2016 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester. This model year has 401 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2016 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 92 | 9 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 91 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 67 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 60 | 4 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 48 | 5 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 37 | 16 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 29 | 8 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 | 5 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 401 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The recalled part which was apart of the WUM-98R didn't fix the problem and dealership saying im the caused for the ods for front passenger airbag not to work and I fed up with them trying to charge me for a recalled part failure and I'm very aware that I'm not the first person …
The airbag SRS sensor on the passenger side cuts on even if someone is sitting in the passenger seat. Then it will randomly cut off when no one is in the passenger seat. I’m concerned that if I was to have a wreck then someone could die. I called the Subaru dealership when I firs…
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.
I am reporting a safety-critical failure of the passenger-side Occupant Detection System (ODS) in my 2016 Subaru Forester, which deactivates the airbag while the seat is occupied. This issue was first documented at an authorized Subaru dealer on 11/15/2023, where the technician i…
I have a 2016 Subaru Forester and started 3 weeks ago with a problem when I turn it on all the lights on the dashboard turn on and the car won't star. The mechanic has changed the battery and the problem continues. It's happened three times now that it's suddenly shut off while I…
Currently getting a reoccurring warning, "SRS airbag system needs to be checked" which disables the front passenger airbag. This means if I have a passenger sit in the front seat of my vehicle, they don't have the protection of an airbag in the event of a car accident. In 2021, I…
The rear backup camera failed. No warning lights appeared. This is a safety issue. This repair was expensive should not have happened at 79019 miles. The problem was inspected and estimated by our Subaru dealer. We were told that the radio/screen unit first needed replacem…
A warning light will randomly light up indicating a problem with the airbag or airbag sensor in my front passenger seat. I have had it looked at by multiple Subaru dealerships and shops and have had various quotes in the thousands of dollars to repair it. The technicians have tol…
Multiple times over the last 4 months the passenger airbag has turned off when there is a passenger occupying the seat and the SRS light turns on. The related code is B1650. This seems to be the same issue as a recall from about 5 years ago that was “fixed” and now has come back.…
Vehicle self-accelerated abruptly while parked and crashed into another vehicle causing damage to both vehicles
I bought the car between 82-90K miles. Not long after I noticed when I was at an intersection and went from a stopped position to accelerating it would barely go. Spent over a lot to fix it and the guy who did says he has 2-3 Forresters a month in his shop for the same issue.
My recalled ods sensor went out
No damage or water spill to the car whatsoever, but now the SRS passenger airbag light is on. This is a recurrent issue with Suabru, and there was even a recall for this part a few years ago, which was replaced in my vehicle during that period. Less than 5 years later, there is a…
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE SUBARU COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY MADE AN EDUCATED GUESS REPAIR TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH MAY MALFUNCTION DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE,SLIPPAGE, …
Sensor on passenger side airbag stays off at times when there is a passenger in the seat. The notification on the dash and above the GPS screen notifies the driver that the airbag is off. This was a previous issue and pertains to a recall that was completed. This has not resolved…
The airbag sensor (ODS) malfunctions for front passenger seat. The "airbag off" warning lights up when the seat is occupied. This was fixed by dealer back in 2020 under recall WUM-98/NHTSA ID 19V-701000. However, this problem recurred intermittently about five months ago. I cal…
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The information alerted the contact about an SRS issue. The contact stated that there was an audible ding with the warning light flashing …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 108,127 and at t…
The horn on my Subaru doesn’t work a mechanic told me it happens a lot to Subarus the clock Spring broke Now nothing works in the steering wheel and I feel this should be a recall since this is happening to many other Subaru it has not been inspected and no lights came on to wa…
The passenger ods is not working right causing an error state of the airbags which is a safety hazard as they will not deploy in the event of a car accident.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2016 Subaru Forester
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2016 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2016 Subaru Forester has 401 NHTSA owner complaints, 39 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (92 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (92 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (91 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (67 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2016 Subaru Forester has 39 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 401 total NHTSA complaints. 16 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2016 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2016 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.