2016 Subaru Forester Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the seat belts of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,600 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.
“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“This used vehicle was purchased from a dealer as a great buy , with 74589 miles on may 23, 2018. Less than one week later, bells and dings began sounding while driving, light indicators indicated that the srs system needed to be checked; that the passenger airbag was not on sometimes, other times it was..intermittent. Car in motion both on city streets and on highway. No recalls were reported at that time, and I never knew while driving whether either side seatbelts were engaged when I knew they were, nor whether airbags were viable. Dangerous for driver and for passenger. …”
NHTSA complaint #11132985, filed 2018-10, 75,021 miles“Intermittent dash light saying the passenger seat belt and air bag is turned off with passenger in the seat and when car is being driven. Comes on in city and highway driving both..”
NHTSA complaint #11252254, filed 2019-08, 48,600 miles“No damage or water spill to the car whatsoever, but now the SRS passenger airbag light is on. This is a recurrent issue with Suabru, and there was even a recall for this part a few years ago, which was replaced in my vehicle during that period. Less than 5 years later, there is already an issue with it. This is not an oil change or a tire replacement; it is an AIRBAG SENSOR!! I cannot find any definite information indicating that my own driver's airbag will go off while the SRS light is on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11680909, filed 2025-08“Passenger commented, asking why their seatbelt attachment point was not properly anchored and was hanging loose from front seat. Upon investigation, we noticed that the bolt holding the end of the LH portion of the passenger seatbelt had backed out. We were able to make a temporary field repair by tightening the bolt back in with our fingers, and later needed to use a 17mm wrench to further tighten the bolt to the point where it appeared to be reasonably tightened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11483816, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 10213193May 18, 2022This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10201027Aug 4, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 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 31, 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