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.
Air bags, Jul 2, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SHUTS OFF WHILE PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. REPORTED TO SUBARU AND WAS TOLD SEAT COVERS AND PHONE CHARGING CABLES MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM . UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OLDER SUBARU MODELS AND SUBARU WILL NOT FIX SO YOU HAVE A 50/50 CHANCE OF YOUR PASSENGER AIR BAG ENGAGING IN A ACCIDENT.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 29, 2018
DURING PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO SUFFER MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2018, MY VEHICLE HAS REPORTED PROBLEMS AFTER A MAJOR STORM WITH THE EYESIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM, ABS, HILL ASSIST, AND FUEL GAUGE. FYI-EYESIGHT INCLUDES THE DYNAMIC CRUISE CONTROL, CRASH AVOIDANCE, AND LANE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO OUR SUBARU DEALER/MAINTENANCE TEAM BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE.
Engine, May 3, 2018
CAR ACCELERATES QUICKLY AND LURCHES FORWARD WHEN SLIGHTLY TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES FROM START OF CAR AND DURING GENERAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
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.
Power train, Apr 7, 2018
BROKEN TRANSMISSION DUE TO BROKEN TRANSMISSION BELT AT 43,000 MILES. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A HUGE BANG, AND MY CAR ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED BUT THERE WAS NOBODY BEHIND ME. MY CAR BEGIN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. I TRIED TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AND UTILIZED OTHER TECHNIQUES, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NAPLES DEVOE SUBARU DEALER. EIGHT DAYS LATER, THEY CONFIRMED MY SUSPICIONS. MY CAR HAD A BROKEN TRANSMISSION AT 43,000 MILES. THIS COULD'VE ENDED MUCH DIFFERENTLY HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I NO LONGER BELIEVE MY SUBARU IS A SAFE VEHICLE. SUBARU HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SINCE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION RATHER THAN A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH CARRIES A BETTER WARRANTY. BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND DEVOE SUBARU IN NAPLES HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE, DISMISSIVE, DISRESPECTFUL, AND UNINTERESTED IN FIXING MY CAR IN A TIMELY, PROFESSIONAL MANNER. I WILL NO LONGER OWN A SUBARU. 30+ YEARS OF OWNING CARS WITH MANY OF THEM EXCEEDING 200,000 MILES AND NEVER HAVE I BEEN IN A CAR THAT CARRIED THE RISK OF KILLING ME. IF MY TRANSMISSION BELT HAD BROKEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY I MIGHT NOT BE HERE WRITING THIS REPORT. GET IT TOGETHER SUBARU, NOT FEELING THE LOVE!!
Engine, Mar 26, 2018
WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY WARMED UP, EITHER A HOT DAY OR A COLD DAY, DOESN'T MATTER, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR A COUPLE SECONDS WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC AFTER HAVING PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. IN OTHER WORDS, AFTER MAKING A STOP SOMEWHERE AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, AND THEN STARTING IT UP AGAIN AND TRAVELING A BLOCK OR SO, SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. YOU MAY BE ENTERING TRAFFIC FLOW AND NEED TO SPEED UP, AND IT WON'T GO. THE DEALER STONEWALLS BY SAYING THE ISSUE CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AND THEREFORE IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
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
Power train, Feb 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. KLAMATH FALLS SUBARU IN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON 97603 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,200. *TT *TR
Air bags, Feb 13, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS A CUSHION ON THE SEAT. THIS WAS NOT EXPLAINED TO ME UNTIL AFTER I COMPLAINED AND I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER THE CAR'S PURCHASE AND EVEN THEN I WOULD HAVE HAD TO KNOW THAT MY ARTHRITIS WAS GOING TO GET SEVERE ENOUGH TO NEED A CUSHION. THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS VERY DANGEROUS. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALSO WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT WHILE WET. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. *JS
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.
Air bags, Feb 6, 2018
KEEP GETTING MESSAGE "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" WHILE DRIVING. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHEN MESSAGE DISPLAYS. WHEN THE MESSAGE COMES UP, IT WILL STAY FOR A FEW HOURS TO A FEW DAYS. MY PASSENGER IS LEFT WITHOUT PROTECTION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
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, Dec 6, 2017
MY SUBARU HAS EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM SINCE JULY OF 2017. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN 2016, JOSEPH SUBARU IN FLORENCE, KY ON AUGUST 2, 2017. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A SWITCH MALFUNCTION UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. AFTER THREE WEEKS WITH NO RESPONSE, I CALLED JOSEPH SUBARU TO ASK ABOUT THE STATUS. HE ASSURED ME ME THAT THE PART HAD BEEN ORDERED ON AUGUST 2 AND THAT I COULD EXPECT THE PART TO BE AVAILABLE AFTER ONE MONTH. THE PART WAS NEVER MADE AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ON OCTOBER 2, 2017 TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT. I GOT NO RESPONSE. I CONTACTED SUBARU ELECTRONICALLY ON OCTOBER 23, 2017. I RECEIVED A CLAIM NUMBER SR #:1-27120984562. IT IS NOW DECEMBER 6, 2017 AND I HAVE RECEIVED NO REPAIR AND NO CLARIFICATION. NO ONE HAS MADE ANY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE FAULT. IT IS A HAZARD TO ME AND ANY RIDERS IN MY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2017
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF TO SIGNAL IF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED OR NOT. DEALER DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR IS OVER $1000 BECAUSE IT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE SEAT. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF, HOWEVER THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON SUCH A NEW CAR SHOULD BE FULLY FUNCTIONING AND SUBARU SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH A PROBLEM AS THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT SINCE THEY MADE IT SO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE DUE TO THE INTEGRATION INTO THE SEAT, YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THAT ONE SENSOR.
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.
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.
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.
Air bags, Aug 14, 2017, crash
MY ACCIDENT INVOLVED HITTING A TREE HEAD-ON TRAVELING AT LEAST 10-15 MPH. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT AT LEAST 3 AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED (SIDE CURTAIN, STEERING, AND DASH FOR KNEES) PREVENTING ME FROM HITTING MY HEAD.
Air bags, Structure, Jun 2, 2017, crash
FRONT END TOTAL COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF A MAIN STREET. HIT, AND BROKE, A TELEPHONE POLE. CAR DEEMED TOTALED. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Steering, May 3, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE IN GARAGE, ON LEVEL WITH WHEELS STRAIGHT. TOWED TO WAGNER DEALERSHIP WHO AGREED IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. EXTENDED MANIPULATION FREED IT. HOW DO I FIX THIS?
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 1, 2017, crash
I WAS PARKING MY CAR. I HAD THE BRAKE APPLIED AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN OVER A PARKING BARRIER, OVER A 1.5' STONE BARRIER, UP A SMALL GRADE AND INTO AND PARTIALLY THRU A CONCRETE PATIO WALL. THE CAR'S GEARSHIFT WAS IN PARK. I HAD TO MOVE IT BACK TO REVERSE TO GET IT BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. AND EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT WAS SUBSTANTIAL THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2017, crash
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. IT WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED NOSE FIRST INTO THE PARKING LOT BELOW.
Tires, Apr 18, 2017
2016 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON VEHICLE TIRES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE OUTER EDGES OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN OUT IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. *JS
Power train, Mar 18, 2017
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE WILL BOG DOWN AND IT WILL NOT MOVE. THE SITUATION LAST ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND DURING THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY TO NONE PER DAY. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY SERVICE REP AND HIS ANSWER WAS THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THE LAST INSTANCE WAS THE DATE SELECTED ON THE CALENDAR.
Engine, Mar 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 05/02/17*LJ UPDATED 11/17/2017*JS