2016 Subaru Outback MPG
The 2016 Subaru Outback gets 20–25 mpg in the city and 27–32 on the highway (22–28 combined), across the 2 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive and is rated 22 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2015 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular · 319 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 398 g CO₂/mi |
2016 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2016 Subaru Outback costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $640 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2016 Subaru Outback specs
2016 Subaru Outback buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with a CVT, with all-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2016 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 643 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (40% of component mentions), followed by visibility/wiper (11%) and engine (7%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 58 complaints a year: more than the 2015 (42 a year) and fewer than the 2017 (91 a year).
That ranks 6th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 643, 22 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 8 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 310 | 40% |
| Unknown or other | 124 | 16% |
| Visibility/wiper | 83 | 11% |
| Engine | 53 | 7% |
| Power train | 45 | 6% |
| Steering | 24 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 19 | 2% |
| Structure | 19 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 2% |
| Air bags | 10 | 1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 1% |
| Visibility | 8 | 1% |
| Lane departure | 6 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 6 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | <1% |
| Wheels | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Suspension | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. …
1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. …
There is a crack in the exhaust manifold and the exhaust smell is entering the cabin affecting driver and passengers' health. The problem has been confirmed by a Subaru dealer and an independent mechanic. …
2016 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Outback.
The most recent, campaign 19V910000 from December 2019, concerns air bags.
Power train accounts for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
15V794000 · November 24, 2015 · Power train
Problem: Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Risk: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V910000 | December 19, 2019 | Air bags | 2016–2017 |
| 16V292000 | May 11, 2016 | Steering | 2015–2017 |
| 15V502000 | August 10, 2015 | Power train | 2015–2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2016 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2016 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2016 Nissan Rogue (28 mpg), 2016 Honda CR-V (29 mpg) and 2016 Mazda CX-5 (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 297 | 21 | 12 |
| 2014 | 26 | 208 | 16 | 10 |
| 2015 | 28 | 510 | 42 | 5 |
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
| 2017 | 28 | 919 | 91 | 4 |
| 2018 | 28 | 816 | 90 | 3 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1,036 | 128 | 3 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2016 models
FAQ
Is the 2016 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2016 Subaru Outback has 58 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (6th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2016 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (310), visibility/wiper (83) and engine (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2016 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–28 mpg combined (20–25 city, 27–32 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Outback per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).