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: electrical system
93 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2019
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION CARMUST BE LEFT UNLOCKED WITH KEY IN IT WHEN PARKED - THIS CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE CAR CAN BE STOLEN OR INTRUDER CAN COME INTO CAR. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAD A REVISED PART 35122FJ033 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DESPITE BEING A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE CONSUMER MUST PAY THE $400 FOR THE REPAIR.
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2019
INTERMITTENT IGNITION ISSUE WILL NOT ALWAYS RELEASE KEY WHEN AUTO IS TURNED OFF. THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO AFFECT IT.DOES NOT ALLOW ROTATION TO THE RELEASE KEY POSITION.SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN AUTO BACK ON, BACK OUT, AND PULL IN WITH WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL IN PERFECT STRAIGHT ALIGNMENT, WHICH SEEMS TO ALLOW ME TO TURN KEY TO RELEASE KEY POSITION.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jun 21, 2019
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RANDOMLY GOES OFF WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER IN THE CAR OR NOT. THE SEAT BELT ALARM FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE GOES OFF WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. AIRBAG SENSOR SAYS "OFF" WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, AS I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT AIRBAG IS TRULY FUNCTIONAL, AND ALSO AN ANNOYANCE, AS THE SEATBELT ALARM DINGS WHILE I'M DRIVING.
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2019
THE REAR HATCH DOOR HAS OPENED THREE TIMES WITHOUT MY DOING ANYTHING TO OPEN IT.. EACH TIME I HAVE FOUND THE DOOR UP AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY CARPORT. I LIVE ALONE AND NO ONE ELSE HAS ACCESS TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS.
Electrical system, Engine, May 22, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE NEIGHBOR NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE NEARBY MOTOR HOME AND HOUSE ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WERE DESTROYED ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2019
WE'VE HAD THE CAR FROM NEW LEASE THE BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. AFTER THE 2ND TIME, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID BATTERY AND CHARGER WERE FINE. IT IS NOT FINE IF THE BATTERY CAN'T HOLD ENOUGH POWER TO START CAR AFTER LEAVING KEY ON ACC FOR 15 MINUTES WITH NO LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NOTHING KNOWINGLY DRAWING POWER. EVEN WHEN THE BATTERY STARTS THE CAR NORMALLY, CRANKING IS SLOW, ALMOST UNABLE TO CRANK. I HAVE HAD TO RESCUE MY WIFE, HER SON-IN-LAW HAS HAD TO, BUT WHAT IF WE AREN'T AVAILABLE. A CAR SHOULD BE GENERALLY ABLE TO START UNLESS YOU'VE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON FOR HOURS. THE LAST SITUATION, DRIVEN TO MCDONALD'S, PARKED AND ENGINE OFF, KEY WAS TURNED TO ACC TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW; NOTHING ELSE. AFTER 15-20 MINUTES, CAR WOULD NOT START, DEAD BATTERY. I HAD TO COME AND JUMP IT.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2018
MY VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY TOWARD THE END OF A DAY-LONG DRIVE, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, HILL ASSIST, EYESIGHT, AND OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM DISABLED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CLEAR WEATHER WHEN A DRIVER EXPECTS IT TO WORK. THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE WAS UNNERVING, LATE ON A THURSDAY NIGHT, ON A HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WHEN NOTHING WAS OPEN. TURNS OUT THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IT DESERVES A RECALL!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2018
WATER IS ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CARPET IS STARTING TO SMELL OF MILDEW. I AM AFRAID OF THE REACTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WATER. I NOTIFIED MY DEALERSHIP AND AWAITING A RESPONSE. MEANWHILE, I TAKING MY CAR TO BE SERVICED.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2018
I DROVE FROM NJ TO ME (BOUGHT IN 2017). I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE/PASS CARS FROM THE LEFT LANE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. AFTER 5 HRS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY & MADE A RIGHT ONTO A MAIN ST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT IT PULL BACK & MY WHEELS LOCK UP. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING OR GOT A FLAT & WAS RIDING ON MY RIMS. FROM THE RIGHT LANE I MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER-IT JERKED ROUGHLY BUT REMAINED STUCK. I WALKED AROUND IT & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG ON THE OUTSIDE. I WAITED 2.5 HRS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME 6 MINS AWAY TO OUR HOTEL. I CALLED A FEW LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. NONE COULD SEE ME FOR A WEEK SO MY PLAN WAS TO BRING IT TO THE HOTEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID MY CALIPER WAS STICKING & RECOMMENDED I HAVE IT TOWED TO SUBARU SINCE NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE IT AT THE HOTEL. SUBARU CALLED/SAID SOMEONE PULLED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL PLUG & IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THEY