2016 SUBARU FORESTER Complaints

In March 2020, I took my 2016 Subaru Forester to the dealership to fix the issues associated with the Subaru Safety Recall WUM-98 / NHTSA Recall 19V-701 (unstable electrical connections causing issues with the occupant detection system in determining the correct status of the right front seat occupant, which would prevent the front passenger-side airbag from deploying in the event of a crash). Service was performed and the ODS harness was replaced. In August of 2021, I took my Forester back into the Subaru dealership (where previous service was performed) because the “airbag warning” light and the “Passenger airbag off” indicator began to illuminate, however this occurred somewhat inconsistently. Sometimes both warning lights illuminate when someone sits in the front passenger seat, sometimes they do not illuminate at all and everything seems fine. Other times, the lights illuminate when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat. Additionally, sometimes the seatbelt alarm sounds when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat. However, this is also inconsistent. In August 2021, the Subaru dealership told me that the issue is likely caused by water damage (a spill) on the front passenger seat that has caused the sensors within the seat to malfunction. I told them that I did not recall spilling any liquids on the front passenger seat. Now the dealership is telling me to replace the passenger seat bottom assembly sensor for $1,211 USD.

When I stop the vehicle and put in park, I cannot not turn car off or pull out key. I put car back in drive and drive a few feet forward or back. After putting in park again, I can then turn car off and pull key out. It is now happening more frequently, like every time I drive it. Also sometimes have trouble turning the key to start the car. Have had problems periodically for several years. Now its getting to be a regular problem. Very dangerous when you cannot turn the car off. And it will probably get worse with snowy weather. A safety issue. I see there is a NHTSA Safety Bulletin #10155220 that lists this problem. It looks like an existing problem with Subarus. Not sure why there is no recall?

At least a couple of times a week, the key gets stuck in the ignition. I can turn the car off, but I can't remove the key. If I start the car back up and shift it into Drive, and then slam it back into Park, after several tries, I can remove the key. I searched the Subaru forum and found this is a long-existing issue for all Subaru models with the key ignition. All with the stuck key issue here is the TSB 16-112-18R info https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10153178-9999.pdf and the P/N for the select lever (shifter) mechanism 3511AL00C.

I was into hour 6 of a 7 hour drive. I had 2 bars left on the gas meter. I was on the highway driving about 70 MPH on a major interstate. Suddenly the car acted like it shifted into neutral (though I did not) and could not accelerate and all the lights on the dashboard lit up. Luckily I was in the left lane and could get to the side quickly, but the car essentially suddenly quit without any warning. If I were in the middle lane I fear I could have been in a terrible accident since I was decelerating quickly and have no idea if my brake lights or anything was working properly while this happened. No engine lights on the dash came on prior and the car was running just fine the entire trip up until that moment. After I pulled over I opened the hood and nothing seemed overtly wrong. I tried to start up car at least 3 times and when I did it acted like it was trying to do something and lights flashed on dashboard as it was trying to turn over, but I could not get it started again. Had it towed to a subaru dealership and they are telling me it started right up after sitting overnight there and they can't find anything wrong when they run diagnostics. I don't feel comfortable driving the vehicle again knowing this happened and could happen again without warning. It could have been in a terrible accident involving myself (and my kids) and other people on the highway.

Per Subaru's TSB 16-112-18R, it appears that my 2016 Subaru Forester XT is experiencing a failing Park-Range switch. Starting around July 26, 2021, I started having issues trying to take the key out while in Park. It started as intermittent but slowly has grown to where I having issues almost everyday now. Currently, there is not an official recall but there really should be given the number of folks I have read on internet forums having this occur from all makes, models, and years of Subaru vehicles. The unofficial workarounds present a safety hazard because the workaround disables the safety mechanism for the ignition key.

The ignition key has started getting stuck in the ignition after turning the motor off. It takes several tries, involving turning the motor back on and pulling the key out as I’m turning the motor off and pushing the stick back into PARK really hard per Subaru.... Subaru has acknowledged it’s a faulty part and lots of complaints online...they even did a tech bulletin # 16-112-18R but say its a customers problem....

While returning home from a trip in our 2016 Subaru Forester the driver’s side airbag warning light remained on; additionally, a SRS warning appeared briefly on the screen indicating that the airbag/seatbelt safety system could not be relied upon.This all occurred after restarting the Forester following a brief rest stop. Adhering to the Subaru owner’s manual guidance we went to our Hendricks Southpoint dealership. The dealership scheduled an appointment for one week later. The occurrence of this problem without a timely resolution by Subaru creates a unnecessary safety situation for owners.

The battery drains quickly if the engine is not running and the key remains in the ignition even for a short period of time. From what I can tell even if you shut off the car completely, you cannot leave the key in the ignition or something is still drawing power. You must physically remove the key from the ignition. The issue stranded my family on two separate occasions requiring a jump start. Once was late at night in a secluded area, the other in a parking lot. We have two other cars from different makes and have not had this issue. In one case the car was off in a parking lot with my wife waiting for 15 minutes. In the other my daughter was listening to the radio while parked for less than 10 minutes. This Forester has the stock radio with no after market mods. The Forester drives great and feels very safe in all other respects. We truly love the car. But I have to make sure that we do not park the car and leave the key in the ignition or the battery will die. I asked my mechanic to check the battery, but he said that the battery itself tested fine. Seems like this problem has been reported elsewhere. Thanks

Car turns itself off soon after starting when you try and put it into gear. Even after a tune up the car just stalls out when starting or low idle while sitting at light

Key stuck in switch when car is put into park. Steering locks up and then can not restart or remove key. This happens almost daily at this point