SubaruImpreza2016Overview/subaru/impreza/2016/base/

2016 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2016 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car equipped with a continuously variable transmission (AV-S6) and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined, placing it among the more efficient options in its class for that model year. This generation experienced 75 owner complaints with a single recall, a figure that reflects meaningful improvement over the model's troubled 2002 iteration, which recorded 300 complaints at the historical high point. Positioned within a complaint range spanning from 1990 to 2026, the 2016 Impreza demonstrates notably better reliability than earlier model years while not yet reaching the near-perfect record of the 2026 model, suggesting it represents a solid, middle-ground choice within the Impreza's production history for researchers evaluating long-term durability trends.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3020 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume97 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2012 2.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20152.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.50 sec148 hpAWD
20142.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Premium Sedan 2.0L F-48.60 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.00 sec17.00 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Limited Sedan 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.10 sec148 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine API · GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru Lineartronic II CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilAPI · GL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5-8.9
Manual Transmission FluidSubaru extreme pressure MTF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)575-775 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingTubo: 10, Non Turbo: 16 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
Engine CompressionTURBO / psi 196-254 / variance 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 /; Front: 59; Rear: 49
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .870; Rear: .330
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.730

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs. Step 3: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 4: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 5: 31 ft. lbs. Step 6: 78-82 degrees. Step 7: Bolts 1, 2; 73-77 degrees. Step 8: 6, 5, 4, 3; in that order turn 28-32 degrees. Apply sufficient engine oil to bolt threads and washer.21.4 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Compared with the rest of this generation, the 2016 Subaru Impreza sits at the bottom of a downward trend in complaints and recalls that followed the 2012–2013 highs. Complaints dropped from 248 in 2013 to 108 in 2014, 79 in 2015, and 75 in 2016, while recalls fell from 6 to 4 to 3 to 2 and finally to just 1 in 2016, with zero NHTSA investigations. The next year, 2017, reversed that pattern: complaints jumped to 125 and recalls to 7, and both remained elevated through 2019, so 2016 represents a relative low point in this generation’s federal record. TSBs also declined to 349 in 2016 from 411 in 2015 and were well below the 510–551 range seen in 2017–2019. The leading complaint categories were “Unknown or Other” (14), “Power Train” (8), “Electrical System” (5), and “Vehicle Speed Control” (5), with 7 crash-related complaints and no fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. For a used Impreza, 2016 looks like one of the cleaner years in this generation and is a comparatively good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
349
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
75
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 75 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other14
Power Train8
Electrical System5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Air Bags4
Visibility/Wiper4
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3
Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 349 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.