What 405 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Forester

The Horn stopped working in the vehicle. This is a known issue with many Subarus. The horn is essential for safety reasons due to this the vehicle cannot pass a safety inspection. The culprit of this issue is the electrical coil spring component in the steering wheel behind the air bag. The component has multiple connections going to it including an airbag connection. In the event of accident it is not guaranteed that the spring coil component would deliver the signal for the air bag to deploy. This component is defective in many Subarus and is a very costly repair due to all the electrical and safety components connected to cloak spring. This component has been an issue in previous Subaru models but has not been extended to newer models that clearly have the same issue. please see document attached.

NHTSA ODI 11532772

The Driver Seat Lumbar suddenly broke while driving, which caused a sudden unplanned shit of my driving position. There was also a loud hardware breaking or snapping apart, which caused a certain degree of panic and distraction while driving. I fixed the broken lumbar seat approximately less than two years ago and now the incident I mentioned previously, has happened again. I paid for the first repairs through an extended warranty I bought, I explained this to Subaru Corporate Customer Service, and they refuse to take responsibility for the inferior nature of the Lumbar System and thus refuse to cover the cost of fixing it.

NHTSA ODI 11531951

With car engine running and adult sitting in passemger seat, the passenger airbag on-off orange warning light will flicker between "on" and "off".

NHTSA ODI 11530750

Battery drain due to CAN system. Has caused loss of power to functions of car resulting in vehicle dynamic control and airbags to be turned of in the middle of driving causing the ABS to become unusable in the case of an accident putting everyone in the car at risk of injury or death.

NHTSA ODI 11527373

Subaru Forester 2016. Sitting at red light with foot on brake. Car lunged forward. Was able to brake and stop it however it did continue to acceletate briefly.

NHTSA ODI 11527027

Occupant Detection Sensor Mat faulty. Intermittent ODS warning while passenger is seated. DTS B1760 and B1650. Seat has never experienced water damage, but shows staining due to age (7 years at this point). This is an obvious safety concern while driving with my loved ones.

NHTSA ODI 11526343

My wife was pulling into a parking space and braking. All of the sudden, the car accelerated. Fortunately, she was able to brake enough to stop it. We have a dashcam and you can see it a bit in this video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10CzPCDWEwxmfKK4siRRTRez3YUxusMFR/view?usp=sharing

NHTSA ODI 11526238

The SRS Airbag light is coming on and off due to a manufacturer defect.

NHTSA ODI 11525686

I took my vehicle in for one of the recalls to replace the sensor mat for the passenger airbags. About a year went by and a warning came on and said problem with the SRS System Airbag and to get the issue checked out. This happens when a passenger is in the front passenger seat and the airbag is turned off when this alert comes on. I brought it back to the dealership, only for them to say that it wasn’t the recall and the mat go wet. The mat has not gotten wet. However, the recall is for the same issue the sensor is having. The dealership said it would be $1300 to replace. I feel this is an issue that should have been resolved in the recall. Maybe if I didn’t take it in then I wouldn’t have this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11525711

Steering Rattle Sound / Steering Wheel Vibration This is a potential safety issue especially when driving free way at 60 or 65K mph. I would like to request if the lower control arm bushing can be part of a recall for subaru forester. Please see attached service bulletin.

NHTSA ODI 11524409

While stopped at a “STOP” sign, the Subaru Forester unintentionally accelerated into a tree although the brake pedals were repeatedly utilized; it was totaled.

NHTSA ODI 11523588

I purchased on March 18, 2023 at HGREG West Palm Beach dealership. The salesperson did not disclosure the previous car incident information, I found it later that car has 2 car incidents. After purchasing a car on April 30, after I parked my car, its started unprovoked alarms. I have no control over my car for about 15 min. I knew that my car has an anti theft device so I contacted MagniShield and Road Vantage- the companies affiliated with HGreg Dealership where I purchased my car. I spoke with the MagniShiled representative- Edter but they refuse to explain what is the service installed in this car and refuse to cancel this service by my request. During this time, I have been contacting Dealership almost every week trying to get any clear explanation but they refused to give me any information or cancel the warranty contract. The fact that the car had several severe safety issues. On April 3, 2023 I was driving my kids from school and my car started to burn on the road. Heavy smog and explosions started coming from under the hood - inside the car. I had to do an emergency stop on the side of the road, quickly grab my two boys and run away from the car. I called 911. The police came and they called the fire station. Police officer made a police report, I have a case number. Same day my car was taken to the Midas. Midas specialist explained to me that this car was under the risk of fire to drive and can start burning at any time. The air conditioner exploded because it was under very high pressure. The mechanic found another safety issue - suspension was not attached properly and it was very loose. It might have caused a loss of control over the car, while driving, ultimately resulting in a severe accident Also, less than a week before, on March 28, 2023 I had to do another major service at Midas for the same car. This was just 10 days after the purchase. I changed oil, all filters and did wheel alignment, because they were heavily misaligned.

