Overall rating (best variant)
Safety ratings
2016 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
- Lane departure warningOptional
- Forward collision warningOptional
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 19V149000 · 28/02/2019
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.
Fix: 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGERCampaign 16V162000 · 21/03/2016
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.
Fix: 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.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONCampaign 19V701000 · 03/10/2019
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.
Fix: 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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- AIR BAGS98
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM93
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER69
- ENGINE60
- POWER TRAIN49
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL37
- SERVICE BRAKES29
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/2019· SUSPENSION
WHEN I WENT FOR MY INSPECTION STICKER,IT FAILED DUE TO A BROKEN RIGHT REAR SPRING,THEN WENT I BROUGHT IT TO BE REPAIRED I FOUND OUT THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO BROKEN.
- 12/28/2018· ENGINE
TODAY MARKS THE THIRD TIME WE ARE TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHEN ACCELERATING.
- 12/27/2024· ENGINE
My car has required multiple jumps and batteries, since I bought it new. I have records of the services for jumps, and new batteries. The car continues to have a parasitic battery drain, that has caused me to be stranded multiple times. The car is currently at the dealership, and they want to do a DCM test to see if this is cause. I was not informed of battery class action lawsuit, and extension of DCM warranty by Subaru. The dealership staff never discussed this with me as a possible cause, and that I may be eligible for warranty.
- 12/27/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery drains constantly. I’ve had it replaced several times but it continues to die even when I jump it repeatedly. This may be a known issue but the Subaru dealership’s tech refused to admit their car’s electrical system caused the issue and attempted to have me continue to drive with a dead battery, then have AAA replace the battery under the AAA warranty (even though Subaru’s car was at fault, not AAA’s battery), which was really disingenuous. At the dealership, I was told that if I chose to have Subaru replace the battery (as they should given it has a class action settlement and has an extended warranty) I “may never get paid” if I submitted a class action lawsuit claim. My car has died multiple times, inconveniencing me again and again, even at gas stations. The way Subaru is handling their electrical system error is not professional at all.
- 12/27/2019· AIR BAGS
2016 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
- 12/26/2020· AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON NOVEMBER 7, 2020 AROUND 630PM, I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET GOING NW ON SUNSET IN FAIR OAKS, CA IN A FAR RIGHT LANE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH WITH ONE OTHER CARS INFRONT OR BESIDES ME. CERTAINLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LOUD BOOM, I COULD NOT SEE AND REALIZED MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THEN I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT I SAW A DEER LIMPING. SO I IMMEDIATELY KNEW I JUST HIT A DEER FROM MY FRONT LEFT CORNER BUMPER AFTER I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE STREET. AFTER I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE STREET I NOTICE ALL AIRBAGS IN THE CAR DEPLOYED INCLUDING THE SEATS, DASHBOARD, ROOF AND SIDE AIRBAGS. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT BASE ON THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE HIT BY THE DEER, THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR SHOULDN'T BE DEPLOYED. SO I COMAINT TO SUBARU. IT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. I BELIEVE HITTING THE DEER SHOULD HAVE NOT MADE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOYED ESPECIALLY THE ENTIRE AIRBAGS SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATE CAME OUT TO BE OVER $15000 TO FIX. MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR.
- 12/21/2018· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR ISSUES TO THE GENTLEMAN WHOSE NHTSA # IS 11161972. ON THREE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AN HOUR AND USUALLY GOING UP AND INCLINE, MY ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND THE CAR WOULD DIE. ALL THREE TIMES MY CAR SCREEN SHOWED THAT I HAD BETWEEN 60 AND 80 MILES LEFT IN MY TANK AND MY FUEL GAUGE WHICH SHOW TWO CLICKS TO THE RIGHT OF EMPTY. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT COULD BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I NEEDED GAS IN MY CAR . AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED AAA AND THEY BROUGHT ME 2 GALLONS OF GAS TO GET ME TO THE NEXT EXIT TO SO THAT I CAN FILL MY TANK. THE SECOND TIME I HAD MOVED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AS MY CAR WAS DYING. I HAD WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHILE I WAS WAITING ON AAA AGAIN TO SHOW UP WHEN I DECIDED TO START MY CAR AND THE ENGINE STARTED. I WAS LITERALLY 2/10 OF A MILE FROM THE GAS STATION SO I HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION TO FILL MY TANK. THE THIRD TIME AS I WAS INCLINING ON A HILL IN THE FAST LANE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR. FORTUNATELY I THOUGHT FAST AND HIT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AS I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND MY CAR. THIS TIME I MOVED OVER INTO THE LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS SHOWING BETWEEN 60 AND 90 MILES OF GAS LEFT IN MY TANK AND ALWAYS WITH TWO CLICKS ON THE FULL GAGE. I AM NOT SURE AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS YET WE'RE UNABLE TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TRIED TO DRIVE IT. AS SOMEONE WHO PUTS A LOT OF ROAD MILES ON THEIR CAR FOR WORK, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SCARY AS MY TRAVELS ARE ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT ALWAYS IN LARGE CITIES. ONE THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON NHTSA TICKET # 11161972 MATCHES MINE EXACTLY BASED ON WHAT IS SHOWN ON YOUR SITE. ALL HWY DRIVING.
