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
414 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 14, 2019
WEAK OR THIN WINDSHIELD THAT CHIPS/CRACKS EASILY CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT/RAIN/SNOW ETC.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2019
NOTICED A CRACK IN MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ONE MORNING WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND BY THE END OF THE DAY THE CRACK HAD MOVED INTO MY LINE OF VISION AND WOULD HAVE IMPAIRED MY DRIVING, IF I WOULD HAVE NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY I HAD IT IMMEDIATELY FIXED BY SAFELIGHT, WHICH COST $452.03
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2019
HAVING TROUBLE GETTING KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN "PARK", I CANNOT TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY TO THE "LOCK" POSITION SO IT CAN BE REMOVED. INSTEAD, THE KEY WILL STOP AT THE "ACC" POSITION, WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM TURNING THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF. EVEN WITH CONTINUALLY MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT BACK TO "NEUTRAL" THEN INTO "PARK", AS WELL AS TURNING THE KEY TO "ON" AND BACK, IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO RECEIVE THE SIGNAL THAT ALLOWS ME TO TURN IT TO "LOCK" SO I CAN REMOVE IT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, AND NOW HAPPENS MOST TIMES WHEN I PARK THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2019
UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. REQUIRES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF JIGGLING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER TO FINALLY FREE THE KEY. VEHICLE IS OFF AND NOT MOVING WHEN THIS OCCURS. A QUICK BIT OF RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON ALL SUBARU MODELS NOT JUST THE FORESTER. SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. ONLY 40K MILES MY VEHICLE, OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR IS OVER 500 DOLLARS. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS NOT A RECALL IF IT HAPPENING ON ALL SUBARU MODELS, AN OBVIOUS DEFECT HERE.
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.
Suspension, Oct 6, 2019
WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY TO PERFORM BRAKE PAD MAINTENANCE, I NOTICED THAT THE SPRING ON THE REAR LEFT SHOCK WAS BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM. VEHICLE HAS 42660 MILES ON IT.
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
Power train, Oct 1, 2019
CVT CODES P0700 AND P2764 CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT NEEDS A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION AS FIXING JUST THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WILL WORK. THE CAR WAS DOING THIS FROM A STARTING POINT AND STAYED ON NO MATTER SPEED. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CVT...$7,731.00 TO REPLACE
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.
Steering, Sep 23, 2019
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TOLD IF WAS THE ELECTRONIC / ELECTRICAL "CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM?" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND JUST AILED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2019
UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND THE CAR IS STATIONARY. PER TSP 16 112 18R THE CAUSE IS CONTAMINATION OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH INTERNAL COMPONENTS. WE OWN 2 IDENTICAL CARS PURCHASED THE SAME DAY. BOTH HAVE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THIS EVERY DAY SINCE WE HIT 30,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2016, SO WARRANTY NO LONGER COVERS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS (MAYBE THOUSANDS) OF POSTINGS ON MANY FORUMS INDICATING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN US HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE CAR WHEN WE PARK SOMEWHERE. IT TAKES AROUND 3-4 MINUTES TO START AND RESTART THE CAR AND MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS IS NOT THE SITUATION THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU JUST NEED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2019
UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. PER TSP 16 112 18R THE CAUSE IS CONTAMINATION OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH INTERNAL COMPONENTS. WE OWN 2 IDENTICAL CARS PURCHASED THE SAME DAY. BOTH HAVE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THIS EVERY DAY SINCE WE HIT 30,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2016, SO WARRANTY NO LONGER COVERS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS (MAYBE THOUSANDS) OF POSTINGS ON MANY FORUMS INDICATING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN US HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE CAR WHEN WE PARK SOMEWHERE. IT TAKES ROUND 3-4 MINUTES TO START AND RESTART THE CAR AND MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS IS NOT THE SITUATION THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU JUST NEED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD WITH NO VEHICLES ANYWHERE AROUND OR ANY ROAD DEBRIS HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE WINDSHIELD GLASS IMPACT. SAW NO DAMAGE. NO CRACK APPEARED. 4 HOURS LATER HAD 12 INCH CRACK FROM BOTTOM LEFT BASE OF WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AS NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS AROUND ME WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WEATHER WAS A SUNNY 75 AT THE TIME. BAD GLASS? VEHICLE HAS EYESIGHT. IN MOTION AT 50 MPH, GOING STRAIGHT ON COUNTRY 2 LANE ROAD. BEGINNING OF FRACTURE IS TOO LOW TO HAVE BEEN AN IMPACT.
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
Service brakes, Sep 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO #1 COCHRAN SUBARU BUTLER COUNTY (4520 WILLIAM PENN HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146, (412) 245-4580), BUT COULD NOT BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.