Model year guide

2016 Subaru WRX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Subaru WRX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 22 on record.

2016 Subaru WRX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Subaru WRX at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints34
Combined19–23 mpg
Typical price$25,489

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2016 Subaru WRX recalls 3

Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking NHTSA Campaign #15V366000 · 12/06/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyes…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger NHTSA Campaign #16V162000 · 21/03/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this re…

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #22V522000 · 21/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2016 Subaru WRX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2016 Subaru WRX MPG & running costs

Combined19–23 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,933

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2016 Subaru WRX worth?

Low
$18,999
Typical price
$25,489
High
$32,985

From 20 comparable 2016 Subaru WRX listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Subaru WRX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,665
Fuel only$19,665
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Subaru WRX trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Premium + MR · Limited + MR · Limited + MR + KA + NAVI(H/K) + BSD · STi · STI Limited + MR + KA + NAVI(H/K) + BSD + Lip Spoiler · STI + KA + NAVI(H/K) · ST + KA
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl

2016 Subaru WRX vehicles on record

2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Premium + MRJF1VA1E67G9834865 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MR + KA + NAVI(H/K) + BSDJF1VA1L60G9811754 2016 Subaru WRX ST + KAJF1VA2U60G9814173 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B69G9818963 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B6XG9821435 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B63G9804105 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MRJF1VA1J64G9804597 2016 Subaru WRX Premium + MRJF1VA1E60G9803862 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MR + KA + NAVI(H/K) + BSDJF1VA1L65G9834625 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MRJF1VA1J62G9803951 2016 Subaru WRX STiJF1VA2M64G9819067 2016 Subaru WRX STiJF1VA2M60G9800516 2016 Subaru WRX STI Limited + MR + KA + NAVI(H/K) + BSD + Lip SpoilerJF1VA2Z67G9802272 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX STI + KA + NAVI(H/K)JF1VA2V61G9819641 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B62G9816343 2016 Subaru WRX Premium + MRJF1VA1E65G9819636 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Premium + MRJF1VA1E6XG9801617 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B64G9802654 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MRJF1VA1J69G8828819 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B68G9804276 2016 Subaru WRX BaseJF1VA1B67G9812031 2016 Subaru WRX 2016 Subaru WRX Limited + MRJF1VA1J64G9808830

Other Subaru WRX model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2015 2013 2012 2011 2008 2006 2004

2016 Subaru WRX — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Subaru WRX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru WRX. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru WRX?

Across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru WRX get?

The 2016 Subaru WRX has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 2016 Subaru WRX worth?

Comparable 2016 Subaru WRX listings run roughly $18,999–$32,985, typically around $25,489 (from 20 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.