Buyer Research

2016 Subaru Crosstrek — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $12,000–$18,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A lifted Impreza hatch with standard AWD — genuinely capable in snow and light trails, and stubbornly high in resale. Slow, with the familiar Subaru oil-consumption and CVT questions. Buy one with matched tires and a documented CVT service history.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 131 owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, across 1 recall campaign.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is electrics and electronics at 28%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

One recall campaign covers this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: electrics and electronics (37 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Oil consumption (FB20)High — wallet impact

Part of the Subaru oil-consumption pattern; monitor the level.

Repair cost (estimate): $0 if covered, $3,500+ short block

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (14).

Lineartronic CVT durabilityHigh — wallet impact

Shudder and failure risk; fluid service is essential.

Repair cost (estimate): $4,000-$6,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (18).

Underpowered for highway and loaded useMedium

148 horsepower moving a lifted AWD car. Merges and hills are slow.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (18).

Mismatched tires damaging the drivetrainHigh — wallet impact

The AWD system punishes uneven tires.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$4,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (18).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Oil consumption
✗CVT shudder
✗Mismatched tires
✗No CVT service

Good Signs

✓Oil monitored, CVT fluid serviced
✓Four matched tires
✓Documented maintenance

Found a specific Subaru Crosstrek?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Subaru Crosstrek years

2017 Subaru Crosstrek

$12,000–$17,000