BLAMED THE OIL CHANGE GUY, SAYING HE MADE AN ERROR (THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NEAR THE OIL DRAIN PLUG) & THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DIFF THEY MEANT WAS THE FRONT DIFF-THEY ARE CLOSE. THERE ARE 2 DIFFS & THE REAR DIFF IS WHERE MY ISSUE WAS-10 FT AWAY FROM OIL DRAIN. I'VE ONLY HAD OIL/BRAKE PAD CHANGES & NEITHER HAD A REASON TO TOUCH ANY DIFF. THAT WORK IS RECOMMENDED BETWEEN 30-50K MILES & I HAD 31K. I DROVE A RENTAL TO NJ WHILE MY CAR WAITS IN NH. I TALKED TO CORPORATE/SERVICE ALL WEEK BUT THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME EVEN THOUGH I MAKE A VALID POINT. THEY ASKED WHO DID THOSE ROUTINE SERVICES. I SHARED THE INFO & ASKED WHY IT WAS RELEVANT. HE "HINTED" THAT IT COULD VOID THE WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THAT WAS WHY MY CLAIM WAS DENIED BUT HE SAID HE DIDN'T SAY THAT WAS THE REASON. IT'S ILLEGAL TO TELL CUSTOMERS ONLY SUBARU CAN SERVICE THEIR CARS. EXPERIENCED MECHANICS SAY IF ANYONE PULLED THE DIFF PLUG IN NJ I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT TO ME-5 HRS AWAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THEN TO SUBARU OF ENGLEWOOD (135 SOUTH DEAN STREET, ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631, (201) 816-6000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND LEARNED OF MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES, WHICH WERE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EVENT DATA RECORDER THAT THE DEALERS DID NOT HAVE AND THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT IF THEY DECIDE TO SEND THE EQUIPMENT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TO INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING DAMAGE.*JS
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2017
I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND IT'S ALREADY STALLED TWICE TIMES. BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR JUST STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECREASE SPEED. BOTH TIMES, I MY GAS METER SAID THAT I HAD OVER 50 MILES OF GAS LEFT IN MY CAR. ITS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, I HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD.
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FITZGERALD TOYOTA (907 N FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20879) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2016
WE GOT OUR 2016 SUBARU FORESTER PREMIUM 2.5I FROM BAY RIDGE DEALER IN BROOKLYN ON JUNE 7,2016.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SOME TIME. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SUGGEST OR PERFORM ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 21, 2016
NON-TURBO MODEL STALLS IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. FIRST AIR CONDITIONER SHUTS OFF, ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL, THEN ENGINE STALLS. NOTHING UNUSUAL PRIOR TO SHUTTING OFF. VEHICLE BECOMES NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WITH LIMITED BRAKING AND STEERING. CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY RE-START. THIS HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES SINCE NEW; DEALER HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM, BUT HAS SEEN VIDEO OF THE CAR STALLING IN TRAFFIC THAT MY WIFE TOOK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR, MOVING AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEED EACH TIME, WITH AC OPERATING AND NO OTHER ACCESSORIES OR UNUSUAL SITUATIONS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2016
MY 2016 SUBARU LOST ALL POWER 160 MILES FROM MY HOME ON INTERSTATE 40 IN LEXINGTON NORTH CAROLINA.....I WAS SOLD THIS STARLINK ENHANCED ROADSIDE ASSISTACE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR.....WELL THIS SYSTEM FAILED MISERABLY AND I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER....I WAS STUCK ON A BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER AND EXPLAINED TO BOTH OPERATORS ON STARLINK AFTER MY FIRST 4 ATTEMPTS TO REACH EMERGENCY SERVICES FAILED AFTER HITTING THE "SOS" BUTTON ABOVE MY HEAD....FINALLY IT CAME ON....THE OPERATOR HAD NO CLUE WHERE MY LOCATION WAS.....SUBARU TOUTS THIS SERVICE AS "STARLINK WILL KNOW YOUR EXACT COORDINATES" WELL THAT COULD NOT BE ANYTHING FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH...."CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT MILE MARKER YOU ARE AT"...NO I SAID....."ANY LLANDMARKS YOU CAN SEE" HE SAID......"UM NO I SAID...I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE"....YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION THAN THIS" HE HAD THE NERVE TO SAY....."I SAID FOR WHAT REASON DID I PAY $150 FOR A SERVICE THAT GAVE ME A VERY DANGEROUS FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.....ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND SUBARUS MARKETING MATERIAL AND FALSE ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM....I AM HAVING TRACTOR TRAILERS PASSING ME AT OVER 70 MILES AN HOUR LITERALLY 4 FEET FROM ME....I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND SEEK PROTECTION IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER BEHIND A METAL BARRIER ON THE BRIDGE.....I WAS TOLD MY TOW TRUCK WOULD TAKE 2 HOURS TO GET TO ME......SOME HOW AN HOUR LATER I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO START AND MOVE IT TO A SAFER PLACE JUST OFF THE NEXT EXIT.....SOME ONE WILL DIE FROM THE LACK OF THIS SYSTEM DELIVERING ON ITS BOLD PROMISES....IS IT GOING TO BE AFTER I SEND THIS LETTER AND IT IS IGNORED?