- 12/20/2016· FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2016 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE EYESIGHT SYSTEM PROBLEMS, FRONTAL COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED OCCASIONALLY, THE SYSTEM WOULD SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE APPROPRIATE WARNING LIGHTS. THE SYSTEM WOULD RE-START ON ITS OWN ANYWHERE FROM IMMEDIATELY TO FIVE MINUTES AFTER FAILURE. WHILE THE SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, THE FRONTAL COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. IF HE ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND BY SLOWING DOWN. *JB
- 12/19/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 10 EPISODES WHERE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE SEEMS LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ANY OR VERY LITTLE GAS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS PLENTY OF GAS IN THE GAS TANK . THESE EPISODES ARE INTERMITTENT AND STARTED LAST WINTER. THE ISSUE DIDN'T OCCUR OVER THE SUMMER BUT STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT GOT COLD. THE LAST EPISODE WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON QUICKLY AND LUCKILY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT . UNLIKE PAST EPISODES, THE ISSUE DIDN'T RESOLVE ITSELF QUICKLY, I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO DO A SLOW CRAWL. IT FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO GO AGAIN, BUT THEN ANOTHER EPISODE HAPPENED BEFORE I MADE IT TO MY EXIT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SLUGGISH SINCE THEN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD, BUT ANOTHER EPISODE HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OF YET. I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU MECHANICS IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND LAST WINTER WHEN THE ISSUES FIRST STARTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BAD GAS, AND WAS CHARGED $95 FOR IT. I HAVE USED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS, AND I'M SURE IT'S NOT BAD GAS SINCE THE ISSUE IS CONTINUING.
- 12/17/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER.THE CONTACT STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD ,THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS LIGHTS ON HIS VEHICLE ARE NOT PROPERLY WORKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING .THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STOPS ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY NOTIFICATION
- 12/17/2018· ENGINE
2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF COMPLETE ENGINE POWER LOSS WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT CRUISING SPEEDS. BOTH IN INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH LOW FUEL ABOUT 1/8TH TANK (2-3 GALLONS) VERIFIED BASED ON AMOUNT REFILLED TO FULL. FUEL GAUGE WAS READING 2 BARS (1/8) AND LOW FUEL LIGHT ON BUT SHOWING 70 MILES OF FUEL REMAINING. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GOING UP VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. SUDDEN NON-RESPONSE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SUBSEQUENT DECELERATION AS CAR WAS DRIVEN TO SHOULDER. ENGINE SHIFT DOWN COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WHILE ON SIDE OF ROAD. IN FIRST INCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 78W IN PA, THE CAR COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED UNTIL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AFTER TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND INSPECTED BUT NO ROOT CAUSE FOUND OR REPORTED. THE CAR WAS OPERATED FOR ANOTHER ~20,000 MILES UNTIL SECOND EVENT ON NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY SOUTH WHERE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR WAS COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO NEAREST GAS STATION AND FILLED UP, REQUIRING 14.1 GALLONS. THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON NOV 28TH, 2018. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS SECOND EVENT HAS NOT YET BEEN COMMUNICATED TO SUBARU YET WAS POSTED BY ME ON AN ONLINE FORUM IN RESPONSE TO OTHER USERS REPORTING SIMILAR ENGINE ISSUES AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH SIMILAR LOW FUEL CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THE ISSUE HERE BECAUSE IT SEEMS MY INCIDENTS ARE NOT UNIQUE AND PRESENT SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
- 12/16/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED SIRIUS RADIO DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO HAVE TO TUNE THE RADIO MANUALLY, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER FROM CAREFUL OPERATION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY THE SUBARU DEALER TO CORRECT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S CLAIM TO SELL SAFE VEHICLES!
