2016 Subaru Forester Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“During periods of heavy rain, the vehicle appears to suffer major electrical issues. Since february of 2018, my vehicle has reported problems after a major storm with the eyesight camera system, ABS, hill assist, and fuel gauge. Fyi-eyesight includes the dynamic cruise control, crash avoidance, and lane monitoring system. The issue has been reported to our Subaru dealer/maintenance team but they have not been able to discover the source of the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11098416, filed 2018-05, 32,000 miles“There were 5 major issues with my vehicle that I want investigated. I was driving straight nb on us-101 in the #1 lane of traffic, going approximately 75 MPH, when for no explainable reason, the rear tires of my 2016 Subaru Forester began to skid me across the #2 lane of traffic. I will note that it had just stopped sprinkling and the road was damp. Issue 1: during my skid, the skid control feature never engaged (which is a marketed feature and a reason I purchased this vehicle). I had to fight the skid on my own. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243025, filed 2019-08, 19,118 miles“I've had the same issue happen on 2 separate occasions (october and november 2016) - while driving the car I bought brand new, and going appx. 75 MPH down the interstate, driving approximately 2 hours straight on flat interstate, the RPM's all of a sudden shoot up and it feels like my car falls out of gear. The car essentially shuts down and fails to accelerate and slows down quickly, while totally unresponsive. We have to quickly pull off the road to avoid being hit. Several lights show on the dash (have photo) and the vehicle does not respond to acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10957292, filed 2017-02, 24,000 miles“On semi-slick patches of road, the 2016 Forester drivetrain wreaks havoc on the control systems and steering causing the vehicle to violently break right or left requiring hard steering to steer forward. Passengers suffer motion sickness; it is that bad. While other traffic (e.g., semi-trucks, gravel haulers, 20+ foot trailed vehicles) can pass the Forester with no problem at much higher speeds, the 2016 Forester cannot be driven over 40mph or sever loss of control (e.g., expressway); much like lug nuts loose on one or more wheels. …”
NHTSA complaint #11186271, filed 2019-03, 45,000 miles“Sudden acceleration while parking. All low speed <5 MPH. Car was in drive, braking, made a hard left turn then stopped. Car was shifted to reverse, moved 25 feet, brake and stopped. Car was shifted to drive (low), applied acceleration (light), hard right turn, brake applied, car accelerated, jumped curb, shifted car to park, turned off ignition. Restarted car, stability control light on, shift would not engage even with brake depressed. Remove shift lock cover (small button near shift) depressed release and move shift to neutral and then reverse to back off curb. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337719, filed 2020-07, 23,741 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2015 | 14 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Forester
100 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsWheels
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Forester
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology