2016 Subaru Forester Problems
Compared with other Subaru Forester years
Typical for this model
59/100 1.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.2× that of a typical Subaru Forester year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 89 of its 416 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: Unintended or surge-like acceleration at low speed (77 complaints, median 24,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 416filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles, 218 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 23 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Subaru Forester (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 Forester most often report the key refusing to release from the ignition after parking, sudden loss of engine power or stalling while cruising, and unintended or surge-like acceleration at low speeds. Another recurring theme is spontaneous windshield cracking, often without any impact and sometimes near the wiper de-icer area. Complaints span a wide mileage range, with many appearing between roughly 30,000 and 75,000 miles.
- Electrical system
Key stuck in ignition (won't release in Park)
- 33 complaints (8%)
- median 50,500 mi at 4.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2019–2025
Owners describe turning the engine off and shifting into Park, then finding the key will not rotate fully to the release position. Many say the workaround is to restart the engine, cycle the shifter in and out of gear, or wiggle the key until it finally comes free. Some report paying a dealer several hundred dollars for the repair, while others say they were told the behavior could not be reproduced. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, often after the vehicle has been driven and parked.
What to check: After a test drive, shut the engine off in Park and confirm the key turns fully and releases every time; repeat a few times. Ask whether the ignition lock or shifter assembly has been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“2016 Subaru Forester. Key gets stuck in ignition. Can not be removed. All electrical power still on. This happened after I pulled my SUV into a parking spot. Place in park. Turned off and key was stuck in ignition. This is the 5th time in 2 weeks this has happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11354067, filed 2020-09, 45,438 miles“The key will not come out of the ignition when the car is stopped and in park, intermittently. I need to restart the car, readjust the shifter out and then back into park, until the vehicle senses that I am actually in park and allows me to remove the key.”
NHTSA complaint #11307806, filed 2020-02, 50,000 miles - Engine
Loss of power / stalling while driving
- 57 complaints (14%)
- median 39,500 mi at 3.1 yrs old (38 state mileage)
- filed 2016–2026
Complaints describe the engine dying or dropping to idle with no warning, sometimes at highway speeds and sometimes when fuel is low, with no response to the accelerator. Owners report coasting to the shoulder, waiting, and then restarting successfully, or needing a tow when the engine would crank but not start. Dealers are often described as unable to reproduce the problem or finding no stored codes. Reported from roughly 15,000 to 100,000 miles, often during steady highway driving.
What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has ever stalled or lost power and whether fuel level was a factor; have a scan tool check for stored or pending codes, and test drive at highway speed with a partial fuel tank.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle was traveling on highway around 70 MPH. Lost power to wheels/vehicle stalled with no warning. Engine revved to high RPM's when I hit gas, as I coasted into the grassy median. I turned off engine, waited for a few minutes. Tried to start again, starter would crank, but engine would not start. Towed vehicle to dealer they were able to start car next day. No error codes in computer. Have noticed this issue on the Subaru message boards, dealership unable to diagnose issue now. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343912, filed 2020-08, 66,000 miles“While driving on the highway with cruise control on, 2016 Forester engine revved while also losing power and the lights on the dash lit up. I pulled over to the side of the highway with the car still running, I shut the car off. After a few minutes, the engine started fine but the car still had no power. Was towed to the shop and they stated the car ran out of gas. The car stated there were 30 miles left to drive and the gas light came on 18 miles prior (at 50 miles estimated left to drive) . …”
NHTSA complaint #11331207, filed 2020-06, 48,000 miles - Vehicle speed control
Unintended or surge-like acceleration at low speed
- 77 complaints (19%)
- median 24,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (51 state mileage)
- 25 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2015–2026
Owners report the vehicle lurching forward or accelerating more than expected while braking, parking, or moving off from a stop, in some cases resulting in hitting curbs, fences, or other vehicles. Some describe the engine revving and needing to shift into Neutral to regain control. A few owners say dealers found no fault or told them the vehicle operated as designed. Most often described at parking-lot and low speeds (under about 25 mph), across a wide mileage range including low-mileage vehicles.
What to check: During the test drive, practice slow-speed maneuvering and stopping from a creep; ask the seller whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has been inspected, and whether any stored codes relate to the electronic throttle.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was preparing to park my car ,in the parking lot of the giant parking lot my foot was on the brake and the car was almost at a complete stop when the car suddenly accelerated . Upon acceleration, the car hit the steel construction unit that is built to store the customer shopping carts and dragged this forward before crashing into the side of a vehicle that was in the next aisle”
NHTSA complaint #11390652, filed 2021-01, 15,000 miles“'several times over the last 3 months the vehicle randomly accelerates usually when I brake to slow down the car. I have to put the car in neutral to stop the racing of the engine. It happens at various speeds, 5,10,20, 60. It is scary and I have to allow extra room while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11415823, filed 2021-05, 75,000 miles - Other or unknown
Windshield cracks without impact
Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe windshields developing a crack with no visible impact, sometimes while parked overnight and sometimes while driving, with the crack spreading quickly. Several owners point to the base of the windshield or the wiper de-icer area as the origin, and some note temperature swings or defroster use around the time it happened. Dealers are described as unable to identify a cause in some cases. Reported from about 5,000 to 97,000 miles, with several at low mileage; often in cold or rapidly changing weather.
