Recalls · problems · safety

2016 Subaru Forester: recalls and problems

3 recalls and 414 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags.

3recalls
414complaints
40crashes reported
3fires reported
17injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Air Bags90 · 22%
  • Electrical System84 · 20%
  • Unknown Or Other69 · 17%
  • Engine60 · 14%
  • Power Train51 · 12%
  • Vehicle Speed Control37 · 9%
  • Service Brakes29 · 7%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System24 · 6%
  • Seats23 · 6%
  • Visibility/Wiper20 · 5%

What owners report

Power TrainCrash

The contact owned a 2016 subaru forester. 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. the vehicle continued to accelerate across the street and accelerated up a hill. the vehicle headed straight toward

Air Bags

While driving, the car will beep and display a warning that the srs system is malfunctioning. it will then turn passenger airbags off, even when there is a passenger sitting in the seat. i took the car in to subaru of glendale and was charged over $1000 to replace it, being told that i was not eligible for free replacement under the wum98 recall. almost exactly two years later, the same beep, warning, and airbag deac

Suspension,Power Train,Wheels

We purchased a used car for my [xxx] daughter on august 4th. of this year. on her trip to [xxx] on xxx., appoximently 5pm, the drivers side rear wheel fell off, causing damage to the wheel, lugs, shocks, caliper and tire. she was able to pull over into a parking lot, where a stranger helped her out till i arrived. when i arrived i was able to put the wheel back on, but all lugs nuts were gone and one lug was broken.

Air Bags,Seats

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 3,75

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Subaru Forester SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Forester. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.