- 12/15/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER WHEN UNDERWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PREDICTABILITY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF ENTERING TRAFFIC OR EVEN WHEN MOVING ON CONGESTED ROADS. NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AT ALL, THE CAR JUST DIES WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS HAPPENED MONTHS AND EVEN YEARS APART. ALL ATTEMPTS BY THE SUBARU SERVICE TEAM HAVE FAILED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND FIXING GUESSES AT TO WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG HAVE FAILED. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE COME TO FIND THAT THE FIRST OWNER RETURNED THIS AS A LEMON FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW SUBARU OF AMERICA IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T AGREE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND GET IT OFF THE ROAD PERMANENTLY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR GETS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IT MUST NOT EXIST AND YET THREE DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AND A PRIOR OWNER (I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THIS IS) RETURNED THE CAR WITH THE SAME INDEPENDENT EXPERIENCE. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. I AM SURE WHEN THIS CAR WAS FIRST RETURNED AS A LEMON THEY COULDN'T ISOLATE THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY COULDN'T RECREATE IT. I SUSPECT THAT THEY FIXED WHAT THEY 'THOUGHT' WAS THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT A TEST DRIVE OF EVEN A THOUSAND MILES MIGHT NOT REVEAL THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT IT BACK OUT THERE AS FIXED AND LIKE NEW. NOW THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS RECURRED IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO NOT TAKE THIS CAR BACK AS A TWO TIME LEMON AND DESTROY IT BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURS.
- 12/15/2019· AIR BAGS,SEATS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ABOUT SEAT SENSOR AND AIRBAG DEFECT. NEED TO,GET,THIS REPAIRED AS A RECALL, BUT PARTS SUPPOSEDLY NOT YET AVAILABLE. ERROR MESSAGES SINCE AUGUST WHEN DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN AIR BAG ISSUE.
- 12/15/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EYESIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENT SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. ON AN INCREASINGLY FREQUENT BASIS, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL AND EYESIGHT ARE ENGAGED, BOTH WILL DISABLE AND CAN BE A FEW SECONDS TO MINUTES BEFORE THE EYESIGHT RE-ENABLES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN MANUALLY BE RE-ENGAGED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, VEHICLE GOES FROM AUTO-DRIVE TO MANUAL-DRIVE. ALSO, AN E1 ERROR APPEARED ON THE ODOMETER DISPLAY.
- 12/14/2020· ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED IN INTERSECTION. CAR HAS A ROUGH IDLE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS STALLED. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR BUT NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE.
- 12/14/2015· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE DRIVER STOPPED TO MAKE A U-TURN THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO TAKE HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE RIGHT (OPPOSITE DIRECTION). THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER COLLIDING INTO A STREET POLE.
- 12/13/2022· POWER TRAIN
The contact owns 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that she persistently depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where she was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
- 12/13/2021· WHEELS
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, there was a loud humming noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear wheel bearing failed but the contact was unaware which wheel needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but years later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both rear wheels bearings failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,050.
- 12/13/2019· ENGINE
VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. THIS OCCURS SPORADICALLY WHEN STOPPING OR WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS, NEITHER COULD DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER ONE DID SUGGEST IT MAY BE A PCV VALVE. THIS APPEARS QUITE SIMILAR TO THE RECENT RECALL (19V856) WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR.
- 12/12/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE COMPANY PROVIDED (EXTRA COST) RUBBER FLOOR MATS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND SLIPPERY. FOR SOME INEXPLICABLE REASON THE GRID LINES RUN FRONT TO BACK (NOT CROSSWISE OR DIAGONAL), SO WHEN FLOOR MATS ARE WET (RAIN, SNOW OCCUR OFTEN HERE) DRIVER'S FEET SLIP WHICH IS DANGEROUS WITH GAS AND BRAKING PEDALS.
- 12/11/2023· SUSPENSION
- On 3/6/2023 upon exiting my garage I noticed the rear right spring had broken off and was on the ground. - On 3/7/2023 I took my vehicle to Pops Exhaust (CT Licensed repairer R6579) located at 53 Slater Street, Manchester, CT 06042, which repaired my vehicle, which consisted of replacement of the rear struts, for $200 labor and $480 parts and $43.18 CT Sales tax - total $723.18. Vehicle was broken and Pop's Exhaust notified me that it would be dangerous to drive with a broken spring and vehicle needed repair. - I learned of the recall on October 26, 2023 (WUT-05). I promptly mailed my receipt to Subaru, as stated in the Subauru Recall and Service Campaign Program letter. [XXX] - I followed up with a call to Subaru and opened a case [XXX] - Subaru refuses to repay me the for the recall as the state: "If non-Subaru parts were used, we would not issue any reimbursement." 1. The recall never states that Genuine Subaru parts must be used 2. The vehicle was broken and needed to be repaired and thus was brought to a CT licensed repair shop (R6579) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) The contact stated that the manufacturer has reimbursed them for everything and considers this complaint resolved.
