2016 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Subaru Forester: 3 recalls, 415 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #16V162000 · 2016 · 18,187 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #19V149000 · 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles
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…
Why it matters: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V701000 · 2019 · 366,282 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (99): the most common themes are warning light on (20), fails to deploy (10).
- Electrical (93): the most common themes are electrical failure (41), stalls / loses power (18), warning light on (12).
- Other / unknown (69): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6).
- Engine (60): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (26), warning light on (13).
The 2016 Subaru Forester has 415 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (1.9× the average Forester year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (80 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 39,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (615 complaints, 3 recalls), 2017 (588 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 27 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Subaru Forester.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 415 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (99), electrical (93), other / unknown (69).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.