AI Damage2016 Subaru Forester: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Subaru Forester filed 416 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. The maker issued 308 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 416
- involving a crash
- 40
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 308
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 24% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 100 complaints (24% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Electrical system: 93 complaints (22% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 142.
- Engine: 60 complaints (14% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Powertrain: 51 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Vehicle speed control: 37 complaints (9% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 7 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 416 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 100 | 9 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 93 | 4 | 142 |
| Engine | 60 | 4 | 24 |
| Powertrain | 51 | 6 | 32 |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 16 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 8 | 4 |
| Seats | 24 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 | 5 | 5 |
| Visibility | 23 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 19 | 3 | 4 |
| Wheels | 17 | 1 | 7 |
| Suspension | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Structure | 11 | 7 | 8 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 3 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a fire hydrant. While the foot was still on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and struck a street sign.
I had my foot on the brake, opened the garage door with my garage door opener, and before I took my foot off the brake the car surged, jumped, and smashed into the brick wall next to the garage. I did not put my foot on the gas.
Power steering failed. Gearshift could not be put back into park. SUV crashed heavily into a sign protecting the gas pump, but auto suffered major damage: REAR WRAP AROUND BUMPER, ENTIRE POWER LIFT DOOR, AND FRAME, were included in the damage. Driver was the wife of a couple.
I suspect that there was sudden acceleration and because of the icy road conditions my car left the road instead of plowing into the car ahead of me. The airbags didn't go off and I wasn't hurt at all but the entire front end was beyond repair.
A slight push on accelerator pedal caused vehicle to lurch forward and do $8,700 damage to the closed 2 car garage door, and $1,000+ to vehicle. Date of accident 02/10/2023
The car accelerated over the curb and ran into a store front knocking out a wall. The car was still in Drive when it came to a stop. No one was hurt in the car, on the sidewalk or in the store.
I was the only person in the car and was wearing my seatbelt. I had slowly pulled into a parking spot, had my foot on the brake and had essentially stopped at the 6x6 piece of lumber that was marking the spot.
The car's famed anti-collision system did not prevent the collision and the Air bags failed to deploy. I suspect that there is a serious manufacturing defect that all the safety systems failed in the car, hence I request you to conduct an enquiry while the car is being sent to the repair center to ascertain the right…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 134 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Forester has 314 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 416, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing…
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and…
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 308 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 416. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), stalls while driving (6%), airbag warning light (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 308 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Subaru Forester from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.