Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2016 Subaru Forester: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
115 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 19V701000.
94 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
60 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V162000.
51 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 19V149000.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 21, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 18,187 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 28, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 1,303,530 vehicles across all affected models.
Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on October 3, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 366,282 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 19V701000.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 19V701000.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 19V701000.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 19V701000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.