELECTRICAL AND EMISSIONS SEEM TO BE FAILING TUCSON, AZ SUBARU PALM SPRINGS ,CA SUBARU IN MOTION SYSTEMS SYSTEMS FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11210068

Jun 27, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) FOR THE FAILURES AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11104253

Mar 27, 2018Electrical system

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I KEPT GETTING "HEADLIGHT DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASH, WITH CONDENSATION BUILDING UP ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, BUT THE HEADLIGHT KEPT WORKING SO I GAVE IT A WEEK AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS COMPLETELY OUT. I TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE BULB. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN TO REPLACE THE BULB, THEY REALIZED MY CAR REQUIRES A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT. IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO YEARS AND IT COSTS $840 FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND $1000+ WITH LABOR JUST TO FIX A LOW BEAM. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPLETE PACKAGE AND IT WASN'T COVERED. THERE IS A BAD SEAL AND A BAD DESIGN IN THESE MODELS. TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE KIND OF ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11081454

Working with the data? Download all 34 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Subaru WRX STI verdict →