YearToAvoid

2016 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 34 brake complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester, 8% of all complaints for that year, with 9 crashes and 4 injuries reported. The median mileage at failure was 32,000 miles, and there are no related recalls tied to this brake data.

Brakes complaints
34
8% of 414
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
32,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or lurching forward while parking with a foot still on the brake pedal.
  • Several drivers report the brakes failing to stop the car in time, leading to low-speed collisions with parked vehicles, fences, or walls.
  • Some owners noted the brake pedal felt soft or unresponsive, requiring earlier-than-normal braking to stop at signals or in traffic.
  • ABS warning lights reportedly illuminated intermittently, sometimes appearing during acceleration after a stop or during heavy rain.
  • One owner reported the failure happening on three separate occasions before rear-ending another vehicle.

When 2016 Subaru Forester brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 30, 2016, latest Mar 22, 2026.

2016 Subaru Forester brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2016Apr 2018Feb 2019Jun 2019Jul 2020Feb 2021Dec 2023Mar 2026
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2016 to Mar 2026; peak Feb 2017 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Forester model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201039 (15%)
  2. 201121 (14%)
  3. 201219 (18%)
  4. 201310 (13%)
  5. 201434 (8%)
  6. 201545 (7%)
  7. 201634 (8%)
  8. 201720 (3%)
  9. 201820 (4%)
  10. 201934 (4%)
  11. 202015 (2%)
  12. 20217 (3%)
  13. 202210 (10%)
  14. 20235 (7%)
  15. 20241 (3%)
  16. 20256 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 34 brake-related complaints for the 2016 Forester, which is 8% of the 414 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2016 Subaru Forester?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to the brake complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do brake problems usually occur on the 2016 Forester?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 32,000 miles.
Have brake issues on the 2016 Forester caused crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data shows 9 crashes and 4 injuries associated with brake complaints on the 2016 Forester, though no fires were reported.
How does the 2016 Forester compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2016 Forester's brake complaints made up 8% of its total complaints, similar to 2014 at 8%, but lower than 2010 through 2013, which ranged from 13% to 18%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.