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, Sep 17, 2020
KEY DOES NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION WHEN CAR IS STOPPED, TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK AND FOOT BRAKE IS APPLIED.
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2020
WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY WILL NOT COMPLETELY TURN COUNTERCLOCKWISE BUT WILL GET STUCK AT ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY TOWARDS OFF (NEAR THE "ACC" POINT). CANNOT TAKE THE KEY OUT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO RELEASE IS TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES ARE NEEDED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE IS A NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY OR SECURE THE VEHICLE IN A PUBLIC PARKING AREA. LEAVING THE CAR WITH THE BATTERY ENGAGED AND THE KEY STUCK IS NOT AN OPTION. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY STOPPED, IN PARK, AND I AM READY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH (STARTED IN AUG 2020) AND INITIALLY I THOUGHT I WAS NOT PUTTING IT IN PARK, OR THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TURNED OR SOME OTHER ISSUE I COULD CORRECT. SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT GO AWAY. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND IS DISCONCERTING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2020
IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM CAR AFTER DRIVING AND THE CAR IS TURNED OFF
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2020
2016 SUBARU FORESTER. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAN NOT BE REMOVED. ALL ELECTRICAL POWER STILL ON. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I PULLED MY SUV INTO A PARKING SPOT. PLACE IN PARK. TURNED OFF AND KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME IN 2 WEEKS THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Visibility, Sep 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW IMPLODED WITH A LOUD NOISE, WITHOUT IMPACT, LEAVING PIECES OF GLASS, LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED KOEPPEL SUBARU LOCATED AT 42-01 NORTHERN BLVD, QUEENS, NY 11101, (347) 846-0660, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. *LN *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2020
POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED. WHEN RESTARTING THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF POWER STEERING LOCKING UP OR JUST NOT WORKING WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING.
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2020
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY TO THE REMOVAL LOCATION. I OFTEN HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND THEN QUICKLY OFF IN ORDER TO GET THE KEY TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES PUTTING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO GEAR (REVERSE OR DRIVE) BEFORE RETURNING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK IS ALSO REQUIRED. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS MAY BE NECESSARY BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SUDDENLY IN THE LAST MONTH AND OCCURS AT LEAST 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS USED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION OR AUX POSITION AND WOULD NOT COME OVER AFTER SHIFTING THE LEVER TO PARK POSITION.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2020
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND SMALL OBJECT (NOT A ROCK OR METAL) IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. WHICH CREATED A 3IN CRACK TOP OF WINDSHIELD (DRIVER SIDE). IN THE FOLLOWING 30 MINUTES, THE CRACK GREW TO OVER 10 INCHES.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2020
YESTERDAY AM FOUND WINDSHIELD CRACK ON MY 2016 FORESTER. CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ALL NIGHT IN CLEAR WEATHER , AND NO DING OR CRACK WAS PRESENT DAY BEFORE. KNOWING THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN OTHER YEARS OF THIS AUTO, FELT IT NECESSARY TO REPORT. PHOTOS SHOW COMPLETE CRACK AND POSSIBLE PLACE OF ORIGIN WHERE WINDSHIELD MEETS BODY BY ROOF.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2020
PLEASE RECALL THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER FOR FAILURE OF THE ACCELERATOR AT HIGH SPEEDS. OUR 21-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, A NURSING STUDENT, TOOK HER 2016 FORESTER INTO GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TN FOR A RECALL SERVICE ON REAR COIL SPRINGS, OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HER "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU, THAT MEANS 2.6 GALLONS OF GAS REMAIN. ASSUMING 20 MPG, THAT MEANS SHE COULD DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 52 MILES BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. WITHIN A MINUTE OF THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMING ON, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO WORK AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, SHE HAD TO CROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER. VERY SHAKEN AND CRYING, SHE CALLED GRAYSON SUBARU AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. AFTER STEVE KACHELRIE OF GRAYSON'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THE CAR, HE CONCLUDED, "YOUR DAUGHTER JUST RAN OUT OF GAS. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO OTHER THAN PUT GAS IN THE TANK." WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE GAS METER SAID SHE HAD 50 MILES OF DRIVING TO GO BEFORE EMPTY, HE DISMISSED IT AND REPEATED THAT SHE "JUST RAN OUT OF GAS." I RESEARCHED THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER ON NHTSA.GOV AND FOUND 20 REPORTS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THE CAR SHOWING 50-70 MILES TO GO BEFORE EMPTY AND THE ACCELERATOR COMPLETELY FAILING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIGHTING UP. WHEN I TOLD GRAYSON SERVICE THAT WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE, THEY REFERRED ME TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, WALTER GRAYSON. HE AGREED TO FULFILL SUBARU'S GUARANTEE TO PAY US THE TRADE-IN VALUE OF THE CAR, $14,800. THE DEALERSHIP SENT US A CHECK FOR THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER AND WE PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2020, crash
2016 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JS
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2020
THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND CAR IS PARKED. THE FIRST TIME WAS SATURDAY,AUGUST 1. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY FOR FIVE DAYS. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AT LEAST ONCE EVERY DAY.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2020
AFTER PARKED THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER, THE KEY WAS STUCK AND COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT OF THE KEY CYLINDER. IT HAPPENED EVERY OTHER DAYS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 7, 2020
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AROUND 70 MPH. LOST POWER TO WHEELS/VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE REVVED TO HIGH RPM'S WHEN I HIT GAS, AS I COASTED INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN. I TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES. TRIED TO START AGAIN, STARTER WOULD CRANK, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER THEY WERE ABLE TO START CAR NEXT DAY. NO ERROR CODES IN COMPUTER. HAVE NOTICED THIS ISSUE ON THE SUBARU MESSAGE BOARDS, DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE ISSUE NOW. VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2020
THE KEY OCASIONALLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SO THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE AND LOCK THE CAR. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A MONTH BEFORE I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED.
