DecodedCars2016 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 2.0xt, 4dr SUV 2.5i
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 181.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,303–3,635 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2016 small SUV (23 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,635 lb (4dr SUV 2.0xt).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 31 highway), 17% better than the 2016 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 416 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Forester — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Forester →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ota, Gunma
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Forester configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 2.0xt | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 68.5 in | 103.9 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,635 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV 2.5i | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 68.5 in | 103.9 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,303 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | +17% | $2,500 | 332 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | +9% | $2,700 | 364 |
| Forester AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 25 | +9% | $3,300 | 359 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Subaru Forester.
Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Subaru Forester (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 28 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Oct 3, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · 366,282 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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 › Brake Lights › Switch · Feb 28, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
- 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 › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger · Mar 21, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V162000 · 18,187 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Not every 2016 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 99 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 90 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 60 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 39,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
| 2014 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 364 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →