2016 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 414 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 40 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, turbo/superchargerMar 21, 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.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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 recall is WTA-62.
Campaign 16V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
99 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seats, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2019
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ABOUT SEAT SENSOR AND AIRBAG DEFECT. NEED TO,GET,THIS REPAIRED AS A RECALL, BUT PARTS SUPPOSEDLY NOT YET AVAILABLE. ERROR MESSAGES SINCE AUGUST WHEN DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN AIR BAG ISSUE.
Air bags, Oct 27, 2019
FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL INDICATE IT IS "OFF" INTERMITTENTLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR'S IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND DRIVING. I BROUGHT MY SUBARU TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF OVER $1,500 IN REPAIRS DUE TO THE NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. AT THAT POINT, HE SAID TO CONTACT THE SUBARU CORPORATION AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TO FILE A CLAIM. AS OF YESTERDAY (10/26/19) MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS "OFF"CONTINUOUSLY WITH A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE SEAT. THE RED AIRBAG ICON IS LIT UP WHEN THE CAR'S IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND WHILE DRIVING. ON THE DASHBOARD IT INDICATES THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS "OFF". I HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM STARLINK STATING TO TAKE IT TO A SUBARU RETAILER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SINCE I HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS, I WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU TOMORROW. AFTER RESEARCHING, I SAW THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN TO THIS PROBLEM AND WANTED TO ADD MY NAME TO THIS LIST.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2019
I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON IN THE MORNING AND A RED 'I' APPEARED AND A WARNING THAT SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. THE PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKING. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO SAY 'OFF' DESPITE THERE BEING WEIGHT IN THE SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE SEAT INCLUDING MOISTURE OR ANYTHING TO DAMAGE THE SEAT. HAPPENED COMPLETELY AT RANDOM.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2019
WHEN I START THE CAR, THIS INDICATOR TURNS ON: SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS "OFF" EVEN PERSON SITS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS STOPPED OR MOVING WHILE THE CAR IS STARTED.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2019, crash
ON OCTOBER 2ND 2019 I WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGES TO MY CAR WERE SO BAD THAT THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT DEEMED IT AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT SUBARUS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE SO THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. I'M NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE ABOUT THIS BUT IT IS SCARY THAT THIS HAPPENED.*DT*JB
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNS OFF WHILE A 130 LBS. PASSENGER IS RIDING IN THAT SEAT. ADJUSTING THE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE TRAVELING TURNS THE SENSOR BACK ON (INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS ON), BUT AS OF TODAY, 4-5 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD TURN OFF AGAIN...OCCURING 5 TIMES IN 35 MINUTES. I FEAR THAT IF WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG TO PROTECT MY WIFE AS A PASSENGER MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REGISTERS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IN SEAT. SUBARU DEALER FOUND CODES B1650, OCCUPANT DETECTION, AND CODE B1760, SENSOR MAT ABNORMAL. DETERMINED THAT SEAT BOTTOM WITH SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 10/2/19 QUOTE TO REPLACE AIRBAG WAS $1168.00. IS THIS ISSUE COVERED UNDER RECALL?
Air bags, Oct 1, 2019
PASSANGER AIRBAG IS OFF NO MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS IF IT IS SITTING STILL OR MOVING SO NOT SAFE FOR PASSANGERS
Air bags, Oct 1, 2019
FRONT SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. CODE SAYS THAT THE SEAT SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND AIRBAG STAYS OFF. MOVING, STATIONARY AND CODE WILL NOT RESET
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019
PASSENGER AIR BAG DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHT READS "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" REGARDLESS OF A PASSENGER BEING IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHUTS OFF WITHOUT CAUSE.
