Severe Issues

2003 SUBARU FORESTER Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Subaru Forester. This model year has 191 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

191
Complaints
17
Crashes
β€”
Fires
9
Injuries
2
Deaths
3
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2003 Subaru Forester Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
32
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
#2
31
complaints

Fuel System

#3
31
complaints

Gasoline

Considering a 2003 Subaru Forester?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems321β€”β€”
Fuel System31β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline31β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System26β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions258β€”β€”
Suspension Failures222β€”β€”
Structural Problems19β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration159β€”β€”
Brake System102β€”β€”
Hydraulic102β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain9β€”β€”β€”
Visibility7β€”β€”β€”
Equipment6β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues5β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults5β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects42β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues4β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues33β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper2β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Child Seat1β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 191 most recent complaints

Uncategorized IssuesAug 23, 2025

I bought a used vehicle and looked at it and they erased the codes I saw then erased it then I confronted them and was told nothing is wrong with the vehicle after telling them there is a recall on the suspension. Went to go get a alignment and was told it's severely unsafe to dr…

Electrical FaultsMay 23, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while investigating the vehicle mileage at [XXX] , it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 21,084;…

Suspension FailuresDec 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the contact became aware that the power steering was not functioning properly. After a visual inspection of …

Suspension FailuresAug 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed but nothing was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at unknown …

Suspension FailuresFeb 11, 2022

The 2003 Subaru Forester Sub Frame is rusted. I live in Illinois.

Steering DefectsDec 31, 2021

Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm completely rusted in half. It occurred while parking vehicle, fortunately not driving at high speed. The recall was previously completed by Subaru dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 201…

Steering DefectsMay 17, 2021

I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I fel…

Engine ProblemsFeb 8, 2021

WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW ABOUT 20-30 F), THE VEHICLE GIVES OFF A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE FUEL RAIL CONTRACTING TO THE POINT THAT SOME FUEL IS SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A FIRE RISK.

Uncategorized IssuesFeb 8, 2021

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN A MANNER WHICH CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. A STRONG BURNING ODOR IS PRESENT AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP COMPLETELY.

EquipmentFeb 2, 2021

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROPOSED RECALL REMEDY FOR NHTSA ID: 21E002000 . THE NOTICE SAYS, "NINGBO WILL NOTIFY DISTRIBUTORS, AND OWNERS, AND WILL REPLACE THE BULB WITH HALOGEN BULBS, FREE OF CHARGE." THIS OFFERED REPLACEMENT OF THEIR DEFECTIVE LED BULB WITH A HALOGEN BU…

Suspension FailuresNov 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MAKING AN ABNORMAL METALLIC GRINDING SOUND. HIS DAUGHTER PULLED OVER AND CALLED HIM FOR ASSISTA…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashAug 28, 2019

MY MOTHER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & SHOT DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, THRU THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND LANDED IN THEIR BACKYARD. THE CAR JUST MISSED MY FATHER IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOUSE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER…

Structural ProblemsJun 15, 2019

FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RUSTS AWAY CAUSING FAILURE. COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND COULD INJURE PASSENGERS. TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS COULD CAUSE IT TO SNAP DUE TO EXTRA FORCE.

Suspension FailuresπŸ’₯ CrashNov 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHICH EMITTED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, GOING FRO…

Suspension FailuresAug 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES AROUND THE FRONT FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT FRAME, AND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARMS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME AND DRIVER AN…

Suspension FailuresMar 23, 2018

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AT THE WELD SEAM WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE SWUNG REARWARD AND OUTWARD BECAUSE THE FRONT PORTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE CONTROL ARM. THIS PULLED THE CAR…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemJan 5, 2018

FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL LINES AROUND THE ENGINE WHEN IT'S COLD.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemJan 4, 2018

FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDER 20 DEGREE TEMPS, SMELLS STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IDOLING AS WELL AS DRIVING

Fuel SystemDec 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 25 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEIL HUFFMAN SUBARU DEALER…

Suspension FailuresJun 3, 2017

VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY RECALLED IN 2011/2012 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11011. AT TIME, DEALER CONDUCTED PUNCH TEST AND DETERMINED LOWER CONTROL ARM TO "PASS" AND USED SOME TYPE OF ANTI-CORROSION SPRAY. FAST FORWARD TO 2017 AND LOWER CONTROL AR…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Subaru Forester.

Recalls for 2003 Subaru Forester

3 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

11V464000Jun 9, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

02V282000Invalid Date
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

03V047000Invalid Date
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

2003 Subaru Forester β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2003 Subaru Forester reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2003 Subaru Forester has 191 NHTSA owner complaints, 17 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (32 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (32 complaints). #2: Fuel System (31 complaints). #3: Gasoline (31 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2003 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2003 Subaru Forester has 17 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 191 total NHTSA complaints. 9 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2003 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2003 Subaru Forester has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2003 Subaru Forester

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.