- 12/08/2022· STEERING,POWER TRAIN
Aug. 12, 2022. Milage 124,028. Dealer (Serra Auto Park, in Akron, OH) had to replace faulty right front axelshaft. Parts and labor $812. Left axelshaft has already started making the same noises and we can expect it to be replaced soon as well. ARE WE THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS PROBLEM???
- 12/08/2018· AIR BAGS
SRS MESSAGE AND WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. MESSAGE SRS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER I EXPLAINED THE ISSUES SHOWED THEM THREE PICTURES OF THE WARNING AND INDICATORS WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS. WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG. NO ACTIVE CODES FOUND. UNABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT IN CASE THE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED SUBARU HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE WARING AND INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT, WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT AND WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE IDLING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVING OR PARKED IDLING AND THE WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON.
- 12/08/2016· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT LOW SPEED (UNDER 15 MPH) A HESITATION OCCURS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ACCELERATION POWER FOR AS LONG AS 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OCCURRING ONLY 8 TIMES IN THREE MONTHS. PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WHILE TURNING LEFT BEFORE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LATER RECURRENCES PRODUCED THE SAME PROBLEM DURING RIGHT TURNS ALSO. WE RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND PURCHASED A 2017 OF THE SAME MODEL HOPING THIS PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED.
- 12/07/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Concerned driver stopped me and said I had no brake lights , only the lights atop the hatch showed breaking. After returning home I checked all settings on light controls and none made lower break lights work when pedal depressed. This could cause someone not watching top of vehicle crash into my vehicle. If light on top malfunctions I will not have any brake lights. Running lights work fine but do nothing when breaking. At first though it had to do with setting on light controls. I think I’ve been told I had no tail lights only front running lights and had to turn control at dusk to have taillights of any kind.
- 12/07/2020· SERVICE BRAKESCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DEPRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY INJURIES OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER GRAYSON HYUNDAI ( 8729 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37923; (865) 693-4550) AND HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000.
- 12/06/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery had drained and was replaced by an independent mechanic. A few months later, the vehicle received an oil change by a dealer. After leaving the dealer, the vehicle failed to startup while in a parking lot. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the battery was defective, and the battery was replaced a second time. The old battery was taken back to the independent mechanic and tested. The contact was informed that there was nothing wrong with the battery. Several months later the battery failed. Upon investigation, the contact linked the battery failure to the STARLINK technology feature that came equipped with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the DCM (Digital Control Module) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 108,000.
- 12/06/2017· AIR BAGS
MY SUBARU HAS EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM SINCE JULY OF 2017. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN 2016, JOSEPH SUBARU IN FLORENCE, KY ON AUGUST 2, 2017. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A SWITCH MALFUNCTION UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. AFTER THREE WEEKS WITH NO RESPONSE, I CALLED JOSEPH SUBARU TO ASK ABOUT THE STATUS. HE ASSURED ME ME THAT THE PART HAD BEEN ORDERED ON AUGUST 2 AND THAT I COULD EXPECT THE PART TO BE AVAILABLE AFTER ONE MONTH. THE PART WAS NEVER MADE AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ON OCTOBER 2, 2017 TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT. I GOT NO RESPONSE. I CONTACTED SUBARU ELECTRONICALLY ON OCTOBER 23, 2017. I RECEIVED A CLAIM NUMBER SR #:1-27120984562. IT IS NOW DECEMBER 6, 2017 AND I HAVE RECEIVED NO REPAIR AND NO CLARIFICATION. NO ONE HAS MADE ANY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE FAULT. IT IS A HAZARD TO ME AND ANY RIDERS IN MY VEHICLE.
- 12/05/2017· AIR BAGS
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF TO SIGNAL IF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED OR NOT. DEALER DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR IS OVER $1000 BECAUSE IT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE SEAT. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF, HOWEVER THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON SUCH A NEW CAR SHOULD BE FULLY FUNCTIONING AND SUBARU SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH A PROBLEM AS THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT SINCE THEY MADE IT SO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE DUE TO THE INTEGRATION INTO THE SEAT, YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THAT ONE SENSOR.
