2016 Subaru Forester: Electrical System complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Forester that list the electrical system component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11740447 (filed 05/27/2026): “Problem: recall for passenger side airbag malfunction in heated seats for my model year. manufacturer has said they addressed the recall but they have not. my car and thousands of others are unsafe for passengers to ride in because the airbag system does not work. warning light is the airbag symbol …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11734206 (filed 04/28/2026): “Passenger occupant detection system is malfunctioning. it is not registering a passenger in the seat, and in turn not turning the passenger airbag on when the seat is occupied. this puts any passnger who sit in this seat at risk of the airbag not deploying. this issue has been confirmed by the d…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11726168 (filed 03/22/2026): “I had my foot on the brake, opened the garage door with my garage door opener, and before i took my foot off the brake the car surged, jumped, and smashed into the brick wall next to the garage. i did not put my foot on the gas.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .