2016 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Forester years
The 2016 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a 'Caution' rating. It logged 414 complaints, 3 recalls, and 40 crashes, with airbags, electrical, and engine issues topping the list.
- Complaints
- 414
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 40 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28 hwy
Top 2016 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the vehicle lurching forward or backward even with a foot on the brake.
- Several reports describe the vehicle jumping the gear shifter's intended position, moving from park or drive unexpectedly and striking objects like poles, walls, or parked cars.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal collisions, including impacts with trees, poles, and telephone poles.
- One report describes loss of traction and sliding on a wet, snow-covered slope, resulting in a collision.
- An engine-related steering complaint describes the car suddenly veering in the opposite direction during a slow-speed turn, leading to a collision with a street pole.
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 ranks 8th worst out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 53 and a 'Caution' verdict. It has fewer reported problems than the 2015, 2019, or 2020 model years, which are rated 'Avoid'.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 24% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 23% and engine problems at 22%. Airbag-related complaints had a median failure mileage of 39,000 (odometer at time of complaint filing overall).
- Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Forester covering airbags, the electrical system, and the engine. None of these recalls are classified as 'do not drive.'
- How does the 2016 Forester compare to the 2015 and 2017 model years?
- The 2015 Forester has a higher Complaint Index of 87 and an 'Avoid' verdict, while the 2017 Forester scores 73 with a 'Caution' verdict. The 2016 model, at 53, sits between them with fewer reported complaints.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru Forester?
- EPA rates the 2016 Forester at 25 mpg combined (23 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.