2016 Subaru Forester electrical problems
94 of the 414 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Forester name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 193 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 94 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 12 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 4
Half of the 37 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
414 complaints in all about the 2016 Subaru Forester, 4 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Subaru Forester electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
We've had the car from new lease the battery has died at least 4 times. After the 2nd time, we took it to the dealer to be checked. They said battery and charger were fine. It is not fine if the battery can't hold enough power to start car after leaving key on ACC for 15 minutes with no lights, no radio, nothing knowingly drawing power.
My vehicle alarm system came on unexpectedly toward the end of a day-long drive, with the engine light, hill assist, eyesight, and other dash warning lights all illuminated. The problem disabled the eyesight system, which is a safety issue in clear weather when a driver expects it to work.
Water is entering the interior of the car from underneath the dashboard near the glove compartment. The carpet is starting to smell of mildew. I AM afraid of the reaction with the electrical components and water. I notified my dealership and awaiting a response. Meanwhile, I taking my car to be serviced
I drove from nj to me (bought in 2017). I noticed difficulty when trying to accelerate/pass cars from the left lane. I thought nothing of it. After 5 hrs I got off the highway & made a right onto a main st when I heard a loud noise, felt it pull back & my wheels lock up. I thought I hit something or got a flat & was riding on my rims.
I've had this car for 1.5 years and it's already stalled twice times. Both times I was driving on the highway and without any warning my car just started to rapidly decrease speed. Both times, I my gas meter said that I had over 50 miles of gas left in my car.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications193 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 15-308-23R Service bulletinAug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 15-304-22R Service bulletinAug 13, 2026
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Article Locator OtherAug 5, 2026
- Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 15-333-25R Service bulletinAug 1, 2026
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
The 4 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
B1760 B2A16 P0300 B1761 B1771 B1795 P0327 P0328
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Subaru Forester names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Subaru Forester
Source: the same files- airbag problems 114 complaints
- engine problems 60 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 51 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 94 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (23% of everything owners filed about it), and 193 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 3 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 39,589 miles; half of them between 20,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.