Model year
2016 Subaru Forester
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 415 complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (98), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (90), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (69). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the SUV AWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 75 complaints
- 2001 139 complaints
- 2002 88 complaints
- 2003 189 complaints
- 2004 219 complaints
- 2005 93 complaints
- 2006 88 complaints
- 2007 74 complaints
- 2008 50 complaints
- 2009 178 complaints
- 2010 262 complaints
- 2011 147 complaints
- 2012 105 complaints
- 2013 78 complaints
- 2014 403 complaints
- 2015 615 complaints
- 2016 415 complaints
- 2017 592 complaints
- 2018 498 complaints
- 2019 834 complaints
- 2020 603 complaints
- 2021 211 complaints
- 2022 100 complaints
- 2023 74 complaints
- 2024 31 complaints
- 2025 98 complaints
- 2026 29 complaints
Recalls
19V701000 · Oct 3, 2019
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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…
16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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…
Complaints
415 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 40, fire flag on 3, injury field 17, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE19009 | Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION; AIR BAGS | Aug 6, 2019 | Jan 22, 2020 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD · 2.5L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Forester AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Forester AWD · 2L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 23 | 27 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Subaru Forester at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.