general problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback

13 problems related to vehicle speed control have been reported for the 2016 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2016 Outback.

1 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2023

While driving on the highway at about 60mph my 2016 Outback suddenly accelerated much faster. The only way to avoid collision with another car or cars or end up in a ditch was to drive around them. The brake did not work! after a minute or more(?) I eventually was able to stop using the brake.

2 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/08/2023

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated independently while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the rpm’s was elevated to 5,000. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

3 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2023

At low rate of speed, while parking vehicle accelerated without warning and damaged 3 cars . This happened previously with separate family drivers without damage. This is a serious defect and could potentially cause serious injury or death. This was not driver error. The car lurched forward with absolutely no gas pedal involvement. The previous times it happened at a stoplight with enough room in front to hit the brake. Not this time.

4 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/11/2019

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 70-75 mph in the rain, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was unable to remember what was done to slow and stop the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

5 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2018

I had experienced a shudder, pop, revving rpms of the vehicles before a sudden power loss at highway speed (65mph). I was unable to accelerate and had limited steering to get off the highway safely. The vehicle had stalled by the time I was on the side of the road. I was then unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. A towing service was called to bring it to a local dealership. Within an hour time period the vehicle rapidly lost electrical power and hazard lights were no longer functional. This unfortunately was late at nighttime, making the visibility of the vehicle very minimal. The vehicle was evaluated at a local dealership and reported that there was a software problem with the charging systems of the car. The system was updated, but the dealership could not provide an explanation for the revving engine, shuddering, power loss and stalling that occurred prior to the inability to restart the vehicle on the side of the road.

6 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/07/2018

While driving slowly on street or pulling into intersection after light turned green, car has apparently slipped into neutral five times in the last two years. No ability to accelerate until put car into park and then into drive. No warning lights or alarms. Dealer unable to duplicate and says without duplicating problem, cannot fix. This is a safety issue since can easily be rear ended or hit on side in intersection. I am now afraid to drive this car since do not know when problem will reoccur.

7 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/14/2018

After stopping at a stop sign on a city street, I tried to accelerate but there was a long hesitation followed by a surge of power. This happened on 2 occasions. I had the sales man drive the vehicle and also the service manager drove it for 1 week - neither times did this issue repeat itself. The dealership did not have any knowledge of this type of problem. I refused to drive this vehicle and returned it to the Subaru dealer in berlin, CT.

8 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2017

Eyesight technology warning showed inoperable along with lane departure and front end collision avoidance system. The car had been running less than 3 minutes after over 24 . Pulled over called dealer who attempted to walk me through reset. Unsuccessful no availability for service so scheduled an appointment 3 days later. Car warning lights cleared on their own. Showed advisor email from auto mess. From Subaru indicating warning light was an issue. Was told code would be checked but Subaru was aware of the issue when some cars were overheated. Dealership was advised to clear the code and send people on their way. No codes registered at all in the system and when I let them know that car was absolutely not overheated, I was told there was nothing that could be done because Subaru knows that when cars overheat it sometimes happens. Nothing could be done but the greater concern is that their premise of when the issue is occurring is inaccurate at least in our car's case and it did not appear, due to the repetition of the company contention that overheating was the cause of the issue nor were they willing to entertain any other scenario than that which Subaru already decided. Spoke with Subaru of America who 7/10/17 customer service who stated not aware of any issues but would look in to it. By the end of day 7. 13. 17.

9 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/16/2016

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. While the vehicle was secured in park with the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle lunged forward independently when the brake was released. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The driver then shifted into reverse and the vehicle accelerated independently in reverse. The driver shifted into drive and the vehicle independently accelerated forward again and crashed into the side of a building. The vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a tree coming to a stop. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer; however, a diagnostic test showed no fault codes. The approximate failure mileage was 1,100.

10 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2016

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. While depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, it accelerated and braked independently. The failure recurred various times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,300. The VIN was not provided.

11 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2016

While sitting still at a red light with my foot on the brake and the gear in drive, the car will suddenly lurch forward several feet. It happens with such force that it feels like I was rear-ended. This has happened occasionally since I purchased the car in January 2016. Always when at a full stop on flat and sloped surfaces. At first I thought it only happened when the ac was on, but it has happened with the ac off.

12 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 10/28/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the engine is not accelerating fast enough. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 112. Ad.

13 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 10/27/2015

We bought this vehicle basically for the safety features "eye sight" and enhanced safety system. I. E. Cruise that automatically keeps you a certain distance from the vehicle in front of you and stops when the car in front stops - trouble is you are going along and there is a line of cars stopped at a stop light - the car does not act like it is going to stop and certainly does not keep the "4 car distance" until you get scared and brake - not going to crash to see if it will actually stop.


Other Vehicle Speed Control related problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback


Safety Ratings of Outback Cars
Fuel Economy of Outback Vehicles
Outback Service Bulletins
Outback Safety Recalls
Outback Defect Investigations