Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2016 Subaru Forester has 3 recalls, 405 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
3
Recalls
405
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated July 5, 2026
19V149000
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 se...
19V701000
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 p...
16V162000
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...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2016 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My horn stopped working. The shop said it’s the clock spring and it’s about 1k to fix. Ive been rese... |
| Mar 11, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | I had my foot on the brake, opened the garage door with my garage door opener, and before I took my ... |
| Feb 10, 2026 | AIR BAGS | The driver's side air bags, and seatbelt restraint system deployed while the vehicle was stopped wit... |
| Jan 19, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I have a 2016 Subaru Forester and started 3 weeks ago with a problem when I turn it on all the light... |
| Nov 1, 2025 | AIR BAGS | The recalled part which was apart of the WUM-98R didn't fix the problem and dealership saying im the... |
| Oct 1, 2025 | AIR BAGS | Currently getting a reoccurring warning, "SRS airbag system needs to be checked" which disables the ... |
| Sep 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle self-accelerated abruptly while parked and crashed into another vehicle causing damage to bo... |
| Aug 11, 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | My recalled ods sensor went out |
| Aug 3, 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS | No damage or water spill to the car whatsoever, but now the SRS passenger airbag light is on. This i... |
| Aug 3, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE SUBARU COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING PROBLEM ... |
| Jun 23, 2025 | AIR BAGS | Multiple times over the last 4 months the passenger airbag has turned off when there is a passenger ... |
| Jun 18, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempti... |
| Jun 10, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The horn on my Subaru doesn’t work a mechanic told me it happens a lot to Subarus the clock Spring b... |
| Jun 7, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The rear backup camera failed. No warning lights appeared. This is a safety issue. This repair ... |
| Jun 1, 2025 | AIR BAGS | The passenger ods is not working right causing an error state of the airbags which is a safety hazar... |
| May 12, 2025 | AIR BAGS | My 2016 subaru forester has Issue with the passenger side front airbag ODS and the. SRS light go on... |
| May 1, 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 70 MP... |
| Apr 25, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | For a couple years I have been battling with the ignition and my key getting stuck. We have tried sw... |
| Apr 18, 2025 | ENGINE | Subaru Forrester was misfiring and sputtering as if it was going to stop running. The car was shaki... |
| Feb 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The airbag sensor (ODS) malfunctions for front passenger seat. The "airbag off" warning lights up ... |