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: other or unspecified
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2018
BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED SIRIUS RADIO DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO HAVE TO TUNE THE RADIO MANUALLY, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER FROM CAREFUL OPERATION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY THE SUBARU DEALER TO CORRECT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S CLAIM TO SELL SAFE VEHICLES!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2018
I COPIED THIS MESSAGE FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINT WHICH EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TRYING TO COMPLAINT. SUBARU IS KNOWINGLY BUILDING ITS CARS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WHICH WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF THE AIR BAG WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED UNDER NORMAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS IN THE 2016 AND 2017 OWNERS MANUAL THAT IF THERE IS A CELL PHONE OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR THEN THE AIR BAG SENSORS COULD MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO STATES THAT IF YOUR PASSENGER IS WEARING A JACKET OR SWEATER THIS COULD CAUSE THE SENSORS TO TURN THE LIFE SAVING AIR BAG OFF. MY 17 TEENAGER HAD NO ELECTRONICS BUT A SWEATER ON AND IT SHUT OFF AIR BAG WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. HOW IS THIS LEGAL TO KNOWINGLY SELL A CAR WITH FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THIS LINK TO SUBARU'S WEBSITE EXPLAINS HOW THEIR AIRBAG SENSOR WORKS HTTP://WWW.STANLEYSUBARU.COM/BLOG/2012/AUGUST/6/HOW-DOES-THE-OCCUPANT-DETECTION-SYSTEM-ODS-WORK-IN-MY-SUBARU.HTM
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2018, crash
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING 2 ACCIDENTS. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK & I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 15, 2018
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I'M BRINGING MY FORESTER BACK TO DEALER DO TO THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR FROM PARK THREE LIGHTS SHOWED UP ON THE DASH ONE BEING TRACTION CONTROLL, SECOND WAS THE ABS LIGHT AND LAST ONE WAS THE CAR ON HILL LIGHT AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT SHIFT OUT OF PARK ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE BUT ALL THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS IN DECEMBER 2017 THEY SAID IT WAS THE SENSOR BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL, WELL LITTLE BEHOLD FOR THE SECOND TIME I'M BRINGING MY FORESTER BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE AS ITS ONLY BEEN 4 MONTHS. I BOUGHT THE CAR OF THERE LOT BRAND NEW IN MAY 2016 I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON IT NOW.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2018
I OWN A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER WITH EYESIGHT, STARLINK, AND THE ALL-WEATHER PACKAGE (HEATED SEATS, MIRRORS, AND WINDSHIELD-WIPER DE-ICER). I LOVE MOST ASPECTS OF MY SUBARU, HOWEVER, THE TOUCHSCREEN ON THE COUNSEL HAS AN ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLY BLINDING GLARE WHEN THE MOONROOF COVER IS OPEN TO LIGHT. I HAD TO GET A PIECE OF FELT TO PUT OVER THE SCREEN SO THAT WHEN I WANT TO OPEN THE MOONROOF I AM ABLE TO COVER THE TOUCHSCREEN GLASS TO PREVENT A WRECK FROM HAVING LOST ROAD VISIBILITY! I HAVE SINCE VISITED OTHER VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR TOUCHSCREENS - THESE MANUFACTURER MAKE/MODEL TOUCHSCREENS DO NOT HAVE ANY GLARE AT ALL! WHAT'S UP WITH SUBARU NOT CORRECTING THIS INCREDIBLE SAFETY FLAW? BY THE WAY, DON'T EVEN BOTHER WITH AN "ANTI GLARE SCREEN COVER". IT IS DIFFICULT TO APPLY CORRECTLY AND WHEN ON IT JUST BARELY CUTS DOWN ON THE MISERABLE GLARE. IN ADDITION, THE WINTER WEATHER CAUSES THE APPLICATION (COVER) TO WARP AND BECOME QUITE FOGGY AND UGLY. IT APPEARS THAT THE TOUCHSCREEN SUN GLARE SAFETY ISSUE IS ACROSS MULTIPLE SUBARU MODELS. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/163825-GLARE-REFLECTION-INFOTAINMENT-UNIT-5.HTML
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2018
SUBARU MANUFACTURED VENTILATION SYSTEM WITHOUT PROVISION TO SCREEN RODENTS FROM ENTERING CABIN AND PERMITTING THEM TO INFEST THE INTERIOR TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSABLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS WILLING TO CHARGE US TO CLEAN UP THE MESS, BUT WOULD NOT MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM, SO THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT SUBARU MANUFACTURED PLASTIC COMPONENTS IN THE CAR WITH SOY, WHICH ACTS AS AN ATTRACTANT TO THE RODENTS. SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED ZERO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, WHICH WE FEEL THEY SHOULD RESOLVE DUE TO THE RELATIVELY LOW COST TO SOLVE AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. WE EVENTUALLY SCREENED OFF ALL THE OPENINGS OURSELVES, AS WELL AS CLEANED UP THE MESS FROM THE INFESTATION WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO, LEAVING THE REST FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO CLEAN TWICE, FOR WHICH WE HAD TO PAY DEARLY.