- 12/02/2020· ENGINE
2016 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 PREMIUM WHILE DRIVING THERE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH WITH 80 MILES LEFT PER THE VEHICLE THE CAR 'STALLED' ACTING LIKE IT WENT TO NEUTRAL AND PROVIDED NO RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR BEING PUSHED. *BF CONSUMER STATED HAPPENED TWICE MORE WHILE DRIVING APPROX 70 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER, VEHICLE STARTED SHUTTING DOWN. CAR RESTARTED APPROX 30 MINUTES LATER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO ISSUES.*JB
- 12/01/2020· STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
HAVE LESS THEN 10,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT TODAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LOCKED AND THE ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON. IT'S PARKED IN A SEMI-HEATED GARAGE AT HOME.
- 11/30/2024· ENGINE
While driving my 2016 Subaru Forester about 70mph on [XXX] , the engine suddenly stalled and I was stranded on the freeway. The fuel tank was about 3/4 full and no warning light flashed in the dashboard prior to the incident. I tried to move my vehicle to the right lane but was unable because of the vehicle's loss of power. I almost collided by a speeding truck behind me. I shut off the engine, was unable to restart. After 3 minutes later, I was able to restart and everything worked again. I suspected the cause was due to a bad fuel pump, took the vehicle to my local Subaru dealer for inspection. The technician could not find anything malfunction or repeat my problem. I just learned there was a recent lawsuit settlement of bad fuel pumps on 2017-2020 Subaru Foresters that could cause engines to stall. It sounded similar to the problem that I had just experienced, except my Forester is a 2016 model not covered by the settlement. I believe the 2016 Forester fuel pump was manufactured by the same company as in the 2017-2020 models. It probably has the same defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- 11/30/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car’s battery/ electrical system seems to drain car battery excessively. Even with a new battery, car battery dies if car isn’t run at least every 2 or 3 days, meaning I can’t rely on car if I take a trip of any length and leave the car behind. There’s a risk of being stranded. Car is 6 years old, and already has had 4 batteries. Im concerned about being stranded
- 11/30/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN STARTED FOR ONE DAY. THE BATTERY WOULD NOT START THE CAR, I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. I WAITED APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR FOR SOMEONE TO COME THROUGH SUBARU ROAD SIDE ASSIST. THE BATTERY WAS RELATIVELY NEW, AS THE ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED 1/2019. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR, WHICH WERE FINE. THEY RECHARGED THE BATTERY. I PAID FOR THE BATTERY INSPECTION.
- 11/30/2016· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WE NOTICED A TINY CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD ONE DAY. WE DID NOT SEE OR HEAR IT HAPPEN AND IT WAS TOO SMALL TO REPAIR (NO BUBBLE TO FILL), SO WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE IT ALONE AND HOPE IT DIDN'T SPREAD. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE WEATHER CHANGED AND IT BECAME A 2FT LONG CRACK ACROSS THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER TOLD ME TODAY THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER IT ONLY IF THE CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE BOTTOM, NOT FROM A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM OF WEAK GLASS THAT EASILY CHIPS AND THEN CRACKS IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE GLASS HEATER, WHICH HEATS THE BOTTOM BUT NOT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE COMBINATION OF WEAK GLASS UNDER TENSION AND DIFFERENTIAL HEATING IS A DESIGN FLAW FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE.
- 11/29/2016· POWER TRAIN
WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE IS A 3 TO 4 SECOND LAG TIME IN THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN SHIFTING AND GETTING POWER TO THE WHEELS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU BACK OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE ON A BUSY STREET (AS WE DO). I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION (CVT) AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
- 11/28/2023· AIR BAGS
My horn stopped working. When I press the lock button three times the horn still sounds the problem is the clockspring on the steering wheel it is broken and this is a safety issue. It controls multiple things on the steering wheel including the Airbag. One evening on my way home a car was trying to enter my lane I tried to sound a warning and my horn didn't work, to avoid being hit I had to move over to on coming traffic lane which was thankfully empty. Subaru should be fixing the the issue. I have since found out the original part has been updated but that update has not been passed on to the consumer unless they need to replace the part. And the replacement cost is the consumers responsibility.
- 11/25/2020· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2ND OCCURRENCE NOW OF A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT 80MPH WITH NO WARNING (SEE NHTSA ID# 1131777). LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON A FEW MINUTES EARLIER...SAME AS LAST TIME. THANKFULLY HAD A SHOULDER TO COST ONTO AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT. TIRED TO TART A COUPLE TIMES, BUT WAS LIKE IT WAS FLOODED WITH FUEL. AFTER :45 MINUTES OF SITTING...IT RESET ITSELF AND STARTED AGAIN AND WE CONTINUED ON OUR JOURNEY. THIS TIME ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CLEAR.
