2016 Subaru Forester Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 6%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,767miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 6% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,767 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I've had this car for 1.5 years and it's already stalled twice times. Both times I was driving on the highway and without any warning my car just started to rapidly decrease speed. Both times, I my gas meter said that I had over 50 miles of gas left in my car. Its absolutely terrifying because when the car shuts off, I have about two minute to get to the shoulder before it's completely dead.”
NHTSA complaint #11048323, filed 2017-11, 30,000 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 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. Very serious problem, could have been a fatal accident on highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11343912, filed 2020-08, 66,000 miles“I have had approximately 10 episodes where I have been driving and the vehicle seems like it's not getting any or very little gas even though there is plenty of gas in the gas tank . These episodes are intermittent and started last winter. The issue didn't occur over the summer but started again when it got cold. The last episode was about three weeks ago on the highway. I put my flashers on quickly and luckily avoided an accident . Unlike past episodes, the issue didn't resolve itself quickly, I had the gas pedal to the floor, but was only able to do a slow crawl. …”
NHTSA complaint #11384193, filed 2020-12, 54,000 miles“Vehicle suddenly accelerated when I had my foot on the brake pulling into a parking space. It went over an embankment and crashed nose first into the parking lot below.”
NHTSA complaint #10981165, filed 2017-04, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027090Dec 12, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11018914May 29, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11017438Apr 14, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11012265Dec 19, 2024This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11005617Jul 18, 2024This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 10201810Sep 24, 2021This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 10201059Aug 30, 2021This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 17 | 17% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 4% |
| 2017 | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 57 | 9% |
| 2014 | 21 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 8 | 8% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 22 | 24% |
| 2004 | 124 | 57% |
| 2003 | 57 | 30% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
| 2000 | 6 | 8% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 5% |
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 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsWheels
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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