SubaruWRX STI2016Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2016/base/

2016 Subaru WRX STI

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Subaru WRX STI is a four‑door passenger car built on Subaru’s robust boxer‑engine platform, renowned for its all‑wheel‑drive dynamics and turbocharged powertrain; while no new performance figures appear in this year’s data, the model’s design continues the STI lineage’s focus on track‑ready handling. In 2016 the vehicle received three recalls, and owners reported a total of 34 complaints, with electrical system issues topping the list, placing the model in the middle of Subaru’s reliability spectrum for that period. When viewed against the broader 2008‑2019 complaint history—where 2008 saw the highest at three complaints and 2010 the lowest at one—this year’s figures suggest a relatively stable reliability profile, though electrical reliability remains a key concern for researchers examining long‑term owner experience.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 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 55D23L · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3366 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

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 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Manual Transmission FluidSubaru extreme pressure MTF
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0-9.0

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts20.0 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)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in
Spark Plug Torque15.5 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number55D23L
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
Engine CompressionTURBO psi 142-171 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
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 /; Front: 114; Rear: 48
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.047; Rear: 0.047 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.100; Rear .710
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .003; Rear: .0028
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

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
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
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)
Every 96,000 miTiming Belt (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 federal record indicates 2008-2014 models averaged two recalls annually alongside minimal complaint volumes (0-3 per year), while 2015 and subsequent years through 2019 exhibit a sharp decline to zero recalls. The 2016 model year falls within this post-2014 window, following 2015’s zero-recall precedent and preceding 2018-2019’s continuation of that standard. For 2016 specifically, the Electrical System and Engine tie as the highest-volume complaint areas (8 reports each), with Power Train and unspecified categories registering 4 each. The target year also records 2 fire complaints and 1 crash complaint, though the data does not specify root causes for these incidents. This pattern of concentrated electrical and drivetrain complaints—amid a broader generation trend of reduced recall activity—suggests isolated component issues rather than systemic safety defects. Consequently, 2016 represents a viable purchase option within this generation, provided prospective buyers conduct thorough pre-purchase inspections focusing on electrical and engine systems.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
419
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System8
Engine8
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train4
Steering2
Exterior Lighting2
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V366000Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent BrakingReported 12/06/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

16V162000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 21/03/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 419 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

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 WRX STI. 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 WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.