SubaruOutback2016Overview/subaru/outback/2016/base/

2016 Subaru Outback

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

Body SUV

The 2016 Subaru Outback is an SUV that recorded 638 total owner complaints and four recalls, with the electrical system serving as the primary area of concern. Within the model's reliability history from 1995 to 2026, this year sits between the series low of two complaints in 1995 and the peak of 1,029 complaints in 2019. This placement defines the 2016 model's reliability as a mid-point relative to the model's overall complaint extremes.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 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 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3558 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 2016 2.5i Limited PZEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20162.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec175 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.40 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.50 sec15.80 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD
20152.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.20 sec17.10 sec175 hpAWD
20173.6R Touring 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.60 sec256 hpAWD
20183.6R Touring 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.20 sec256 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru Lineartronic II CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.0
Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru High Torque CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.0 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 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) Bolts21.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugMetal
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 177.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)575-775 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.75-1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
RPM49.3-58 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 152-203 variance 14 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 164 - 213 / variance 7 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 /; Front: 20; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 46 /; Front: 86; Rear: 49
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .590

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 21.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90.0-95.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs. Step 2: 70.1 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: 7.4 ft. lbs. Step 6: 22 degrees. Step 7: 51.6 ft. lbs. Step 8: 80-90 degrees. Step 9: 40-45 degrees. Step 10: 40-45 degrees; do not exceed 90 degrees. Apply sufficient engine oil to bolt threads and washer.29 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) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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.

The 2016 Subaru Outback sits at the beginning of a significant upward trend in consumer complaints: the model year recorded 638 complaints, up from 505 in 2015 and far exceeding the 208 complaints logged in 2014, with complaints continuing to climb through 2017 (917) and 2019 (1,029). The 2016 model had 4 recalls and 1 investigation, consistent with the 3–5 recall range of its immediate neighbors but notably fewer than the 10–18 recalls issued during 2010–2013. The dominant complaint area was the Electrical System (252 of 638 total complaints), followed by visibility/wiper issues (75), while crash-related complaints numbered 21 and fire complaints 3. Compared to earlier model years in this generation, the 2016 Outback shows a clear inflection point where complaint volume surged, likely indicating emerging systematic issues that would worsen in subsequent years. The takeaway: while 2016 benefits from being before the worst of the complaint spike peaked, it is not a clean-year example—it marks the onset of the problematic trend, and the high electrical-system complaint volume is a specific red flag worth investigating via a pre-purchase inspection.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
467
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
638
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 638 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System252
Unknown Or Other80
Visibility/Wiper75
Engine28
Power Train27
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other20
Steering14
Structure12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V910000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 19/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

16V292000Steering:ColumnReported 11/05/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 467 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…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
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…

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 Outback. 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 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.