2016 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 12%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 12% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 miles. 6 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.
“My car is slowing down drastically while my foot is on the gas and RPM is increasing. I suspect that the CVT is slipping and causing the car to engine brake. This is the reason Subaru extended the CVT warranty, but they have refused to replace my transmission because the dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem. There needs to be a recall on these cvts.”
NHTSA complaint #11246210, filed 2019-08, 60,000 miles“Vehicle was parked on a level surface. I started the car, put my foot on the brake. Release the parking brake, put the car into drive, release the brake. The car started rolling backwards rather quickly. I stepped on the brake, released it again and the car started rolling forwards. The car was definitely in drive, it should not have gone backwards.”
NHTSA complaint #10926830, filed 2016-11, 1,832 miles“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“There is a leak in the head gasket which ruined a temperature gauge ($700 to replace). The mechanics say it is a design flaw and there is nothing I could do to avoid the issue and it will keep happening until I fix the leak.”
NHTSA complaint #11339614, filed 2020-07, 70,000 miles“When shifting from reverse to drive, there is a 3 to 4 second lag time in the transmission between shifting and getting power to the wheels. This is very dangerous when you back out of your driveway, especially if you live on a busy street (as we do). I took it to the dealer today and they said this is normal for the type of transmission (CVT) and they wouldn't even look at it. This is irresponsible and needs to be corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #10928684, filed 2016-11, 6,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This 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…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Forester
100 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsFuel system
24 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 30, 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