Problems · by component

2016 Subaru Forester power train problems

51 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Forester cite power train, 12% of all 416 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
51
12% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“We purchased a used car for my [XXX] daughter on August 4th. of this year. On her trip to [XXX] on XXX., 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 arrived I was able to put the wheel back on, but all lugs nuts were gone and one lug was broken. We had to remove lugs nuts from the other wheels to secure the wheel back on. While removing the lug nuts from the other wheels, the passenger side real wheel lug nuts were all loose. Once we got the car back on the road, check warning lights were flashing and after scanning the codes, come to find the transmission is bad. We were very lucky that this did not happen the 70mph highway. There were no warning signs prior to any of this occurring. This happened at mile post 14 on [XXX] I have sent a certifide letter to Safford Subaru Mannassas, attn. the general manager, [XXX], which was received on signed off on Saturday XXX. at 10:18 am, but has been ignored. 1 week later, I sent him an email, which he acknowledged, but has again, ignored me. I have a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Suspension, Power train, WheelsODI 11764042
“When I drove the car, All most all light on the dashboard are on onthe road, and when I stop and tried to go, the car is somewhat not controled. I immidieatly went to dealership and dignosed P2764 CVT balve problem. And they add wheel bearing is problem. Subaru noticed these problems but my 88,278 mile 2016 forester has all the lights on and it was very scared and it took 4400 dollars for fixing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Suspension, Power train, WheelsODI 11754563
“I bought the car between 82-90K miles. Not long after I noticed when I was at an intersection and went from a stopped position to accelerating it would barely go. Spent over a lot to fix it and the guy who did says he has 2-3 Forresters a month in his shop for the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2025Power trainODI 11683894
“THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE SUBARU COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY MADE AN EDUCATED GUESS REPAIR TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH MAY MALFUNCTION DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE,SLIPPAGE, TO LOCKINGUP. This afternoon, while my daughter was driving through the Mojave Desert on her way back home to Mammoth Lakes, Ca.; her dash light came on- AT OIL TEMP Warning, forcing multiple stops to cool the vehicle. The trip back to Hacienda Heights took over four hours (4) in extreme heat. I’ve attached a photo of the dash warning for your reference. After she called me from the road, I instructed her to turn around and wait for the warning light to turn off. (Google’s guidance emphasized cooling the transmission before resuming travel). Thankfully, the route [XXX] from Mojave was mostly downhill, which helped reduce strain on the vehicle—but it was still a stressful and exhausting experience. MY LETTER SUBARU I need to be candid: my time and patience are wearing thin. I’ve remained cooperative throughout this process and paid about $644 out-of-pocket for repairs specifically…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2025Power trainODI 11680675
“When parked on a slope, driver attempted to back SUV out of parking space. Before starting car, with key inserted, ignition on and foot on brake, driver attempted to remove gearshift from park. Car drifted backward rapidly and uncontrollably. The brakes completely failed even with foot on brake. The car was a hazard to anyone in its path and could not be stopped. The emergency brake was attempted but failed to stop the car. Power steering failed. Gearshift could not be put back into park. SUV crashed heavily into a sign protecting the gas pump, but auto suffered major damage: REAR WRAP AROUND BUMPER, ENTIRE POWER LIFT DOOR, AND FRAME, were included in the damage. Driver was the wife of a couple. Very importantly, the husband had experienced the exact same uncontrollable roll-back in the same vehicle at the same place a few weeks earlier, but somehow missed the gas pump and sign. At that time, the car was uncontrollable and caused panic for both drivers in separate incidents. THAT'S NOT ALL--of key importance was a conversation we--as a couple--had with the salesman and the dealership's lead mechanic when the auto was purchased in 2017. We pointed out that when…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2024Power train, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 11618333

Showing 6 of 51 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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