2016 Subaru Impreza: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Subaru Impreza: 1 recall, 75 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #19V149000 · 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 certain contaminants May cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and cvt/automatic…
Why it matters: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (19): the most common themes are electrical failure (4).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), warning light on (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (13): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), warning light on (5), noise or vibration (2).
- Airbags (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 Subaru Impreza has 75 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 35 Impreza model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 76). Complaints peaked in 2019 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 26,257 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (77 complaints, 2 recalls), 2017 (125 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Subaru Impreza.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2016 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru Impreza problems?
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (19), electrical (14), transmission & drivetrain (13).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Subaru Impreza repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.