NHTSA ODI 11523704

parked in angle space and turned off car. went into store for about 15 minutes. got in car and started it. heard a noise sounding like a car revving engine and looked behind me to see if it was another vehicle. realized it was my car. tried to push foot on accelerator but it was all the way to floor and would not come up. immediately put foot on brake and turned off car. looked at floor mat and found that was not the issue. waited about 30 seconds and turned car back on and found that the accelerator was not all the way to the floor like before. It ran like it always has. drove 10 minutes back home with no issue. when home, went in house for 15 minutes; came back out and started it and ran like normal. i then searched the issue and discovered SEVERAL complaints about this issue. Thankful that I didn't run into a building as anyone else (there was a man walking into a house DIRECTLY in front of where I was parked.....I would have hit him if i had put the car in drive.) No warning lights or anything else visible on car. no issue prior. not been inspected by anyone else or the dealer at this time. Not reported to police department or insurance company. I am NOT an elderly person and I KNOW I did not accidentally do anything wrong when this issue occurred. purchased this subaru in 2018 as they are highly rated as far as safety goes and very dependable. I am extremely disappointed that there has NOT been a recall on this issue. Do people have to die before subaru will issue recall?!?! I was planning to trade in for a newer Subaru but am definitely hesitant to do so at this time. I drive with my young grandchildren in vehicle and am even hesitant to do that in the future. PLEASE, Subaru, issue a recall for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11523230

Engine oil and coolant were mixing. This caused coolant to drain and engine overheat. Resulted in several blown gaskets. Yes, available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk because of engine overheat while driving on highway. Problem has been evaluated by a car repair shop. Vehicle has been inspected by car repair shop, but not by manufacturer, police, or insurance. Red engine overheat warning light turned on only as the overheat occurred; no yellow check engine light turned on prior to overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11522869

The vehicle fails to maintain stability at either a right turn, and at left turn angles. The vehicle makes a clicking sound on either turn and loses power when you complete the turn and attempt to drive straight. This poses an incredibly unsafe driving experience.When this occurs the traction message light turn on, as well as the passenger airbag, and the upwhill light turns on.

NHTSA ODI 11522270

The horn does not work due to failure of the clock spring. This is a common problem among many Subaru vehicles. Without the use of a horn warning noises cannot be made to alert other drivers of potential hazards. There are numerous video and forums detailing this issues on multiple Subaru models.

NHTSA ODI 11520351

Car unexpectedly accelerated when turning into a parking space. Gradually braking going in to the space and then car suddenly accelerated across the curb and hit a building. Car can be available for inspection. No one was hurt but only because of being lucky that no one was on the sidewalk by the building. Emergency services were called and police made a report and all is reported to the insurance company. There has been no inspection yet by manufacturer. Called Subaru and they said to get the body work done first and then bring the car in for inspection. No warning sounds or lights noticed prior to the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11514085

Electrical system drains battery. Had battery replaced at dealer under lawsuit settlement guidelines.

NHTSA ODI 11512286

There was a recall for an airbag problem which would cause the front passenger airbag to not deploy because it did not sense there was a person in the passenger seat. The problem supposedly was repaired in 2021. Recently, the airbag light came on again and I brought it in to the Subaru dealer, who diagnosed an improper sensor under the passenger seat. They said that the airbag could not be fixed presently as a necessary part was on back order. They have no estimate for when it can be completed. Until the repair can be made, the front passenger has no airbag protection at all! When completed, the repair will cost me over $1300. Subaru of America has told me that I have to pay for this because the airbag system, supposedly fixed on the 2021 recall, is not on warranty. This is a hardship for us, retired senior citizens relying on Social Security. Even worse, until the part becomes available, the airbag system cannot be repaired! Subaru actually told me that no one should sit in the front passenger seat until this back ordered part becomes available at some unknown time in the future! It just is not possible in our family situation to have no one sit in the front passenger seat, as we frequently take our daughter and her two small children on outings and doctor visits. The man who told me this is named Grant and can be reached at 1-800-subaru3 with the case number 230314-1300095. Incidentally, I earlier spoke with "Sam" at that phone number and extension 119839, who told me that there is no expiration on this airbag recall and that he would recommend that I be given a loaner car until Subaru can finally fix the problem and make the car safe again. Apparently, Grant overruled Sam and Subaru is now taking a much more dangerous position.

NHTSA ODI 11511900

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on four separate occasions to rotate the tires; and each time the contact was notified that one lug bolt on each wheel had fractured. The contact was notified that excessive force was needed to remove the bolts and that the mechanic was not responsible for any damages caused while removing each wheel. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were unaware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509834

When accelerator is slightly pushed after the vehicle has come to stop it accelerates in a jack rabbit manner. The driver stopped at beginning of driveway parking area, and decided to move slightly forward. A slight push on accelerator pedal caused vehicle to lurch forward and do $8,700 damage to the closed 2 car garage door, and $1,000+ to vehicle. Date of accident 02/10/2023

NHTSA ODI 11506839

The vehicle constantly shows a warning that passenger seat air bag is OFF while I am sitting in the car riding in that passenger seat. The issue was brought to manufacturer attention multiple times. Videos and pictures of the issue have been recorded for years. The manufacturer refuses to fix the issue and continues to ignore it which places my life at risk every time I drive in that passenger seat of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11504631

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.

NHTSA ODI 11499092

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.

NHTSA ODI 11497340

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???

NHTSA ODI 11496547