What to check: Inspect the windshield edges and the area around the wiper de-icer for existing chips or hairline cracks, and ask whether the glass has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“In 2016 while driving on the highway it started to sleet. There were no cars in front of me. I turned on my heater and defrost and the window popped and cracked from the heating vent to about 1/2 up the window. Over the next few months the crack continued to grow.”
NHTSA complaint #11330062, filed 2020-06, 5,000 miles“I had dropped my car off at the shop for a recall. On the drive home, when I was about 6 miles from the shop, I stopped at a traffic light. Suddenly my front window cracked from right above the rearview mirror down the center of the window and then over towards the driver's side. I've attached a photo of the crack. The shop reviewed their video of the work on the car and said they did not see anything that had struck the window. It was a very hot day and I had just turned my air conditioning up all the way right before the window cracked. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330068, filed 2020-06, 59,745 miles
Buying note. Check the items owners mention most — that the key releases cleanly from the ignition, that the car has never stalled or surged, and that the windshield is free of cracks — and ask for service records covering battery and ignition work. A pre-purchase inspection with a scan tool for stored codes is worthwhile given how often complaints note that dealers could not reproduce the symptoms.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 416 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester. 218 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,000 miles. Of all complaints, 40 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 17 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 455 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Subaru Forester model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 59 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags100 24%
- Electrical system93 22%
- Other or unknown70 17%
- Engine60 14%
- Vehicle speed control37 8.9%
- Brakes29 7.0%
- Fuel system24 5.8%
- Seats24 5.8%
Also reported: Steering (19), Wheels (17), Suspension (14), Body and structure (11), Electronic stability control (8), Forward collision avoidance (8), Exterior lighting (6), Seat belts (6), Tires (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Lane departure (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I purchased this vehicle early 2016, currently under 40k miles. The side passenger airbag warning suddenly came on stating the srs system needs checked. The warning comes and disappears sporadically. I tried wiggling and tightening the connection underneath the seat and the light was gone for over a month but it came back again.”
NHTSA complaint #11246720, filed 2019-08, 35,000 milesElectrical system: “Intermittent ignition issue will not always release key when auto is turned off. The position of the steering wheel seems to affect it.does not allow rotation to the release key position.sometimes I have to turn auto back on, back out, and pull in with wheels and steering wheel in perfect straight alignment, which seems to allow me to turn key to release key position.”
NHTSA complaint #11229533, filed 2019-07, 39,000 milesOther or unknown: “The eyesight has turned off several times recently and won't turn back on until I stop and restart car. I have had the car for 3.5 years and this has never happened before. There was no sunlight and very light mist this last time. There was nothing blocking the eyesight camera at all. This is not the safety feature that I paid extra for.”
NHTSA complaint #11307785, filed 2020-02, 40,000 milesEngine: “I have an issue where the engine will flutter in idle and will almost skip as if it's not getting any gas. The flutter causes the car to shake, it has even caused the car to stall. When it stalled I had started the car, put it in drive, tapped the gas and the engine cut out and shut off. I brought the issue to the dealership, and they claimed nothing was wrong and they couldnt find any problems.”
NHTSA complaint #11150304, filed 2018-11, 29,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 218 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,888 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Subaru Forester version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,300 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 19V701000Oct 3, 2019Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Subaru Forester 2015–2018
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.
- 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Subaru Forester 2014–2016, Impreza 2008–2016, WRX 2008–2014 +1 more
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…
- 16V162000Mar 21, 2016Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/superchargerCovers: Subaru Forester 2015–2016, WRX 2015–2016
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…
Recall details for the 2016 Subaru Forester → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE19009Occupant Detection System (ODS) FailureClosed · Aug 6, 2019
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 455 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. 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.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. 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.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. 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…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. 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…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. 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.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. 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
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 3,500 | 4 | 5 | 28 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 99 | 2,800 | 4 | 5 | 28 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 31 | 5,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 74 | 6,750 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 21 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 100 | 5,500 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 27 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2021 | 212 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 48 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 603 | 5,800 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 834 | 8,575 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 498 | 16,000 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 85 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 592 | 30,000 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 416 | 39,000 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 615 | 43,919 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 403 | 53,500 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 78 | 50,000 | 12 | 4 | 23 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 106 | 45,702 | 15 | 4 | 23 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 147 | 60,000 | 16 | 4 | 23 | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 262 | 65,000 | 17 | — | 22 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 178 | 57,000 | 17 | — | 22 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 50 | 88,900 | 1 | — | 22 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 74 | 56,750 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 88 | 51,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 93 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 219 | 96,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 189 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 88 | 87,365 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 139 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 75 | 78,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 131 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 101 | 93,998 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Subaru Forester model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?
Owners of the 2016 Forester most often report the key refusing to release from the ignition after parking, sudden loss of engine power or stalling while cruising, and unintended or surge-like acceleration at low speeds. The issues reported most often: Key stuck in ignition (won't release in Park); Loss of power / stalling while driving; Unintended or surge-like acceleration at low speed.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA recorded 416 consumer complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Subaru Forester is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 100 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 93.
Has the 2016 Subaru Forester been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Subaru Forester do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Subaru Forester 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Subaru Forester (Forester AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester reported?
Among the 218 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,000 miles and the middle half falls between 15,888 and 55,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.