- 11/24/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND IT'S ALREADY STALLED TWICE TIMES. BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR JUST STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECREASE SPEED. BOTH TIMES, I MY GAS METER SAID THAT I HAD OVER 50 MILES OF GAS LEFT IN MY CAR. ITS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, I HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD.
- 11/22/2022· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
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.
- 11/21/2021· STEERING
November 8/21, temperature 41 F. Started the car and started to move and steering wheel was stiff. Steering warning light came on. Shut off and started car two more times and steering went back to normal and warning light went off. A code of C2532 was stored. This issue was identified as a problem as far back as 2016, but no recall has been issued. The part has been updated, supposedly, as the original had what they called a frozen relay. It is an obvious safety issue that was identified long before warranty expired. I realize your organization is for American's but our vehicles are the same and unfortunately we do not have a player with the clout that yours brings to these issues. The salt in the wound for us was the close to $1000 Cdn. bill for the updated part to be replaced. Close to $800 for the part alone! Thank you people.
- 11/20/2018· AIR BAGS
THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT WILL OCCASIONALLY SET A WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, SAYING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT, BUT THEN YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE WARNING DISAPPEARS. THE 'CURE' IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY! THE FOLLOWING TEXT FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINT PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MY SITUATION: "SUBARU IS KNOWINGLY BUILDING ITS CARS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WHICH WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF THE AIR BAG WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED UNDER NORMAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS IN THE 2016 AND 2017 OWNERS MANUAL THAT IF THERE IS A CELL PHONE OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR THEN THE AIR BAG SENSORS COULD MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO STATES THAT IF YOUR PASSENGER IS WEARING A JACKET OR SWEATER THIS COULD CAUSE THE SENSORS TO TURN THE LIFE SAVING AIR BAG OFF."
- 11/19/2024· SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS
When the car accelerates to around 70 mph, the right front side starts to shake and vibrate, giving the impression of driving on a bumpy road. The issue becomes noticeably worse when changing lanes to the right. Both wheel alignment and tire balancing have been checked and found to be fine. After researching online, many Subaru owners have reported similar issues caused by problems with the lower control arm or wheel bearing, leading to shaking at high speeds. However, when contacting Subaru of America about this, they declined responsibility, citing an expired warranty.
- 11/18/2016· POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE. I STARTED THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE, PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE, RELEASE THE BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS RATHER QUICKLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, RELEASED IT AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING FORWARDS. THE CAR WAS DEFINITELY IN DRIVE, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BACKWARDS.
- 11/16/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery drains quickly compared to my husband's car. I had to get a new battery every other year. Subaru has known issues with the CAN system and it hasn't been addressed. This is dangerous as my car wouldn't start. I didn't feel safe. Other people have posted similar situtations online and those have to be corrected. I would rather not waste money on a battery every other year. My safety is more important of course. The electrical systems need to have a recall put in so this can be fixed without money coming out of my pocket as this is a wide-spread issue for subaru.
- 11/14/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
WEAK OR THIN WINDSHIELD THAT CHIPS/CRACKS EASILY CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT/RAIN/SNOW ETC.
- 11/14/2018· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. PERIODICALLY, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS AND WERE INADEQUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- 11/11/2018· AIR BAGS
PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM TO TURN ON AIRBAG HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING. WILL TURN OFF PASSENGER AIR BAG WITH AN ADULT PRESENT IN THE SEAT, OR NOT TURN IT ON INITIALLY. NOW IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF AT SOME POINT IN A DRIVING EXPERIENCE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT WERE MADE BUT REQUIRED TOO LONG AND NO LOANER WAS AVAILABLE. AFTER GETTING A SECOND CAR, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED BE TESTED OCTOBER 2, 2018 AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND WHEN THE PART MAY COME IN AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS, NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE SYSTEM ACKNOWLEDGES THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER BECAUSE IT GIVES A WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT IT NEEDS SERVICE BUT IT LEAVES AIRBAG OFF ANYWAY. I BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG WAITING FOR PARTS FOR A SAFETY SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND ON SUBARU OWNER'S FORUMS.
- 11/09/2024· AIR BAGS,SEATS
Airbags and passenger seatbelt lights are on. Possibly Recalls