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2016 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

32 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

32
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Fires
Feb 2021Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #16V162000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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.

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.

Owner Complaints (32)

criticalENGINE
Filed: Nov 2024

While driving my 2016 Subaru Forester about 70mph on [XXX] , the engine suddenly stalled and I was stranded on the freeway. The fuel tank was about 3/4 full and no warning light flashed in the dashboard prior to the incident. I tried to move my vehicle to the right lane but was unable because of the vehicle's loss of power.

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NHTSA #: 11628016
criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Aug 2023

The car caught on fire while in operation. A complete loss. It started in the engine

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NHTSA #: 11538170
criticalENGINE
Filed: Aug 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru forester. While driving various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the engine stalled, misfired, and hesitated without warning. The failure was persistent.

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NHTSA #: 10895441
highENGINE
Filed: Apr 2025

Subaru Forrester was misfiring and sputtering as if it was going to stop running. The car was shaking. Had car towed to Subaru dealer for Service.

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NHTSA #: 11656222
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2024

My car has required multiple jumps and batteries, since I bought it new. I have records of the services for jumps, and new batteries. The car continues to have a parasitic battery drain, that has caused me to be stranded multiple times.

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NHTSA #: 11632753
highENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2024

As I said earlier: car stopped dead in the middle of I-94, going 70 MPH. No reason--had 1/4 tank of gasoline, alternator working, etc. Come to find out that you all recalled 2018 Subaru Foresters for this EXACT same problem--cars stalling while driving.

NHTSA #: 11613547
highENGINE
Filed: Sep 2024

[XXX] driving on [XXX] at 70 MPH car stopped running. Engine died. Pulled over.

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NHTSA #: 11612794
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2020

Vehicle stalled in intersection. Car has a rough idle, this is the second time it has stalled. Dealership has looked at the car but not resolved the issue.

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NHTSA #: 11383395
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2020

2016 subaru forester 2.5 premium while driving there on the highway at approximately 70mph with 80 miles left per the vehicle the car 'stalled' acting like it went to neutral and provided no response to the accelerator being pushed. *bf consumer stated happened twice more while driving approx 70 MPH and had to pull over, vehicle started shutting down. Car restarted approx 30 minutes later.

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NHTSA #: 11377671
highENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2020

My 2016 subaru forester has twice experienced a sudden engine stall while cruising at approx. 70 MPH when the fuel was low. In both cases the low fuel warning light was not on and the vehicle showed fuel in the tank with fuel range of 70-100 miles.

NHTSA #: 11362843
highENGINE
Filed: Mar 2020

Running in my 2016 subaru forester at 70 MPH on crowded interstate highway in texas and all power was lost. No warning, no warning lights, nothing...just lost all power and shot off while driving. Car rolled to a stop and then I had it towed.

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NHTSA #: 11317777
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2019

Vehicle feels as though it is about to stall. This occurs sporadically when stopping or when under acceleration on the freeway. I have taken the vehicle into two separate dealerships, neither could diagnose a problem.

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NHTSA #: 11288945
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2018

Today marks the third time we are taking this vehicle to the dealer because the engine stalls while driving when accelerating.

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NHTSA #: 11163793
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2018

2 separate incidents of complete engine power loss while on highway at cruising speeds. Both in incidents occurred with low fuel about 1/8th tank (2-3 gallons) verified based on amount refilled to full. Fuel gauge was reading 2 bars (1/8) and low fuel light on but showing 70 miles of fuel remaining.

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NHTSA #: 11161972
highENGINE
Filed: Nov 2018

I have an issue where the engine will flutter in idle and will almost skip as if it's not getting any gas. The flutter causes the car to shake, it has even caused the car to stall. When it stalled I had started the car, put it in drive, tapped the gas and the engine cut out and shut off.

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NHTSA #: 11150304
highENGINE
Filed: Apr 2016

My sister and I bought this car on mar. On april 6, 2016 the car stalled on her twice. She was coming out of a store parking lot, and crossed the intersection turning left and the car stalled in the middle of the road in the intersection on the broken yellow lines.

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NHTSA #: 10854551
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2024

The cam carrier seal was leaking oil into the car and potentially causing damage to the engine. It was a $3,806.20 repair cost.

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NHTSA #: 11606277
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2024

Continuous leaking of oil even after Subaru tested and verified it's "normal."

NHTSA #: 11572175
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2023

My 2016 Subaru Forester is having acceleration and possibly fuel propulsion issues. It stays in low gear, high RPM when accelerating. This happened after a Yellowstone week long road trip from San Leandro, CA.

NHTSA #: 11540145
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2023

Engine oil and coolant were mixing. This caused coolant to drain and engine overheat. Resulted in several blown gaskets.

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NHTSA #: 11522869
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There were unknown warning lights illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11475078
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2020

2nd occurrence now of a sudden and complete loss of power while on highway at 80mph with no warning (see NHTSA id# 1131777). Low fuel warning light had just come on a few minutes earlier...same as last time. Thankfully had a shoulder to cost onto and let the vehicle sit.

NHTSA #: 11376325
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2018

I have had very similar issues to the gentleman whose NHTSA # is 11161972. On three occasions when I was driving on the highway at approximately 70 miles an hour and usually going up and incline, my engine would sputter and the car would die. All three times my car screen showed that I had between 60 and 80 miles left in my tank and my fuel gauge which show two clicks to the right of empty.

NHTSA #: 11162980
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2018

I was driving down a highway going up a bridge over the mississippi river at about 65mph when a bunch of lights came on and my engine completely stopped. I could not accelerate at all and I had to switch from the left-hand lane to the right -hand lane to get onto the shoulder. This was an extremely unsafe condition.my car speed and went to 65 MPH to about 0 MPH in the matter of a minute.

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NHTSA #: 11121770
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2018

With the car completely warmed up, either a hot day or a cold day, doesn't matter, the car will not accelerate for a couple seconds when entering traffic after having parked for a few minutes. In other words, after making a stop somewhere and shutting the engine off, and then starting it up again and traveling a block or so, suddenly the car will not accelerate.

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NHTSA #: 11081286
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru forester. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward. The contact stated that the engine accelerated violently.

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NHTSA #: 10958000
lowENGINE
Filed: Aug 2024

My car accelerated on its own while I was driving slowly through a parking lot and had to slam on the brakes.

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NHTSA #: 11607588
lowENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2023

Subaru Forester 2016. Sitting at red light with foot on brake. Car lunged forward.

NHTSA #: 11527027
lowENGINE
Filed: Jun 2021

Context: We were driving on the freeway at ~30-40mph when the car in front suddenly braked and stopped. We hit the breaks at the same time that the automatic brakes kicked in. The car stopped, as needed.

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NHTSA #: 11422867
lowENGINE
Filed: Feb 2021

Forester accelerates too fast on going from stop to moving to normal speed. The cars does not accelerate smoothly. Too much power on a light touch to soft acieration.

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NHTSA #: 11396067
lowENGINE
Filed: May 2018

Car accelerates quickly and lurches forward when slightly touching the gas pedal. This happens at all times from start of car and during general driving conditions.

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NHTSA #: 11091632
lowENGINE
Filed: Sep 2016

Car has 15000 miles-uses one quart of oil every 2000 miles-this much oil consumption indicates a serious problem. Car was purchased on 03/05/2016.

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NHTSA #: 10910596

Other 2016 Subaru Forester Issues