2016 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
The Electrical System is the top complaint area for the 2016 Subaru Forester, with 97 complaints, or 23% of the 414 total complaints filed for that year. A related recall (19V149000) covers brake light switch issues on 2014-2016 Forester and other Subaru models. Median mileage at failure was 39,794.5.
- Electrical System complaints
- 97
- 23% of 414
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 39,795 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or throttle surges while parking, backing up, or stopped with foot on the brake, sometimes resulting in crashes into walls, fences, or other vehicles.
- Some owners describe the engine stalling without warning while driving at highway speed, with the air conditioner and electrical systems shutting off first, followed by difficulty steering and braking.
- One owner reported a fire that started under the hood while the vehicle was parked and unattended, which spread and destroyed nearby property.
- Owners describe poor headlight performance, saying the passenger-side beam is uneven and the driver-side beam has a short focal range, making dark roads hard to see.
- One owner reported water entering the interior near the glove compartment and worried about the water reaching nearby electrical components.
When 2016 Subaru Forester electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 16, 2016, latest May 27, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester
- 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.
Electrical System complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does the 2016 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA lists 97 electrical system complaints for the 2016 Forester, which is 23% of the 414 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
- Yes. Recall 19V149000, reported in 2019, covers 2014-2016 Forester and several other Subaru models for a brake light switch issue tied to the electrical system; dealers replace the switch free of charge.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2016 Forester?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 39,794.5 miles for electrical system complaints on the 2016 Forester.
- Did the 2016 Forester's electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA complaint data for this area lists 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 0 injuries tied to the 2016 Forester's electrical system complaints.
- How does the 2016 Forester compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2016 Forester's 23% share of complaints tied to the electrical system is higher than most other model years listed, including 2015 at 15% and 2017 at 18%.