2016 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls (410 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2016 Subaru Forester is Electrical (16% of 410 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Electrical — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 410 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2016 Subaru Forester?

64 of 410 filings named Electrical (16% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Airbags (63 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2015 has 610 reports on file; this year has 410. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2016 Subaru Forester

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
Skim a few owner reports below for Electrical. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Electrical 64 complaints · 15.6% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 39
Fires 3
Injuries 16
Deaths 0

All Subaru Forester years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	64	15.6%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	63	15.4%	4 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	36	8.8%	5 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	31	7.6%	1 crashes · 2 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	26	6.3%	9 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)	21	5.1%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	15	3.7%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	13	3.2%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS)	13	3.2%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	112	27.3%	12 crashes · 1 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 19V149000 was reported 783 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 19V701000 was reported 780 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2015-Q4	Owner reports	4
2016-Q1	Owner reports	8
2016-Q2	Owner reports	2
2016-Q3	Owner reports	14
2016-Q4	Owner reports	6
2017-Q1	Owner reports	7
2017-Q2	Owner reports	5
2017-Q3	Owner reports	2
2017-Q4	Owner reports	5
2018-Q1	Owner reports	6
2018-Q2	Owner reports	4
2018-Q3	Owner reports	14
2018-Q4	Owner reports	12
2019-Q1	Owner reports	8
2019-Q2	Owner reports	19
2019-Q3	Owner reports	33
2019-Q4	Owner reports	20
2020-Q1	Owner reports	17
2020-Q2	Owner reports	7
2020-Q3	Owner reports	24
2020-Q4	Owner reports	15
2021-Q1	Owner reports	9
2021-Q2	Owner reports	9
2021-Q3	Owner reports	11
2021-Q4	Owner reports	7
2022-Q1	Owner reports	6
2022-Q2	Owner reports	11
2022-Q3	Owner reports	16
2022-Q4	Owner reports	6
2023-Q1	Owner reports	6
2023-Q2	Owner reports	13
2023-Q3	Owner reports	12
2023-Q4	Owner reports	8
2024-Q1	Owner reports	5
2024-Q2	Owner reports	4
2024-Q3	Owner reports	11
2024-Q4	Owner reports	9
2025-Q1	Owner reports	2
2025-Q2	Owner reports	6
2025-Q3	Owner reports	10
2025-Q4	Owner reports	2
2026-Q1	Owner reports	4
2026-Q2	Owner reports	5
2026-Q3	Owner reports	6
Mar 2016	Recall campaign	1	16V162000
Feb 2019	Recall campaign	1	19V149000
Oct 2019	Recall campaign	1	19V701000
Aug 2019	Defect investigation	1	PE19009

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags.

Recall campaign 16V162000

Engine

Report date

Mar 21, 2016

Component:

Engine (ENGINE)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 19V149000

Lights

Report date

Feb 28, 2019

Component:

Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 19V701000

Airbags

Report date

Oct 3, 2019

Component:

Airbags (AIR BAGS)

Consequence:

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 5 of 410 complaints · page 1 of 17

2026-08-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11760589

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Vehicle reported an SRS Passenger problem intermittently, as displayed on the dashboard, the car's information system, and a diagnostic trouble code (the car's aftermarket radio is connected to the OBD-II connector and can pull codes). The problem would appear, and then disappear upon subsequent startup cycle, over the course of a two-week road trip. In total, the problem occurred three times over the course of 3,750 miles. Our mechanic verified the issue with a scan tool, and determined that this was a fault in the sensor mesh in the seat that failed to reliably detect the presence of someone seated in the passenger seat. To correct this problem, we had to replace the passenger seat of the car (the seat alone cost $1,100; labor was approximately $400). Since the repair, we have not seen the problem recur.

2026-08-19Wheels (WHEELS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11757935

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear wheels of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the hub bearing needed to be replaced. The rear driver’s and passenger’s side hub bearings were replaced twice. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

2026-08-12Airbags (AIR BAGS)

NHTSA ODI 11756549

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Airbag light is now consistently lit, Has come on & off for some time. when it first happened, I went straight to the dealership & a technician placed a device under the dashboard on the driver's side & switched off the light. No mention of a recall was discussed. Because the light is on most of the time of late, I researched & discovered a recall WUM98. On further investigating I discovered that the dealership had logged the recall as COMPLETE this is not the case as the passenger seat was never checked & repairs never done. I have contacted Subaru Corporate Customer Advocacy & their email response was: "I am sorry to hear about your airbag concern for your 2016 Forester. Currently there are no open recalls or warranty extensions for this concern. I would recommend having your local Subaru retailer address your concerns. I will follow up with you on Wednesday, August 19." This is not good enough I need Corporate to contact the dealership to fix this problem at no cost to me. This is a major safety issue! I have tried to call back but get an answering machine

2026-08-03Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11754563

CrashFireInjuryDeath

When I drove the car, All most all light on the dashboard are on onthe road, and when I stop and tried to go, the car is somewhat not controled. I immidieatly went to dealership and dignosed P2764 CVT balve problem. And they add wheel bearing is problem. Subaru noticed these problems but my 88,278 mile 2016 forester has all the lights on and it was very scared and it took 4400 dollars for fixing.

2026-07-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11753608

CrashFireInjuryDeath

2016 Subaru Forester – Replacement of Air-conditioning Condenser – July 2026 A/C was demonstrating signs of failure in early July. While researching for issues with the 2016 A/C failing, it was uncovered that the compressor on the vehicle would be subject to a replacement upon failure (Subaru Service Information Number 10-84-16). The vehicle was equipped with a compressor that reflected a recalled part number, but per Subaru the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was not included in the recall, The vehicle was brought in for service on July 2026. It was determined that the compressor was fine, that the issue was with the condenser. The vehicle was left for repair. More research was done on 2016 Subaru Forester Condenser issues. Two issues were found, one spelled out in Subaru Service Bulletin Number 15-222-18, dated 05/10/18, the other was spelled out in Subaru Service Program Bulletin Number WRB-21R, dated 02/17/21, revised on 04/30/21. The old Condenser was requested, there was an intention to review the part number (P/N). There was a concern that since the Compressor did not match the Subaru build report, perhaps the condenser was among the recalled group (WRB-21R). The old condenser was returned. Unfortunately, the label on the original condenser was no longer present. However, it was observed that the condenser on the vehicle was one of the original condensers identified in 15-222-18, identifying the condenser as being reengineered to correct an issue concerning leakage of the refrigerant. That was the issue with the condenser on this vehicle.Subaru was notified of this issue (Case Number 260724-1500361). Subaru reported that they could not act on the issue. The NHTSA is being contacted so to be notified about this issue, to determine if this is an issue that is currently a subject under investigation, or at the very least , to lodge a complaint as to why there was not a recall issued when it was determined that the part was prone to failure,

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2016 Subaru Forester?

Owners named Electrical most often — 64 of 410 reports (16%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2016 Subaru Forester?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources