Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Subaru Forester
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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$6,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Subaru Forester has an average reliability rating. Although the vehicle has some recalls, especially for airbags and brake light switches, these issues have not led to severe hazards. Complaints are notable but not alarming, often concerning the electrical system and air bags.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| occupant detection system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| turbocharger air intake | 40,000–75,000 miles | $250–$600 | occasional |
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$500 | occasional |
| brake light switch | 30,000–60,000 miles | $100–$200 | occasional |
| engine components | 70,000–100,000 miles | $350–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Engine air filter replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Cabin air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine stalling issues
- Unresponsive brake lights
- Heated seat malfunction
- Dashboard warning lights
- Turbocharger noise
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Subaru Forester at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.