2016 Subaru Forester · recalls
2016 Subaru Forester recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recalls that include the 2016 Subaru Forester. The newest, 19V-701, was filed Oct 3, 2019 for the airbags.
- 3recalls
- 3systems
- 413owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Jan 22, 2020 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
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.
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.
99 of the 413 owner complaints on this car cite the airbags, 11 of them the same part of it (Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification). Symptom sheets that include this system: Airbag warning light or recall (99) · Passenger airbag sensor problems (49) · Takata airbag inflator recall (37).
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 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.
6 of the 413 owner complaints on this car cite the exterior lighting.
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 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.
No owner complaint on this car cites the engine and engine cooling. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (42).
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2016 Subaru Forester complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Electrical: 93 complaints, no recallstalling · dead battery
- Engine: 60 complaints, no recallstalling
- Transmission and drivetrain: 50 complaints, no recallstalling
- Speed control: 37 complaints, no recall
- Brakes: 29 complaints, no recallbrake wear
NHTSA investigations
Occupant detection system (ods) failure. Closed jan 22, 2020, led to recall 19V-701.
NHTSA summary
More on the 2016 Subaru Forester
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