Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Subaru Forester problems

Owners filed 416 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Forester with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (100).

Complaints
416
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
40
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags100
  2. Electrical system93
  3. Engine60
  4. Power train51
  5. Vehicle speed control37
  6. Service brakes29
  7. Seats24
  8. Fuel/propulsion system24
  9. Visibility/wiper20
  10. Steering19
  11. Wheels17
  12. Suspension14
  13. Structure11
  14. Forward collision avoidance8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20154
201630
201719
201836
201980
202063
202136
202240
202339
202429
202520
202620

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

100 reports9 crashes1 related recall
“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 that the recall service was not performed correctly or was performed with parts that were still faulty. I contacted Subaru of America to alert them of this but they have refused redo the procedure despite the problem not being corrected.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Air bags, SeatsODI 11772973

Electrical system

93 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Problem: Recall for passenger side airbag malfunction in heated seats for my model year. Manufacturer has said they addressed the recall but they have not. My car and thousands of others are unsafe for passengers to ride in because the airbag system does not work. Warning light is the airbag symbol and message that alerts driver that SRS system is not working. Manufacturer and dealers want to charge 200 to look problem over and then tell you its off warranty. My car has 96000 miles and this has been a problem since they “did the recall”. Subaru tells owners that passenger should ride in back seat. How does that work with two car seats. Subaru needs to take responsibility for their engineering design and fix this safety defect. These cars are death traps.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11740447

Engine

60 reports4 crashes2 fires
“Subaru Forrester was misfiring and sputtering as if it was going to stop running. The car was shaking. Had car towed to Subaru dealer for Service. At first we thought Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils but this did not fix the issue. Service determined a spring valve was broken which caused the issues. I have escalated the issue with Subaru Corporate, waiting for their response. Other Subaru models have had this issue with the spring valves.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2025EngineODI 11656222

Power train

51 reports6 crashes
“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 continued to accelerate across the street and accelerated up a hill. The vehicle headed straight towards a home and crashed into the home, which caused the vehicle to stop. The air bags deployed upon impact, with white smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle without severe injury. Due to a setting on her iPhone, the contact's family members and Police were alerted immediately that there was a crash. The crash into the residence caused a pipe inside the home to burst and flooded outside the home. The crash caused damage to the home, the street sign, and the fire hydrant. Authorities arrived at the scene, and the contact’s vital signs were checked. The contact sustained a severe bruise to the left shin and severe mental anguish. The contact was transported to a hospital and was given an MRI; no further injuries were discovered.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Power trainCrash reportedODI 11766126

Vehicle speed control

37 reports16 crashes
“When the car accelerates to around 70 mph, the right front side starts to shake and vibrate, giving the impression of driving on a bumpy road. The issue becomes noticeably worse when changing lanes to the right. Both wheel alignment and tire balancing have been checked and found to be fine. After researching online, many Subaru owners have reported similar issues caused by problems with the lower control arm or wheel bearing, leading to shaking at high speeds. However, when contacting Subaru of America about this, they declined responsibility, citing an expired warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2024Suspension, Vehicle speed control, WheelsODI 11626190

Service brakes

29 reports8 crashes
“I had my foot on the brake, opened the garage door with my garage door opener, and before I took my foot off the brake the car surged, jumped, and smashed into the brick wall next to the garage. I did not put my foot on the gas.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11726168
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.