2016 Subaru Outback Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AND WAS WAITING IN TRAFFIC TO TAKE A RAMP EXIT. OUR SUBARU OUTBACK'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. CAR HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK GEAR AND THEN RESTARTED BEFORE IT WAS DRIVE-ABLE. THIS SUDDEN STOPPING OF CAR IS HIGHLY WORRISOME.
THE 3.6R ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER COLD START DOES ABOUT 5 CYCLING SURGES OF ABOUT 300 RPM WITH TRANSMISSION IN FORWARD OR REVERSE WITH BRAKES APPLIED. THIS EVENT DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS STARTING WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN GEAR WITH BRAKES APPLIED. THE SURGE DOES NOT HAPPEN AFTER A SHORT WARM UP. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A TIGHT PARKING SITUATION OR WHEN DEPARTING A GARAGE.
THE 3.6R ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER COLD START DOES ABOUT 5 CYCLING SURGES OF ABOUT 300 RPM WITH TRANSMISSION IN FORWARD OR REVERSE AND BRAKES APPLIED. THIS EVENT DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN GEAR WITH BRAKES APPLIED. THE SURGE DOES NOT HAPPEN AFTER A SHORT WARM UP. IT DOES PRESENT A DRIVING PROBLEM WITH A TIGHT PARKING SITUATION OR TO DEPARTING A GARAGE.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE PLASTICS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE "NEW CAR SMELL" IS ESPECIALLY FRAGRANT, AND AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, I DEVELOP A METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LINGERS, EVEN IF I HAVE LEFT THE CAR. IT CAN LINGER FOR HOURS. I AM TAKING MEASURES TO WIPE OFF CHEMICALS THAT MAY RELEASE DURING A HOT DAY/OPEN THE WINDOWS, ETC. THIS SMELL IS SO INTENSE, HOWEVER, THAT THE TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND THE MOUTHS OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE AT TIMES. I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR HEALTH, FOR THE TOXIC GASES WE MAY BE BREATHING IN AND EVEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE APRIL 2016 (ABOUT TWO MONTHS) AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF IT GETTING BETTER. I HAVE READ THAT IT CAN TAKE UP TO 6 MONTHS FOR THE SMELL TO DIMINISH, BUT DOES THAT REALLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS WE ARE BEING SUBJECTED TO? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2016 Subaru Outback has 29 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.