What 405 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Forester

When parked on a slope, driver attempted to back SUV out of parking space. Before starting car, with key inserted, ignition on and foot on brake, driver attempted to remove gearshift from park. Car drifted backward rapidly and uncontrollably. The brakes completely failed even with foot on brake. The car was a hazard to anyone in its path and could not be stopped. The emergency brake was attempted but failed to stop the car. Power steering failed. Gearshift could not be put back into park. SUV crashed heavily into a sign protecting the gas pump, but auto suffered major damage: REAR WRAP AROUND BUMPER, ENTIRE POWER LIFT DOOR, AND FRAME, were included in the damage. Driver was the wife of a couple. Very importantly, the husband had experienced the exact same uncontrollable roll-back in the same vehicle at the same place a few weeks earlier, but somehow missed the gas pump and sign. At that time, the car was uncontrollable and caused panic for both drivers in separate incidents. THAT'S NOT ALL--of key importance was a conversation we--as a couple--had with the salesman and the dealership's lead mechanic when the auto was purchased in 2017. We pointed out that when backing out of a space on a slight downslope and changing gears, the car drifted backwards uncontrollably a number of feet--at least three to six feet. At that time in 2027, we told them we did not like this feature, and it could be a danger to children playing in the driveway. They said that the manufacturers' engineering department knew about this. And were making improvements. Subsequently we investigated this engineering/design fault online, discussed it again with the dealership, then dropped the issue. THE BOTTOM LINE: THIS SEEMS TO US TO BE A GENUINE MANUFACTURING FAULT. WE BOTH EXPERIENCED THIS UNCONTROLLABLE DRIFT BACK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE THE CAR. IT IS FRIGHTENENING AND DANGEROUS TO BE IN A VEHICLE WEIGHING TONS WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO CONTROL IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 11618333

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

Pulled into parking space in shopping mall. The car accelerated over the curb and ran into a store front knocking out a wall. The car was still in Drive when it came to a stop. No one was hurt in the car, on the sidewalk or in the store. There is a class action law suit on this model of Subaru for uncontrolled/sudden acceleration while coming to a stop, but Subaru does not acknowledge any problem. This was the first indication of a sudden acceleration for this car. It just had its 30,000 inspection from the Subaru dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11480037

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT SPOT AT IDLE SPEED, I LIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD COLLIDING WITH THE VEH PARKED TO MY LEFT. MY VEH JUMPED THE CURB WITH THE FRONT END COMING TO REST ON THE SIDEWALK. I HAVE HAD CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THIS SUDDEN SURGING ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE TO ENTER MY GARAGE OR STARTING FROM A STOP. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTON OF SUBARU & TOOK IT TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSIS ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM & FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN IT'S OPERATION. APPARENTLY I AM NOT ALONE IN MY COMPLAINT AS I HAVE READ IN THE DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE OF MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE THAT THEY TOO MENTION THE "JUMPY THROTTLE RESPONSE". I HAVE ALSO READ OF SIMILAR RAPID ACCELERATION COMPLAINTS IN YOUR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS SECTION WHICH PARALLEL MINE. I HAVE TOLD SUBARU THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS COLLISION & THAT I FEAR THAT COULD HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH THIS COLLISION & RESULTIG DAMAGE WAS MINOR, I AM THANKFUL THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK THAT COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEH NOW & DON'T KNOW WHAT MY NEXT STEP WILL BE. W.A LOVOLD MANHATTAN BEACH, CA

NHTSA ODI 11113183

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT ONLY WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAD NEVER BEFORE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,800.

NHTSA ODI 10909317