repaired · 2020 Q3
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
2016 Subaru ImprezaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 75 owner complaints about the 2016 Subaru Impreza, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 19V-149 the manufacturer reports only 76% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Subaru Impreza has problems
75 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Electrical system
13Power train1 crash/fire/injury
8Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
8Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
6Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
5Steering
4Visibility/wiper
4Structure
4Exterior lighting
2011 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 |
| Power train | 13 | 1 |
| Air bags | 8 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 20 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2016 Subaru Impreza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Impreza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza median. How we score
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Subaru Impreza safety ratings
2016 Subaru Impreza SW AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words
What Impreza owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The variable fan speed control for the cabin air melted. The dial could no longer be moved and the assembly, once removed, had parts that were melted. Subaru was not interested. Cost me $1200 to get it fixed. Unfortunately, I cannot locate any pictures.
Intermittently unable to remove the keys from ignition after placing the car into Park and shutting off the engine. (Instances where keys remain stuck/locked in the ignition requiring someone to 'muscle' them out of there). I believe this is linked to a faulty sensor not allowing the keys to be…
The key will not come out of the ignition when the engine has stopped. It has to be restarted (often multiple times) before the key will come out. Does not happen every time but is frequent. This could lead people to leave the key in place if they are in a hurry and result in the possibility of…
Own a 2016 Impreza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.