Recall 16V162 covers 18,187 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx and Forester vehicles for a cracked turbocharger air intake duct. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 18,187 2015-2016 Wrx and Forester vehicles because the turbocharger air intake duct can crack and lead to an engine stall. A stall raises crash risk, and Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The turbocharger air intake duct on 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx and Forester vehicles carries air into the turbocharger before it reaches the engine. The turbocharger uses that airflow to help the engine make power. The duct needs to stay sealed so the engine gets the air amount its controls expect.
On the recalled vehicles, a supplier used the wrong material for part of the intake duct. That material did not match the characteristics of the correct material, so the duct can crack during use. Once cracked, the duct no longer controls airflow properly, and the engine can run poorly or stall.
Owners can get warning signs before failure. Watch for an abnormally rough idle, reduced engine power, or a Check Engine Light.
Who's affected?
Covers both Wrx and Forester across the 2015 and 2016 model years, all tied to the turbo/supercharger.
| 2015 Subaru Wrx | Turbo/supercharger |
|---|---|
| 2015 Subaru Forester | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2016 Subaru Wrx | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | Turbo/supercharger |
| Units affected | 18,187 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash because the vehicle can lose power while moving. Warning signs include rough engine idle, reduced engine power, or the Check Engine Light turning on. If those appear, pull over when safe and arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx or Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free turbocharger air intake duct inspection and replacement if the duct lot number is affected.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V162 and Subaru recall WTA-62 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete, and pull over safely if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the turbocharger air intake duct and checks the lot number on the duct. If that lot number is covered by the recall, the technician replaces the duct. The inspection, replacement part, and labor are free under recall 16V162. If you already paid for a related turbocharger air intake duct repair before the recall work was available, ask the service desk how to submit receipts or repair documentation under Subaru's standard reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 17, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 15, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V162?
Recall 16V162 covers 18,187 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx and Forester vehicles with a turbocharger air intake duct that can crack and lead to an engine stall. Subaru dealers will inspect the duct and replace it for free when the duct lot number requires replacement.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx or Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V162. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the turbocharger air intake duct inspection. Reference recall number 16V162 or Subaru recall WTA-62 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Subaru dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct and replace it free of charge when the affected duct lot number is found.
What is the safety risk with this Subaru recall?
The safety risk is engine stall. If the turbocharger air intake duct cracks and the engine stalls while driving, crash risk increases. Check your VIN, then schedule the dealer inspection so Subaru can replace the duct if your vehicle has the affected part.
What if I bought my Subaru Wrx or Forester used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific 2015-2016 Subaru Wrx or Forester is included, then give recall number 16V162 to the Subaru dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V162000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V162 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V162000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →