2016 Subaru Forester acceleration problems

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA · crash

Vehicle self-accelerated abruptly while parked and crashed into another vehicle causing damage to both vehicles

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Acceleration, Suspension · CA

When the car accelerates to around 70 mph, the right front side starts to shake and vibrate, giving the impression of driving on a bumpy road. The issue becomes noticeably worse when changing lanes to the right. Both wheel alignment and tire balancing have been checked and found to be fine. After researching online, many Subaru owners have reported similar issues caused by problems with the lower control arm or wheel bearing, leading to shaking at high speeds. However, when contacting Subaru of America about this, they declined responsibility, citing an expired warranty.

Filed Sep 2, 2024 · Acceleration · OR

Acceleration issues, this is the 3rd time it has happened since we've owned our forester in 2018. Yesterday morning my wife was pulling out of our driveway and while she put it in reverse and started to release the brakes to naturally roll back, it hard accelerated and shot us out into the road until she fully pressed the brakes in. I was already aware of this issue, so I looked over as this was happening and saw her foot was on the brake pedal the entire time. The car was fully warmed up, on an inclined driveway nose pointed in, the acceleration has also happened going forward and on a flat surface as well in a parking spot just after putting in in reverse. My wife is the main driver of the car, and before it happens, she can normally catch the problem because the rpms are higher than normal before shifting into gears and she will wait a minute until the rpms have settled back down. I believe in 2020 we had the shifting looked at and they stated the time it takes to go into each gear was a little bit longer than normal but found no issues. Big safety issue due to others and us for not having control of it when that happens.

Filed May 4, 2024 · Acceleration · OH

I bought a new 2016 Subaru Forester in March of 2016 from Subaru of Dayton. I have been hearing reports of unexpected acceleration. I have had two cases of this problem. Both times I was turning right. The first time I was pulling into a parking spot in a shopping center. As I turned right the car surged and I almost hit a light pole. Luckily when I jammed on the brakes, it stopped in time. The second time I was slowly pulling out of a parking lot. As I turned right the car lurched and quickly caused the car to hit the curb very hard. This was 8/5/2021and I took my car to Dayton Tire Sales to see if there was any damage that needed to be fixed. They just checked the tire and said that there was no major damage to the tire. I have a copy of the invoice (could not attach) from that incident but never went to the dealer thinking it was just some fluke. Now I am concerned and feel that Subaru needs to address this problem before more people get hurt. Now that I have heard these other complaints I am very concerned about this problem. Has Subaru looked into this problem? Is there something that I should be doing? Is there a fix? Is it safe to drive my Forester?

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

This 2016 Subaru Forester PCV Valve does not regulate the combustion system properly, this allows oil to enter this chamber. It causes loss of power and acceleration when driving. Hazardous driving conditions can cause accidents. crankcase ventilation issues engine oil system issues

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Acceleration · NJ

My wife was pulling into a parking space and braking. All of the sudden, the car accelerated. Fortunately, she was able to brake enough to stop it. We have a dashcam and you can see it a bit in this video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10CzPCDWEwxmfKK4siRRTRez3YUxusMFR/view?usp=sharing

Filed May 24, 2023 · Acceleration · NJ · crash · 2 injuries

While stopped at a “STOP” sign, the Subaru Forester unintentionally accelerated into a tree although the brake pedals were repeatedly utilized; it was totaled.

Filed May 22, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · WI

parked in angle space and turned off car. went into store for about 15 minutes. got in car and started it. heard a noise sounding like a car revving engine and looked behind me to see if it was another vehicle. realized it was my car. tried to push foot on accelerator but it was all the way to floor and would not come up. immediately put foot on brake and turned off car. looked at floor mat and found that was not the issue. waited about 30 seconds and turned car back on and found that the accelerator was not all the way to the floor like before. It ran like it always has. drove 10 minutes back home with no issue. when home, went in house for 15 minutes; came back out and started it and ran like normal. i then searched the issue and discovered SEVERAL complaints about this issue. Thankful that I didn't run into a building as anyone else (there was a man walking into a house DIRECTLY in front of where I was parked.....I would have hit him if i had put the car in drive.) No warning lights or anything else visible on car. no issue prior. not been inspected by anyone else or the dealer at this time. Not reported to police department or insurance company. I am NOT an elderly person and I KNOW I did not accidentally do anything wrong when this issue occurred. purchased this subaru in 2018 as they are highly rated as far as safety goes and very dependable. I am extremely disappointed that there has NOT been a recall on this issue. Do people have to die before subaru will issue recall?!?! I was planning to trade in for a newer Subaru but am definitely hesitant to do so at this time. I drive with my young grandchildren in vehicle and am even hesitant to do that in the future. PLEASE, Subaru, issue a recall for this issue.

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Body · WA · crash

Car unexpectedly accelerated when turning into a parking space. Gradually braking going in to the space and then car suddenly accelerated across the curb and hit a building. Car can be available for inspection. No one was hurt but only because of being lucky that no one was on the sidewalk by the building. Emergency services were called and police made a report and all is reported to the insurance company. There has been no inspection yet by manufacturer. Called Subaru and they said to get the body work done first and then bring the car in for inspection. No warning sounds or lights noticed prior to the problem.

Filed Aug 20, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

I pulled into a parking space with a friend and as I turned the wheel to pull in and had the foot on the break, as soon as I let up on the brake the car lurched forward. Luckily, I slammed back on the brake since my foot has just come off it. This was very scary as I came close to ramming into the car parked in front of me. There is no way that I hit the gas and made it lurch like it did. The car is only a 4 cyl. Now I am scared to drive it. There were no warning lights at all. I have not taken the car in to the dealer as I suspect they will say there is nothing wrong and charge me for diagnostics. I saw there were 200 complaints about this, mostly with 2017 models, but there should be a recall. I had another problem where the power steering quit working after parking the car in the garage overnight. Again, no recall and when I called Subaru they said they could run diagnostics but if nothing is found, I have to pay. Nice racket they have going.