2016 Subaru Forester Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2016 Subaru Forester, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 44,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “stuck ignition” (12% of reports).
- 51power train complaints
- 44,500median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 47%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Stuck ignition: mentioned in 6 of 51 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 36 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 51 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Subaru Forester power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 Forester | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Forester | 5 | 7% | 11,426 |
| 2022 Forester | 4 | 4% | 51,000 |
| 2021 Forester | 15 | 7% | 11,250 |
| 2020 Forester | 32 | 5% | 500 |
| 2019 Forester | 38 | 5% | 14,000 |
| 2018 Forester | 23 | 5% | 4,000 |
| 2017 Forester | 46 | 8% | 33,400 |
| 2016 Forester | 51 | 12% | 44,500 |
| 2015 Forester | 95 | 15% | 51,100 |
| 2014 Forester | 41 | 10% | 64,611 |
| 2013 Forester | 6 | 8% | 49,500 |
| 2012 Forester | 5 | 5% | 62,000 |
| 2011 Forester | 8 | 5% | 60,000 |
| 2010 Forester | 7 | 3% | 70,500 |
| 2009 Forester | 17 | 10% | 52,500 |
| 2008 Forester | 2 | 4% | 130,821 |
| 2007 Forester | 11 | 15% | 37,500 |
| 2006 Forester | 4 | 5% | 52,090 |
| 2005 Forester | 5 | 5% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Forester | 12 | 5% | 93,500 |
| 2003 Forester | 9 | 5% | 8,000 |
| 2002 Forester | 16 | 18% | 29,650 |
| 2001 Forester | 23 | 17% | 46,000 |
| 2000 Forester | 21 | 28% | 74,000 |
| 1999 Forester | 32 | 24% | 72,000 |
| 1998 Forester | 23 | 23% | 75,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the 2016 Subaru Forester. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a fire hydrant. While the foot was still on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and struck a street…
We purchased a used car for my [XXX] daughter on August 4th. of this year. On her trip to [XXX] on XXX., appoximently 5pm, the drivers side rear wheel fell off, causing damage to the wheel, lugs, shocks, caliper and tire. She was able to pull over into a parking lot, where a stranger helped her out…
When I drove the car, All most all light on the dashboard are on onthe road, and when I stop and tried to go, the car is somewhat not controled. I immidieatly went to dealership and dignosed P2764 CVT balve problem. And they add wheel bearing is problem. Subaru noticed these problems but my 88,278…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Subaru Foresters have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints about power train for the 2016 Subaru Forester (12% of the 415 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Subaru Forester power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 44,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
The most frequent phrase is “stuck ignition”, in 6 of 51 complaints.
Other 2016 Subaru Forester problems
- Air Bags problems (99)
- Electrical System problems (93)
- Engine problems (60)
See all 2016 Subaru Forester problems or power train problems across all Forester years.