2016 Subaru Forester Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 3 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.
“Have less then 10,000 miles on my vehicle. I purchased it brand new. When I tried to start it today, the steering wheel seemed locked and the error message came on. It's parked in a semi-heated garage at home.”
NHTSA complaint #11377388, filed 2020-12, 8,000 miles“My Subaru Forester is equipped with Airbags and Subaru's Eye Sight anti-collision braking system. On Aug 5th my wife met with an accident while trying to avoid a head-on collision side swiped a vehicle on the right lane which hit the car on the rear side and the impact further changed the direction of her car and she went and hit the steel fence stone pillar on the right side. The frontal collision with the stone pillar damaged the bumper and car engine is dislocated from its position as the frame is deformed and the front tires jammed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11478865, filed 2022-08“I was driving very slowly in a long line of traffic due to a sudden downpour of hail, ice pellets, and frozen rain which blanketed the road in white. Suddenly, without warning, my 2016 Subaru Forester accelerated and veered to the right and into a grove of trees doing extensive damage to the front end. The vehicle was totaled by my insurance company. I suspect that there was sudden acceleration and because of the icy road conditions my car left the road instead of plowing into the car ahead of me. The airbags didn't go off and I wasn't hurt at all but the entire front end was beyond repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11585676, filed 2024-04“about a year ago all warning lights came on. Subaru fixed the rodent issue for $4000. today, 8/5/2022 same issue happened, i was driving home and forward braking, cruise control, check engine light, ATC TEMP and dynamic traction control lights came on. this vehicle has some issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11477829, filed 2022-08“During the January snow storm in the Washington, DC area the ADAS system began to malfunction. The system that controls Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning all shut off. The vehicle was parked at an upward facing angle in order to allow all moisture to drain out/off the back of the vehicle. Once dry, the issue resolved itself. The same issue happened in the past and was tied to an issue with a brake light switch. …”
NHTSA complaint #11453835, filed 2022-02Related service bulletins
- 11023536Sep 30, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address…
- 11021263Jul 29, 2025This announcement provides information about a Subaru of America, Inc. preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding the EyeSight system in certain Subaru vehicles.
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 22% |
| 2025 | 13 | 13% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 15 | 15% |
| 2021 | 17 | 8% |
| 2020 | 43 | 7% |
| 2019 | 43 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
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