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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Subaru Forester recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 415
Latest campaign: Oct 3, 2019

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Oct 3, 2019	19V701000
Exterior lighting	1	Feb 28, 2019	19V149000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Mar 21, 2016	16V162000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 3, 2019Latest campaign


Oct 3, 201919V701000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 19V701000 What's wrong 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. 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V701000 · Oct 3, 2019
Feb 28, 201919V149000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V149000 What's wrong 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. 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019
Mar 21, 201616V162000	Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V162000 What's wrong 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. Risk An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016

Oct 3, 201919V701000

Air bags: sensor occupant classification

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…

DetailsHide details for campaign 19V701000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 19V701000 · Oct 3, 2019

Feb 28, 201919V149000

Exterior lighting: brake lights switch

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 19V149000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019

Mar 21, 201616V162000

Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V162000

What's wrong: 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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Subaru Forester? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component415

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

415Complaints filed

40Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

17Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	99	24	9	0	7
Electrical system	93	22	4	1	0
Unknown or other	69	17	7	1	5
Engine	60	14	4	2	2
Power train	51	12	6	0	2
Vehicle speed control	37	9	16	0	7
Service brakes	29	7	8	0	3
Fuel/propulsion system	24	6	5	0	1
Seats	23	6	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	20	5	0	0	0
Steering	19	5	3	0	3
Wheels	17	4	1	0	0
Suspension	14	3	1	1	1
Structure	11	3	7	1	3
Forward collision avoidance	8	2	3	0	1

10 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Chest clip
“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.”
Filed 10/01/2026 · ODI 11768322
Power train
“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.”
Filed 09/22/2026 · ODI 11766126
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.”
Filed 09/16/2026 · ODI 11764817

Other Subaru Forester model years

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Other Subaru models

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2016 Subaru Forester recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester. The most recent, 19V701000 (reported October 3, 2019), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Subaru Forester?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 99 complaints out of 415 filed with NHTSA (24%). Across all complaints, owners reported 40 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Subaru Forester?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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