8 complaints reported

2016 Subaru WRX Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
8
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2024 Fire

The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2022
Feb 2023

I have faulty rear lights and a faulty rear view camera. According to MotorSafety.org there is currently a recall for this exact issue for WRX’s from 2015-2021. https://www.motorsafety.org/subaru-recalls-wrx-cars-over-faulty-rear-lights-rearview-camera-issue/

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Dec 2022

recurring battery drain, which has happened before. subaru dealer replaced the battery for the same reason less than 2 years ago. now it needs it again. car is inoperable as is.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2022
Jan 2022

Several batteries that have died prematurely, last one only 2 months since last use. Vehicle has refused to start on several occasions, despite the battery being okay. Suspect issues with controller area network.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Jan 2022

The battery on my 2016 Subaru WRX has drained - twice - while parked for a week or less. This has occurred before and after replacing the battery at the dealership. Both times the battery was recharged by AAA and driven for 30-45 minutes to bring the battery back to full charge.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Dec 2021

2016 WRX drains its battery while the vehicle is turned off. After 3 days of being outside in 20-40 degree Fahrenheit weather, the battery was completely flat and would not start. This has happened 2 winters in a row now.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Jun 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) FOR THE FAILURES AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2018
Mar 2018

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I KEPT GETTING "HEADLIGHT DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASH, WITH CONDENSATION BUILDING UP ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, BUT THE HEADLIGHT KEPT WORKING SO I GAVE IT A WEEK AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS COMPLETELY OUT. I TOOK IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE BULB. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN TO REPLACE THE BULB, THEY REALIZED MY CAR REQUIRES A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT. IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO YEARS AND IT COSTS $840 FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND $1000+ WITH LABOR JUST TO FIX A LOW BEAM. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPLETE PACKAGE AND IT WASN'T COVERED. THERE IS A BAD SEAL AND A BAD DESIGN IN THESE MODELS. TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE KIND OF ISSUES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU WRX, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2018

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Subaru WRX has 8 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.