2016 Subaru Forester common problems & recalls
What owners report most to NHTSA on the 2016 Subaru Forester, and the recalls issued for this model year. Got a symptom of your own? Start a case for your car.
Most reported 2016 Subaru Forester problems
Based on 416 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Subaru Forester.
- Air Bags100 reports
- Electrical System93 reports
- Unknown Or Other69 reports
- Engine60 reports
- Power Train51 reports
2016 Subaru Forester recalls
Recalls issued for the 2016 Subaru Forester model year. Whether one is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN: check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Safety recalls are repaired free at a franchised dealer.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH19V149000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
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.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION19V701000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER16V162000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
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.
Describe the symptom and start a case. Redline checks it against this model’s complaint and recall data and shows what evidence would confirm it.
Other Subaru Forester years
More Subaru models
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint volume reflects how often owners report an issue, not whether your car has it. Confirm with an inspection.
Problem with your Forester?
Every problem becomes a Case. Tell Redline what your Forester is doing: it shows what the evidence supports, what’s still missing, and what to check next, before you approve a repair.
“Inner pad ~1 mm. Outer pad 3 mm.”
Next: check the slide pins move freely before buying parts.