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2017
THE COMPANY PROVIDED (EXTRA COST) RUBBER FLOOR MATS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND SLIPPERY. FOR SOME INEXPLICABLE REASON THE GRID LINES RUN FRONT TO BACK (NOT CROSSWISE OR DIAGONAL), SO WHEN FLOOR MATS ARE WET (RAIN, SNOW OCCUR OFTEN HERE) DRIVER'S FEET SLIP WHICH IS DANGEROUS WITH GAS AND BRAKING PEDALS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2017
MY AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON TO SIGNAL THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING. IT GOES OFF AND ON AT WILL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES NOW AND FINALLY THEY THINK THEY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, BUT WILL NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. THE BLUETOOTH IS SO BAD THAT THE PEOPLE I TALK TO CANNOT HEAR ME. BIG SAFETY CONCERNS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
I OWN A THREE-MONTH OLD 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING BREATHING ISSUES SINCE THE WEATHER HAS TURNED HOT. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS MOLD. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID NO MOLD FOUND. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT CAN BE. I BELIEVE SOMETHING IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS CAUSING AN ALLERGIC REACTION. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST NEW CAR AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS REACTION BEFORE, HOWEVER, THIS IS MY FIRST NEW SUBARU.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 18, 2016
THREE TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS, MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL THREE TIMES THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING WITH 1/4 OR LESS OF GAS (BUT THESE INCIDENTS DID NOT OCCUR DUE TO HAVING RUN OUT OF GAS). ALL THREE TIMES I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR DRIVE UPHILL. THE VEHICLE STALLED ALL TIMES AT AROUND 65-75 MPH OF SPEED, CAUSING ME GREAT CONCERN WHEN I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER ON HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAYS SUCH AS CT ROUTE 84 AND VT ROUTE 91. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO BERTERA SUBARU IN HARTFORD, CT, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT, AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX MY ISSUE UNTIL IT HAPPENED MORE CONSISTENTLY. I MENTIONED RECALL WTA-62 AND WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. RECALL WQZ-61 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2016
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED THE CURB AND MEDIAN HEADING TOWARDS A BUILDING. ALL THE WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID BUILDING AND THE CAR STOPPED. TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2016
SUBARU EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY THAT PREVENTS ACCIDENTS AND SAVE LIVES IS NOT OFFERED ON SUBARU FORESTER BASIC MODEL - SUBARU CREATED 2 CLASSES OF CITIZENS - WHO CAN AFFORD EXPENSIVE PREMIUM TRIMS OF SUBARU FORESTER (YOU CAN HAVE LIFE SAVING TECHNOLOGY) AND THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD ONLY BASIC TRIM (YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE YOUR CAR TO BE EQUIPMENT WITH LIFE SAVING EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY - NO MONEY - DIE THEN). THE REASON - MONEY GRABBING! SUBARU WANTS TO FORCE BUYERS TO BUY MORE EXPENSIVE TRIMS. BUT THIS TECHNOLOGY IS MOST NEEDED FOR PARENTS (WHO CAN BE DISTRACTED BY I.E. CHOKING CHILD) AND PARENTS USUALLY HAVE A LOT OF EXPENSES AND CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE TRIMS. THIS MONEY GRABBING DISCRIMINATION IS CRIMINAL AND KILLS CHILDREN! I SEE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY PARENTS DISTRACTED BY CHILDREN - HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE BECAUSE SUBARU WANTS TO GRAB MORE MONEY AND DO NOT OFFER LIFE SAVING EYESIGHT ON BASIC TRIM OF SUBARU FORESTER. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL BE WRITING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS (I WANT CONGRESS TO HAVE A HEARING ON THAT CRIMINAL DISCRIMINATION THAT KILLS CHILDREN) AND YOUR ACTION TAKEN WILL BE INCLUDED IN THAT HEARING.
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?
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2016
EYESIGHT SYSTEM DID NOT PICK UP VEHICLE IN FROMT OF CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE STRAIGHT TOWARD AT 70MPH, I HAD TO BRAKE THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. DEALER SAID THEY TESTED CAR AND SYSTEM WAS WORKING FINE. THE SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT THE LARGE VEHICLE IN FRONT.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 30, 2016, crash
IN A CLOSED PARKING LOT, I WAS GETTING READY TO PARK IN A SPACE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I CUT THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THEN EASED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MANEUVER INTO THE PARKING SPOT. I PUSHED THE BRAKE AGAIN IN PREPARATION TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS AND FINISH PARKING, NO SPEED REGISTERING ON THE GAUGE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND JUMPED. I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND SLAMMED IT BACK DOWN ON THE BRAKE ATTEMPTING TO HALT THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, WITH MY FOOT STILL FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN, AND FASTER, RIGHT INTO A WALL. I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, SO THE IMPACT WAS NOT HEAD-ON, BUT RATHER CONTINUING THE RIGHT-TURN'S ANGLE, AND IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT-END. 2 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH A SLIGHT DELAY, CAUSING SEVERE BRUISING TO MY LEGS WHICH AFFECT MY WALKING, AND MUSCLE TEARS CAUSING SEVERE NECK AND SPINE PAIN. THOUGH I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT DURING THE COLLISION, IT RETRACTED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, AND WE WERE UNABLE TO DISLODGE IT WHEN WE HAD TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FOR TOWING. TO REITERATE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT MINIMAL SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSING THE BRAKE.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2015
EYESIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENT SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. ON AN INCREASINGLY FREQUENT BASIS, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL AND EYESIGHT ARE ENGAGED, BOTH WILL DISABLE AND CAN BE A FEW SECONDS TO MINUTES BEFORE THE EYESIGHT RE-ENABLES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN MANUALLY BE RE-ENGAGED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, VEHICLE GOES FROM AUTO-DRIVE TO MANUAL-DRIVE. ALSO, AN E1 ERROR APPEARED ON THE ODOMETER DISPLAY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2015
MODELS W/ MANUAL CLIMITE CONTROL: VERY HARD TO SEE SETTINGS, ESPECIALLY IN DAY TIME, AND IF NEED TO ADJUST WHILE DRIVING SUCH AS TO DE-FOG WINDOWS, MAY RESULT IN DRIVING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WRECKING.