Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Subaru Forester
The 2016 Subaru Forester has moderate owner complaints and three recalls. Common issues relate to airbags, electrical systems, and engine concerns, indicating potential reliability risks. The vehicle's ongoing recall campaigns, especially for the airbags and engine turbocharger, require thorough inspection and confirmation of completed repairs.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 416 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V701000 Occupant Detection System May Deactivate Airbag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V149000 Brake Lights May Not Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V162000 Turbocharger Intake Duct Crack may cause Stall NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 100 complaints
- Electrical System 93 complaints
- Unknown or Other 69 complaints
- Engine 60 complaints
- Power Train 51 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 37 complaints
Of the 416 complaints on file, 40 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 416 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Occupant sensor failing
How to check: Inspect passenger seat sensor function with a passenger seated.
Brake light switch malfunction
How to check: Test brake lights, verify they illuminate when brakes applied.
Turbocharger air intake duct crack
How to check: Look for recalls and check turbo intake duct for cracks.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or vibrations.
Red flag: Persistent knocking or rough idle
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for any warning lights.
Red flag: Check engine light stays on
- 03
City driving
What to check: Ensure smooth gear shifts and no jerky motions.
Red flag: Transmission hesitates or slips
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Verify turbocharger functionality and engine response.
Red flag: Lack of power or stalling
- 05
Braking
What to check: Test brakes for quick response and no noises.
Red flag: Brakes feel soft or are noisy
- 06
Parking
What to check: Assess steering responsiveness and ease of maneuvering.
Red flag: Steering feels stiff or unresponsive
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have any recall repairs been completed?
- Has the turbo air intake duct been inspected?
- Any electrical issues or repairs recently?
- Are there any outstanding airbag recalls?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Maintenance records
- Recall repair confirmation
- Accident history report
- Title with current owner name
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Subaru Forester at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2016 Subaru Forester? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.