Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 3, 2019 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?

Owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (100 complaints), followed by electrical system (93).

How many 2016 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?

40 of 416 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2016 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

3 recalls and 416 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Subaru Forester.

recalls

416

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Subaru Forester recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · reported October 3, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 366,282 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If 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.
The fix: Subaru 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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 19V149000 · reported February 28, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 1,303,530 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru 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.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, gasoline, turbo/supercharger

NHTSA campaign 16V162000 · reported March 21, 2016 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 18,187 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags100
Electrical system93
Unknown or other69
Engine60
Power train51
Vehicle speed control37
Service brakes29
Fuel/propulsion system24
Seats24
Visibility/wiper20

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 22, 2026 · Air bags
A recall repair (NHTSA Campaign: 19V701000) was previously performed on this vehicle to repair a defective occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat, which results in the passenger airbag being off even when the seat is occupied. Despite the work being done previously, the same problem has resurfaced, suggesting…

Oct 1, 2026 · Chest clip, buckle, harness
We purchased two new Evenflo Revolve 360 convertible car seats in November 2023 (Manufactured September 2023). After only two years of use, the harness straps are frayed almost all the way through. We noticed the issue in December 2025 and reached out to Evenflo in January 2026. The company claims that the fraying is…

Sep 22, 2026 · Power train · 100,000 miles · crash reported
The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a fire hydrant. While the foot was still on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and struck a street sign. The vehicle…

Sep 16, 2026 · Air bags
While driving, the car will beep and display a warning that the SRS system is malfunctioning. It will then turn passenger airbags off, even when there is a passenger sitting in the seat. I took the car in to Subaru of Glendale and was charged over $1000 to replace it, being told that i was not eligible for free…

Sep 14, 2026 · Suspension
We purchased a used car for my […] daughter on August 4th. of this year. On her trip to […] on …., appoximently 5pm, the drivers side rear wheel fell off, causing damage to the wheel, lugs, shocks, caliper and tire. She was able to pull over into a parking lot, where a stranger helped her out till I arrived. When I…

Forester model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2013	12	78	13	3
2014	2	403	48	3
2015	3	615	53	7
2016	3	416	40	3
2017	1	592	40	1
2018	3	498	26	1
2019	3	834	37	11

Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 3, 2019 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?: Owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (100 complaints), followed by electrical system (93).
How many 2016 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?: 40 of 416 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 22, 2026.