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2016 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

3Safety recalls
405Owner complaints
5★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2016 Subaru Forester has 3 open NHTSA safety recalls and 405 owner complaints on file, with an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether the work was done and to verify mileage and title.

Safety record reviewed June 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2016 Subaru Forester has 3 open safety recalls and 405 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public safety record. To see whether a specific Forester had its recalls repaired and how its mileage and title check out, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Campaign 19V149000 · 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

RiskBrake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
RemedySubaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
2

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign 19V701000 · 03/10/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

RiskIf the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
RemedySubaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Campaign 16V162000 · 21/03/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

RiskAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
RemedySubaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

What owners complain about

The systems 2016 Subaru Forester owners report most often to federal regulators:

Air Bags95
Electrical System93
Unknown Or Other68
Engine60
Power Train48
Vehicle Speed Control37

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. The 2016 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check your specific VIN to see whether the work was completed.

What problems do 2016 Subaru Forester owners report?

Owners have filed 405 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2016 Subaru Forester, most often about the air bags, electrical system, unknown or other.

How do I check a specific Forester's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2016 Subaru Forester

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm its recalls, mileage and title.

Check a VIN