Air bags, Sep 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE INDICATOR DID NOT APPEAR. WHEN THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BECAUSE THE DEFECT MAY BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO #1 COCHRAN SUBARU OF BUTLER COUNTY (340 NEW CASTLE RD, BUTLER, PA 16001, 888-230-0231) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BY LETTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,767. *DT CONSUMER STATED NO EDITS EXCEPT TO SAY SUBARU REIMBURSED ME THE ENTIRE AMT I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AT #1 COCKRAN IN BUTLER. VIN NUMBER ######## 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB *TR*JB
Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
TOOK SUBURU IN FOR 30,000 MILE CHECK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. TOLD DEALERSHIP THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS INACTIVATED (CAUTION LIGHT ON) WHILE MY WIFE SAT IN THE SEAT. DEALER SAID "IT PROBABLY GOT WET". I TOLD DEALER REP WE ALWAYS GARAGE OUR CARS AND WE HAVEN'T SPILLED ANYTHING ON THE SEAT. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO FIX IT. AS WE LEFT THEY SAID THE CAUTION LIGHT WENT OUT, BUT IT WAS ON AGAIN BEFORE WE GOT HOME (ABOUT 40 MILES). AT THIS TIME THE CAUTION LIGHT STAYS ON ALMOST CONTINUALLY. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY/RECALL ISSUE TO ME.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 14, 2019
AIRBAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. SRS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON MOST OF THE TIME THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING. LIGHTS INDICATE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. DEALER HAS CHECKED COMPUTER; TOLD ME THAT I MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR, USUALLY WITH WATER. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN WET NOR HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING THAT COULD DAMAGE THE SENSOR. GOOGLE SEARCH BRINGS UP NUMEROUS CASES OF SAME ISSUE, INDICATING A POSSIBLE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I AM ADVOCATING FOR A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT.
Air bags, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FLATIRONS SUBARU AT 877-464-2714 LOCATED AT 5995 ARAPAHOE AVE, BOULDER, CO 80303) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. *DT *DT THE CONSUMER STATED SUBARU FOUND THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CODE AND WILL BE REPAIRED BY SUBARU, BUT THE CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 29, 2019
INTERMITTENT DASH LIGHT SAYING THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WITH PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. COMES ON IN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING BOTH..
Air bags, Aug 27, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE EARLY 2016, CURRENTLY UNDER 40K MILES. THE SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING SUDDENLY CAME ON STATING THE SRS SYSTEM NEEDS CHECKED. THE WARNING COMES AND DISAPPEARS SPORADICALLY. I TRIED WIGGLING AND TIGHTENING THE CONNECTION UNDERNEATH THE SEAT AND THE LIGHT WAS GONE FOR OVER A MONTH BUT IT CAME BACK AGAIN.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2019
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I AM TRIED TO CONTACT MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW DAYS WITH NO CALL BACK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RED WARNING INDICATOR ICON FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO SUBARU OF ROCHESTER (4840 MAINE AVE SE, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA 55904, (507) 285-4777) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2019
MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN BEGAN GIVING ME A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CENSOR ERROR. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IT JUST OUT OF THE BLUE APPEARED. I HAD TO TAKE MY FORESTER TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRUNSWICK SUBARU (2992 CENTER RD, BRUNSWICK, OH 44212, (330) 273-3300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOTTOM SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,200. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL- WHEN DRIVING THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT SWITCHES OFF EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I CANNOT LET ANYONE OCCUPY THE SEAT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
ODS / AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS WE DAMAGED THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. PART IS IN FOR REPAIR AND WE'RE TRYING TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO GET BACK INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE DO THE REPAIR AT OUR COST.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSORS ERRATICALLY REPORT A MALFUNCTION AND SUGGEST AN INSPECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONARY. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT. I CALLED SUBARU AMERICA AND BROUGHT THE CAR INTO NAPLETON SUBARU ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL ON JULY 24, 2019. ON THAT DATE I COULD NOT RECREATE THE ERROR MESSAGES. NAPLETON INSPECTED AND TOLD ME SYSTEM NEEDED A RESET WHICH THEY DID FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THERE WAS NO ERROR MESSAGE EITHER IMMEDIATELY BEFORE OR AFTER THE VISIT, I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER RESET WAS EFFECTIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS BACK. PICTURES ATTACHED AS WELL AS RECEIPT FROM NAPLETON DESCRIBING WORK PERFORMED. *TT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER TWICE AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE HAS BEEN FALSELY ACTIVATED. OR IF THERE IS A REAL MALFUNCTION.*JB
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE SENSOR CANNOT TELL WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY, SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. IN THE PAST MONTH, THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN ON AT ALL.
Air bags, Aug 11, 2019
WHEN IN MOTION, THE OCCUPANCY DETECTOR SENSOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN MY 2016 FORESTER AND ALSO HAPPENED IN MY 2014 FORESTER.