Due to incomplete repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles previously repaired under the WQK-47 (14V-311) brake line corrosion recall prior to the December 23, 2014 WQK-47 recall bulletin revision. The revisions to the bulletin are for part number changes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Forester suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Subaru Forester have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 91 |
| 2015 Forester | 64 |
| 2016 Forester (this page) | 10 |
| 2017 Forester | 8 |
| 2018 Forester | 11 |
| 2019 Forester | 6 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 10 suspension complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Rear coil spring breakage stands out as the dominant issue across this complaint cluster. Owners report springs failing and cracking at mileage ranging from 13,888 to 42,660 miles—well before expected wear. Springs snap while parked, visible on the ground, or discovered during routine inspections. Several failures affect both rear springs simultaneously, causing the vehicle to sag roughly three inches. One owner had both rear struts begin leaking just 11 days after the dealer replaced the coil springs at 37k miles, suggesting failed springs may have overstressed the struts.
Subaru issued recall WUT-05 for rear coil springs; however, one owner who paid $723 for independent repair (labor and aftermarket parts) was denied reimbursement because the recall work wasn't performed at a Subaru dealership using genuine parts—even though the recall letter did not specify this requirement.
Beyond spring failures, owners report loose suspension components found during inspection, severely misaligned wheels requiring correction within days of purchase, bent lower control arms causing vibration at highway speeds, and front-end shake that worsens during lane changes. One owner experienced instability during turns, clicking sounds, power loss, and multiple warning lights activating simultaneously. Another owner's vehicle showed turn-related stability loss with traction and airbag warning lights. A few owners noted that Subaru service departments declined to investigate or repair suspension-related safety concerns despite recognizing them during service visits.
Same Subaru Forester suspension reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Rear coil spring breakage
Springs breaking and cracking at low mileage (13,888 to 42,660 miles reported). Multiple owners report springs failing unprovoked while parked or during normal driving. Some failures occur in pairs (both rear springs). One owner had springs replaced by dealer at 37k miles, then both rear struts leaked 11 days later, suggesting the failed springs stressed the struts.
When: 13,888 to 42,660 miles; one recall (WUT-05) in 2023; dealer replacement at 37k miles followed by strut failure 11 days later
Symptoms owners cite: Broken or cracked coil springs visible on ground or during inspection; Loud banging noise from rear of vehicle; Vehicle sagging approximately three inches at rear; Oil spots on driveway at rear of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #2 paid $200 labor + $480 parts + $43.18 tax ($723.18 total) for rear strut replacement at Pops Exhaust; Owner #4 had both rear struts leaking 11 days after dealer coil spring replacement; owners #8 replaced both rear coil springs; owner #7 replaced left rear coil spring himself
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru recall WUT-05 issued for rear coil springs; Owner #2 submitted receipt for reimbursement but Subaru refused reimbursement citing use of non-Subaru parts by independent shop, despite recall letter not requiring Genuine Subaru parts
Loose or improperly attached suspension components
Suspension found not properly secured during inspection. One owner had suspension described as 'not attached properly and very loose' by mechanic at Midas; condition created risk of loss of vehicle control while driving.
When: Within 10 days of purchase (March 28, 2023 service noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Suspension components loose when inspected; Potential loss of vehicle control risk identified by mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment service performed at Midas; suspension was found loose and required attention
Lower control arm bend and defects
Passenger side lower control arm found bent during inspection; owner reports this caused severe vibration at freeway speeds. One owner also reports lower control arm problems online research indicates are common on Subaru models.
When: Discovered during service visit; owner #3 experienced vibration at highway speeds prior to discovery
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration from defective passenger lower control arm at freeway speeds; Right front side shaking and vibration at 70+ mph (reported in complaint #5)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #3 reported bent passenger lower control arm during Crown Subaru service; owner #5 suspects lower control arm issue based on online research but Subaru declined responsibility citing expired warranty
Wheel alignment issues
Wheel alignment severely misaligned on new purchase requiring correction within 10 days of buying the vehicle. One owner reports wheels 'heavily misaligned' requiring service at Midas.
When: Within 10 days of purchase (March 28, 2023)
Symptoms owners cite: Wheels heavily misaligned requiring correction
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment service performed at Midas on March 28, 2023
Front-end vibration and instability at highway speeds
Right front side shaking and vibration at 70+ mph, becoming worse when changing lanes to the right. Owner ruled out wheel alignment and tire balancing as causes. Owner reports online research indicates lower control arm or wheel bearing issues are common in Subaru models for this symptom.
When: During highway driving at 70+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Right front side shaking and vibration at 70+ mph; Vibration worse when changing lanes to the right; Feels like driving on bumpy road
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel alignment and tire balancing checked and found to be fine; no repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru declined responsibility, citing expired warranty
Instability on turns with loss of power and warning lights
Vehicle fails to maintain stability during right or left turns; makes clicking sound; loses power when completing turn and attempting to drive straight. Multiple warning indicators activate together—traction message light, passenger airbag light, and uphill light.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Instability during right and left turns; Clicking sound during turns; Loss of power after completing turn; Traction message light activates; Passenger airbag light activates; Uphill light activates
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When I went for my inspection sticker,it failed due to a broken right rear spring,then went I brought it to be repaired I found out the left side was also broken.
Had suspension 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 suspension 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 $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 34,137 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.