2016 Subaru Forester Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 9%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,279miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 9% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,279 miles. 16 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 was preparing to park my car ,in the parking lot of the giant parking lot my foot was on the brake and the car was almost at a complete stop when the car suddenly accelerated . Upon acceleration, the car hit the steel construction unit that is built to store the customer shopping carts and dragged this forward before crashing into the side of a vehicle that was in the next aisle”
NHTSA complaint #11390652, filed 2021-01, 15,000 miles“'several times over the last 3 months the vehicle randomly accelerates usually when I brake to slow down the car. I have to put the car in neutral to stop the racing of the engine. It happens at various speeds, 5,10,20, 60. It is scary and I have to allow extra room while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11415823, filed 2021-05, 75,000 miles“I was parking my car. I had the brake applied and put it in park. The car accelerated on its own over a parking barrier, over a 1.5' stone barrier, up a small grade and into and partially thru a concrete patio wall. The car's gearshift was in park. I had to move it back to reverse to get it back into the parking space. And even though the impact was substantial the airbag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10981716, filed 2017-05, 13,000 miles“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“My Forester accelerates without my knowledge. There have been instances when I stop at light and advance it sometimes accelerates more than I have pressed on gas.”
NHTSA complaint #11324790, filed 2020-05, 35,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 9 | 9% |
| 2021 | 12 | 6% |
| 2020 | 24 | 4% |
| 2019 | 27 | 3% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 37 | 9% |
| 2015 | 70 | 11% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 24 | 9% |
| 2009 | 19 | 11% |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 8 | 11% |
| 2006 | 20 | 23% |
| 2005 | 17 | 18% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 23 | 26% |
| 2001 | 29 | 21% |
| 2000 | 4 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 14 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Forester
100 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 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