CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2016 Subaru FORESTER — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 3 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch.

Most-reported issue: Air Bags (86 owner reports of 405 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Air Bags, Electrical System — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Air Bags86
Electrical System81
Unknown Or Other43
Power Train43
Engine32
Vehicle Speed Control25
Steering19
Visibility/Wiper18
Wheels11
Suspension10

Official recalls

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, 2008-2…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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 t…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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, an…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Rival: 2016 Honda CR-VRival: 2016 Toyota RAV4Rival: 2016 Subaru OUTBACKSame class: 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOXSame class: 2016 Ford ESCAPESame class: 2016 Ford EXPLORER
Check another vehicleCompare similar vehiclesConfirm VIN
Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.