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2016 Subaru Forester recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester, filed between March 21, 2016 and October 3, 2019. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
| Campaign | Filed | Part |
|---|---|---|
| 19V701000 | October 3, 2019 | Air bags: occupant classification |
| 19V149000 | February 28, 2019 | Exterior lighting: switch |
| 16V162000 | March 21, 2016 | Engine and engine cooling: turbo/supercharger |
Air bags: occupant classification (19V701000)
Filed October 3, 2019
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. 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.
The fix. 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.
Exterior lighting: switch (19V149000)
Filed February 28, 2019
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix. 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.
Engine and engine cooling: turbo/supercharger (16V162000)
Filed March 21, 2016
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
Check that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2016 Subaru Forester may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized Subaru dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Subaru may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Subaru customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the Forester
- 2025 (3)
- 2024 (2)
- 2023 (1)
- 2022 (1)
- 2019 (3)
- 2018 (3)
- 2017 (1)
- 2015 (3)
- 2014 (2)
- 2013 (12)
- 2012 (15)
- 2011 (16)
- 2010 (17)
- All years
More: all Subaru recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2016 Subaru Forester recall questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Subaru Forester. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2016 Subaru Forester free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Subaru dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2016 Subaru Forester was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.