CarBrief

NHTSA has 415 owner complaints for the 2016 Forester, and the biggest groups are air bags and the electrical system[1][2][3]. Three recalls apply to this model, so check that the work was done on any car you buy[4][5][6].

415owner complaints[1]
3recalls[7]
25–27MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 415 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 40 mention a crash[1], 3 mention a fire[1] and 17 mention an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Crashes
Air bags[2] 99 9
Electrical system[3] 93 4
Unknown or other[10] 69 7
Engine[11] 60 4
Power train[12] 51 6
Speed control[13] 37 16
Brakes[14] 29 8
Fuel/propulsion system[15] 24 5

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 9 describe the passenger air bag system switching off or showing a warning light (three of those are one text filed three times)[2]. Three describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. Recall 19V701 below covers a related passenger air bag fault[4].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 5 describe a sudden loss of power or stalling while driving[3]. Single texts describe warning lights, a flat battery, water inside the cabin and a vehicle fire[3].

Engine. In a sample of 12 texts, 6 describe stalling, often at speed or without warning, and 4 describe hesitation or lurching when accelerating[11]. Some texts fall into both groups.

Power train. In a sample of 12 texts, 5 describe a delay when shifting into drive or reverse, or hesitation to accelerate[12]. Four describe a sudden surge forward or unexpected rolling[12].

Speed control. This group is smaller at 37 complaints, but 16 of them mention a crash and the median mileage at failure is 17,279[13]. We did not read a sample of these texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first[7].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2016 Forester. All are all-wheel drive.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, regular[16] 22 / 28 / 25 $2,700
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), regular[8] 24 / 31 / 27 $2,500
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), premium[17] 23 / 27 / 25 $3,300

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. The turbo version uses premium fuel and has the highest listed annual fuel cost, at $3,300[17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2016 Forester 5 stars overall[9]. Frontal crash is 4 stars[9], side crash is 5 stars[9] and rollover is 4 stars[9]. The rollover risk is listed as 16.9%[9].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 250 hp[18] and the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 170 hp[19].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2.0XT[20] 181 in 71 in 69 in 104 in 3,635 lb
2.5i[21] 181 in 71 in 69 in 104 in 3,303 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

1998: 101 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 75 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 139 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 88 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 189 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 219 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 93 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 88 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 74 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 178 complaints, 17 recalls2010: 262 complaints, 17 recalls20102011: 147 complaints, 16 recalls2012: 105 complaints, 15 recalls2013: 78 complaints, 12 recalls20132014: 403 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 615 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 415 complaints, 3 recalls41520162017: 592 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 498 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 834 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 603 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 210 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 100 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 74 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 98 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forester model year. The 2016 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981011
19991311
2000750
20011390
2002881
20031893
20042192
2005931
2006882
2007741
2008501
200917817
201026217
201114716
201210515
20137812
20144032
20156153
20164153
20175921
20184983
20198343
20206030
20212100
20221001
2023741
2024312
2025984
2026294

NHTSA has 415 complaints and 3 recalls for 2016[7]. Nearby years look like this[7]:

Year Complaints Recalls
2014 403 2
2015 615 3
2016 415 3
2017 592 1
2018 498 3
2019 834 3
2020 603 0

Of the years 2014 to 2020, only 2014 has fewer complaints than 2016. Years from 2021 on also have fewer, and so do 2009 to 2013, though those older years each have 12 to 17 recalls[7]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Forester?

The 2016 Forester has fewer complaints than most of its neighboring years, with 415 complaints and no reported deaths[1][7]. It earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[9]. The themes worth asking about are the passenger air bag warning, stalling and shifting delays, which come from small samples of complaint texts[2][11][12]. Before buying, ask the seller to show that recalls 19V701 and 19V149 were handled, and ask whether a 2.0XT car falls under 16V162[4][5][6]. Fuel economy of 25 to 27 MPG combined is about the same across the versions, but the turbo uses premium fuel and has the highest listed annual fuel cost[16][8][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Subaru Forester?
Air bags (99 complaints) and the electrical system (93) are the largest NHTSA complaint groups out of 415 total[1][2][3]. In the small samples we read, owners describe the passenger air bag switching off and stalling[2][11].
Does the 2016 Forester have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three: 19V701 for the passenger air bag sensor, 19V149 for the brake light switch and 16V162 for the turbo air intake duct on 2.0XT cars built in 2015[4][5][6].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Forester get?
EPA rates it at 25 combined MPG with the 2.5L manual, 27 with the 2.5L automatic and 25 with the 2.0L turbo[16][8][17].
How safe is the 2016 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[9].
Is 2016 a good year for the Forester?
It has 415 complaints and 3 recalls[7]. Among 2014 to 2020, only 2014 has fewer complaints, at 403[7].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 415 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Subaru Forester (40 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 99 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 93 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,589). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 19V701, filed October 3, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V149, filed February 28, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V162, filed March 21, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 69 complaints name the unknown or other component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 60 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 51 complaints name the power train component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 37 complaints name the speed control component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,279). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 29 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 24 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,767). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Subaru Forester with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.0XT: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,635 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.5i: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,303 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.