2016 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Subaru Forester ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 414 complaints, mostly airbags (99), electrical system (97), and engine (91), plus 3 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 414
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 40
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2016 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags99 (24%)
- Electrical System97 (23%)
- Engine91 (22%)
- Other69 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (12%)
- Brakes34 (8%)
- Structure & Body34 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (7%)
- Fuel System24 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers23 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking with a foot on the brake, sometimes crashing into parked vehicles, walls, or barriers.
- Some describe airbags failing to deploy in frontal collisions with pole strikes or trees, despite noticeable impact force.
- Drivers report the vehicle losing traction and sliding out of control on wet or snowy roads.
- One owner reported the transmission causing unexpected reverse movement into a parked vehicle without warning.
- Several brake-related complaints describe the car lurching forward unexpectedly when shifting from drive to park.
2016 Subaru Forester recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V701000Oct 3, 2019Airbags366,282 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V162000Mar 21, 2016Engine18,187 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?
- Compared to other Forester model years, 2016 lands in the Caution category with a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 years tracked. It has fewer reported problems than 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 24% of complaints, electrical system 23%, and engine issues 22%. Median mileage at failure ranges from about 29,500 miles for engine complaints to 44,500 miles for transmission complaints.
- Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Forester covering airbags (occupant detection system sensor), electrical system (brake light switch), and engine (turbocharger air intake duct on 2.0XT models). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Forester compare to newer model years?
- The 2016 model has a lower complaint index (65) than 2017 (85), 2018 (75), 2019 (100), and 2020 (95), all of which are rated Avoid, making 2016 a comparatively safer choice among recent Foresters.
- Were there any crashes linked to 2016 Forester complaints?
- NHTSA recorded 40 crashes and 17 injuries tied to 2016 Forester complaints, with no reported deaths. Engine-related complaints were linked to the most crashes at 19.