2016 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Forester report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 145,500 miles.
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints for the 2016 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766126 (filed 09/22/2026): “The contact owned a 2016 subaru forester. the contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a fire hydrant. while the foot was still on the brake pedal, the vehicle conti…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11764042 (filed 09/14/2026): “We purchased a used car for my [xxx] daughter on august 4th. of this year. on her trip to [xxx] on xxx., appoximently 5pm, the drivers side rear wheel fell off, causing damage to the wheel, lugs, shocks, caliper and tire. she was able to pull over into a parki…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: rebuilt transmission (1 reports) told to replace the transmission because the code read (1 reports) transmission replacement (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $5,000 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Transmission went out · 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2019 Nissan Pathfinder: Check engine light came on transmission failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
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