Model year 2016 · Subaru

2016 Subaru Forester recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester. The most recent was reported on October 3, 2019. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: FORESTER.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
19V701000	October 3, 2019	Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification
19V149000	February 28, 2019	Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
16V162000	March 21, 2016	Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

Systems involved: Air Bags (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 19V701000Manufacturer no. WUM-98

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

Report received by NHTSA: October 3, 2019
Owner notification: February 11, 2020
Recall initiated by: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected: 366,282 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Subaru Forester: January 20, 2015 – August 1, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record: FORESTER

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Remedy

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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V701000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V149000Manufacturer no. WUE-90

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

Report received by NHTSA: February 28, 2019
Owner notification: April 15, 2019
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 1,303,530 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Subaru Forester: December 18, 2012 – April 28, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record: FORESTER

Defect summary

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 transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Safety risk

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V149000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V162000Manufacturer no. WTA-62

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

Report received by NHTSA: March 21, 2016
Owner notification: April 15, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 18,187 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Subaru Forester: June 1, 2015 – October 20, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: FORESTER

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V162000, filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: October 4, 2019.