2016 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 42owner reports
- 42,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Feb 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
187 of the 414 complaints on this car are about the engine. 42 of those describe stalling. Only airbag is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 42 reports
Stalling on other Forester years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (10 reports) and the fuel pump (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
All 3 recalls on the 2016 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 29,000 and 50,100 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“I have a 2016 Subaru Forester and started 3 weeks ago with a problem when I turn it on all the lights on the dashboard turn on and the car won't star. The mechanic has changed the battery and the problem continues. It's happened three times now that it's suddenly shut off while I'm driving. It was very scary. Now the mechanic said that I have to take to the dealer because it is the body control module.”
Filed Feb 12, 2026
“This 2016 Subaru Forester PCV Valve does not regulate the combustion system properly, this allows oil to enter this chamber. It causes loss of power and acceleration when driving. Hazardous driving conditions can cause accidents. crankcase ventilation issues engine oil system issues”
Filed Sep 19, 2023
“Battery drain due to CAN system. Has caused loss of power to functions of car resulting in vehicle dynamic control and airbags to be turned of in the middle of driving causing the ABS to become unusable in the case of an accident putting everyone in the car at risk of injury or death.”
Filed Jun 16, 2023
“Check engine light, service emissions, dash lights blinking and loss of power!!! I was pulling out into a busy intersection and warning lights started to flash and i lost power to cylinder #2 (per the technician at Van Subaru, he told me the alternator was sending bad info to the computer) and i was almost T-BONED as i limped through the intersection.”
Filed Nov 22, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 42 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 99 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 35 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 29 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 27 reports