Power train, Jul 15, 2020
THERE IS A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET WHICH RUINED A TEMPERATURE GAUGE ($700 TO REPLACE). THE MECHANICS SAY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO TO AVOID THE ISSUE AND IT WILL KEEP HAPPENING UNTIL I FIX THE LEAK.
Power train, Jul 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK SUBARU LOCATED AT 1521 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 680-2495 FOR THE 120,000 MILES VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,953.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Jul 6, 2020
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING. ALL LOW SPEED <5 MPH. CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BRAKING, MADE A HARD LEFT TURN THEN STOPPED. CAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE, MOVED 25 FEET, BRAKE AND STOPPED. CAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE (LOW), APPLIED ACCELERATION (LIGHT), HARD RIGHT TURN, BRAKE APPLIED, CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPED CURB, SHIFTED CAR TO PARK, TURNED OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED CAR, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON, SHIFT WOULD NOT ENGAGE EVEN WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED. REMOVE SHIFT LOCK COVER (SMALL BUTTON NEAR SHIFT) DEPRESSED RELEASE AND MOVE SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND THEN REVERSE TO BACK OFF CURB. INCIDENT OVER, CAR FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AT THIS POINT. FLOOR MATS WERE NOT ANY WHERE NEAR PEDALS, MATS WERE IN THE RETAINERS TO HOLD POSITION. I AM SURE THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. IT REMAINED THERE EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF BECAUSE I LOOKED AT MY PASSENGER TO SEE IF SHE WAS OK AND THEN LOOKED AT THE POSITION OF MY FOOT, STILL ON BRAKE. THERE WERE NO CODES FLASHING. I BRAKE AND ACCELERATE WITH ONLY MY RIGHT FOOT. CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SAW SEVERAL REPORTS AND ISSUED THIS ONE. TAKING THIS TO MY DEALER WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME, THEY ALWAYS FIND NOTHING BUT THE MONEY IN MY WALLET. THIS IS SUBARU NUMBER 6 FOR ME.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2020
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT DISENGAGE AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF; VEHICLE HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2020
KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER I COME TO A STOP AND PUT CAR IN PARK AND FIRMLY APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I CAN SOMETIMES START THE CAR AGAIN, PUT IT IN PARK AND PULL THE BRAKE AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, 2016 FORESTER ENGINE REVVED WHILE ALSO LOSING POWER AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING, I SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED FINE BUT THE CAR STILL HAD NO POWER. WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. THE CAR STATED THERE WERE 30 MILES LEFT TO DRIVE AND THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON 18 MILES PRIOR (AT 50 MILES ESTIMATED LEFT TO DRIVE) . THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, I RAN OUT OF GAS WITH 50 MILES LEFT TO DRIVE AND ONLY 5 MILES AFTER THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVEN'T LET THE CAR GET BELOW 1/4 TANK DUE TO THIS ISSUE. SOMETHING IS NOT READING RIGHT WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUAL SAYS THERE SHOULD BE ROUGHLY 2 GALLONS LEFT IN THE CAR WHEN THE GAS LIGHT COMES ON SO I SHOULD BE ABLE TO AT LEAST GO 40 MILES AT THE BARE MINIMUM. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
I HAD DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT THE SHOP FOR A RECALL. ON THE DRIVE HOME, WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 MILES FROM THE SHOP, I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SUDDENLY MY FRONT WINDOW CRACKED FROM RIGHT ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR DOWN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW AND THEN OVER TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I'VE ATTACHED A PHOTO OF THE CRACK. THE SHOP REVIEWED THEIR VIDEO OF THE WORK ON THE CAR AND SAID THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING THAT HAD STRUCK THE WINDOW. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY AND I HAD JUST TURNED MY AIR CONDITIONING UP ALL THE WAY RIGHT BEFORE THE WINDOW CRACKED. THE STREET I WAS ON WAS A 4-LANE COUNTY ROAD. *TR
Visibility, Jun 22, 2020
IN 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED TO SLEET. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I TURNED ON MY HEATER AND DEFROST AND THE WINDOW POPPED AND CRACKED FROM THE HEATING VENT TO ABOUT 1/2 UP THE WINDOW. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2020
KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. THIS STARTED ABOUT 4 MOS AGO. PARK CAR, TURN OFF, BUT KEY WON'T RELEASE AND COME OUT. HAVE TO SOMETIMES RESTART CAR, REVERSE, SLAM INTO PARK. USED TO HEAR A "CLICK" OR LIKE SOMETHING "LOCKED IN", BUT NO LONGER. IT'S GETTING WORSE; CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND COSTS SEEMS TO BE 500-600 REPAIR. *TR