2016 SUBARU IMPREZA Complaints

After turning off the engine in Park, the keys are not being released from the ACC position of the ignition in my 2016 Subaru Impreza, which has 32,000 miles. I must repeatedly depress the shift lever and/or shift gears back and forth and/or restart and turn off the car in order to get the key out. This has been going on for two months now for at least half the time although not every time I turn off the car. There are no warning messages or diagnostic lights, just the malfunction itself. The issue has been documented in TSB 16-112-18 in numerous models of Subaru. My spouse and I have contacted Subaru of America and a local Subaru dealer, who have disclaimed responsibility for the problem, but did admit that this was a known issue. The dealer also insinuated that the fault could be the customers' by spilling beverages or something into the shifter linkage. As indicated in the YouTube printout I have attached (Yakfish Taco 2014 - 2018 Subaru Forester Key Stuck in Ignition - Quick fix solution), many people are working around this problem by disabling the key removal safety feature in the wiring of the steering column. This allows the key to be removed from the ignition at any time, such as when the vehicle is driving or stopped but not in Park. It is my belief that people are going to die from this. Subaru should be forced to issue a recall.

The vehicle's engine displayed an "check engine" light, the cruise control indicator light flashed on and off continuously when not engaged at a standstill, and the VDC vehicle dynamics control off indicator remained lit. This occurred while the vehicle was parked and these indicators came on when the engine was switched on. When driving a noticeable decrease in engine performance and louder exhaust noise was evident. Took vehicle to dealer and subsequently was informed that there was a complete four valve engine failure that would require a complete overhaul of engine at an extremely high cost. The safety issue would be if this had occurred at highway speeds potentially losing control of vehicle causing accident. This was the second time this has occurred with this particular vehicle. When purchased new in 2016 after roughly 38k miles engine failed and had to be rebuilt at dealer cost. This current failure occurred at just under 101k miles, so this second failure occured at approximately 60k miles after first repair. This indicates to me that: 1. Poor engine quality, 2. Poor repair parts, 3. Poor quality control at the factory, 4, Poor repair service. As of writing of this complaint vehicle is still at the dealer undergoing repair which according to service rep will take a few days. We believe the cost of this repair should lay at the feet of Subaru for producing a defective engine.

There seems to be an issue with keys getting stuck in the ignition on a lot of various years and makes of Subaru's. So much so, that Subaru put out a service bulletin (Bulletin Number: 16-112-18R) to remedy this. Unfortunately, those who are out of the warranty time frame, are no longer eligible for a replacement without charge. This is not a safety issue per-say, but rather an issue of the car possibly getting stole due to Subaru's unwillingness to make this a recall issue and making it free to current owners regardless of the warranty status. What I would like for you folks to do is push subaru's hand into making this a recall issue and fixing the issue free of charge even if the vehicle is outside of the warranty time period. Thank you for taking the time to read my concern. PS: I got the recall serviced on this vehicle on 09/17/2021

Windshield spontaneously cracked. Additionally, windshield wiper reservoir leaks but dealer says it’s fine.

The component / system that fails is the fuel system / fuel pump. The 2016 subaru impreza has the same fuel pump that later motels have and they where recalled due to the fuel not being delivered correctly from the fuel tank to the engine. it is typically winter fuels that make the fuel pump fail. (there is a handful of information on other websites) The safety issue is that the car will shut off and is difficult to get started again. this happens when the car has about 2 gallons left in the tank or 50 ish miles to empty. this situation has happened to me three (3) times on the highway at about 70 miles an hour. this also happens most commonly in the winter due to the available fuel. this is also a safety issue because the car has NO heat and you could be stranded with a baby and this could become life threatening. This problem has been reported on other websites and reproduced in my car 3 times. When I got my car towed to a Kia dealer (closest one) they said it was a mechanical issue with the fuel system. The Kia dealer told me that the issue is due to winter fuel and low pressure in the fuel line. they recommended that I keep my car at or above 100 miles to empty. (so far they are correct) This issue doesn't trigger any warning lamps / lights, or set any codes off. The car will just shut off and you will have to get more pressure into the fuel system.

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive into the opposite lane and into the neighbor’s yard. After shifting into neutral, the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, on several occasions when turning the vehicle off, the key would remain stuck in the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,800. The Vin was not available.

For the past few months, whenever I reach my destination, my key has been getting stuck in the ignition when I'm trying to park the car. This happens intermittently although it's becoming more frequent. I park the car, shift into "P", turn the key and it only turns partially . I have to keep shifting in & out of "P" until it finally turns the rest of the way and comes out. I've started to carry a second key with me. I have an appointment with a dealer next week.

DRIVING AND HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOT DARK OUT. THE CAR WAS FINE PRIOR TO TODAY. I WAS ON A CITY STREET JUST AFTER A SNOWSTORM AND ROADS WERE PLOWED.

ONCE THE CAR IS PARKED, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM GRADUALLY GOT MORE FREQUENT OVER THE LAST YEAR UNTIL IT GOT STUCK EVERY TIME WE DROVE. IT WOULD TAKE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF TO GET THE KEY OUT. SUBARU OF AMERICA DID AGREE TO FIX IT AT NO CHARGE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

KEY LOCKS INTO IGNITION AND VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED AND THE SHIFT MOVED FROM PARK POSITION BACK TO PARK POSITION A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE IE. FAILING LOCK CYLINDER/PARK SENSOR PROBLEMS. WILL THERE BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AND A POSSIBLE RECALL? MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000M ON IT.