SubaruForester2016Overview/subaru/forester/2016/base/

2016 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Forester.

Body SUV

The 2016 Subaru Forester is an SUV that has accumulated 405 owner complaints and three recalls, with air bags representing the top complaint area. Within the model’s 1998–2026 complaint history, that total falls well below the 831-complaint peak seen in 2019 while remaining far above the 12-complaint low recorded for 2026. That positioning places the 2016 model year near the midpoint of the documented range, indicating a moderate complaint profile rather than an extreme outlier.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3635 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Forester of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2016 2.0XT Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20162.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.30 sec15.00 sec250 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited 2.5L F-48.70 sec16.80 sec170 hpAWD
20172.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.80 sec15.50 sec250 hpAWD
20142.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.20 sec14.80 sec250 hpAWD
20142.0XT Premium 2.0L Turbo F-46.40 sec15.00 sec250 hpAWD
20142.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-47.50 sec15.80 sec170 hpAWD
20142.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-47.60 sec16.00 sec250 hpAWD
20142.5i Touring PZEV 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec170 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidTurbo: Subaru High Torque CVTF
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity9.4 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 ft/lbs.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugMetal
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)575-775 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru ( non turbo)
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
Engine CompressionTURBO / psi 196-254 / variance 14 psi
Engine CompressionTURBO psi 142-171 variance 7 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 Use
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 Use; Front: 59; Rear: 48.7
ABS Sensor Torque6.0-7.0 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: Solid Disc .330
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 16
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.730

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs. Step 2: 70.1 ft. lbs. Step 3: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 4: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 5: 7.4 ft. lbs. Step 6: 22 degrees. Step 7: 51.6 ft. lbs. Step 8: 80-90 degrees. Step 9: 40-45 degrees. Step 10: 40-45 degrees; do not exceed 90 degrees. Apply sufficient engine oil to bolt threads and washer.29 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Subaru Forester sits within the fourth generation (2014–2018), a period marked by a sharp rise in complaints compared to earlier models. Complaints peaked in 2015 (613) before dipping slightly in 2016 (405), though they remained elevated relative to pre-2014 levels, while recalls held steady at three—consistent with 2015 but higher than the single recall in 2017. The 2016 model year also saw the first federal investigation of the generation, signaling heightened scrutiny, though the data doesn’t specify the root cause. Top complaint areas—air bags (60) and electrical systems (53)—align with broader trends during this generation, suggesting persistent but not escalating issues. Crash-related complaints (39) and fire reports (3) are present but not outliers for the segment. Given the 2016’s position as a mid-cycle refinement with lower complaints than its immediate predecessor and no new recall spikes, it emerges as a relatively stable choice within an otherwise volatile generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
445
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
405
Owner complaints
39 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 405 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags60
Electrical System53
Unknown Or Other35
Power Train25
Engine25
Visibility/Wiper18
Air Bags,Seats13
Service Brakes10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

19V701000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 03/10/2019

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 445 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forester. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.