This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Forester brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Subaru Forester have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Forester | 9 |
| 2013 Forester | 7 |
| 2014 Forester | 9 |
| 2015 Forester | 14 |
| 2016 Forester (this page) | 10 |
| 2017 Forester | 4 |
| 2018 Forester | 7 |
| 2019 Forester | 13 |
| 2020 Forester | 3 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed above.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type sound from the rear of the vehicle later diagnosed as a faulty hub / bearing assembly. Unevenness of the backing plate surfaces may affect the concentricity (roundness) of the hub / bearing after torqued during assembly and over time, cause the howling -type sound to develop. Production changes for the backing plates have been implemented to optimize their mounting surface quality.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two main brake-system problems on 2016 Forester models. The first is sudden brake failure or loss of stopping power: pedal depresses but the vehicle doesn't slow or stop, sometimes requiring release of the pedal for the car to decelerate, or the pedal travels excessively toward the floorboard. These incidents occurred at low mileage (16,000 miles) and high mileage (110,000+), with one resulting in a rear-end collision and another in striking a fence. No warning lights appeared in most cases.
The second issue centers on ABS warning lights: the light illuminates while driving or after restart, sometimes accompanied by hard braking feel or reduced stopping effectiveness, then disappears after shutdown. One owner noted the ABS light came on while slowing for a red light, and the vehicle slowed to 2 mph; brakes worked normally after restart.
A third, separate complaint involves soft brakes requiring early application and offering inconsistent stopping power in traffic and turns. One owner reported the brake pedal going to the floor under maximum-load stopping.
Dealers have been unable to diagnose the failures in multiple cases. One owner mentioned recent brake light ignition switch replacement under recall (WUE-90) prior to experiencing ABS light and battery drain. Manufacturer response to reports has been minimal or absent.
Same Subaru Forester brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden brake failure / loss of stopping power
Brake pedal depression fails to slow or stop the vehicle, or pedal travels excessively toward floorboard. In one case, vehicle had to be rear-ended another; in another, vehicle struck a fence. No warning lights illuminated in most instances.
When: 16,000 miles to 110,858 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal depressed but vehicle does not slow or stop; Pedal requires release for vehicle to decelerate; Brake pedal travels to floorboard when depressed; Brake pedal travels to floorboard under maximum-load stopping
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported replacing all four brake rotors; dealer at Cochran Subaru Butler County could not service vehicle. Dealer at Grayson Hyundai unable to diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failure in one case but did not assist; no response or awareness reported in other cases.
ABS warning light activation with braking issues
ABS warning light illuminates during driving or after cold restart, sometimes accompanied by hard braking or reduced effectiveness. Light disappears after vehicle shutdown and restart. One incident involved light activation while approaching red light; vehicle slowed to 2 mph then worked normally after restart.
When: 73,000 miles and higher; one case 150 miles after recall service on brake light ignition switch
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates while driving or starting; ABS warning light disappears after vehicle shutdown; Hard braking feel when ABS light is on; Reduced braking effectiveness when ABS light is on; Light activates while parked, backing up, or accelerating from stop on incline
Codes mentioned: ABS system fault
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light ignition switch was replaced under recall (WUE-90) 150 miles before one ABS light incident; dead battery followed overnight.
Soft or inconsistent brakes
Brake pedal feels soft or unresponsive, requiring early application ahead of time to stop. Inconsistent stopping power, especially in slow traffic, turns, and city driving. Owner reports uncertainty whether vehicle will stop.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Soft brake pedal feel; Requires early brake application to stop at signal; Poor braking in slow traffic; Inconsistent stopping power in turns; Poor braking performance on city streets and highway exits
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 49,136 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.