2003 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline (27) · Fuel/Propulsion System (25) · Suspension (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
151 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2011-09-06 · campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
Defect: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT L
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Service bulletins (151)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 151 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-23 · Unknown Or Other“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 drive and the subframe is about to snap! the mechanic gave me photos and…”
2025-05-23 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 220,251 mi“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; however, the contact later discovered that on july 20, 2022, the mile…”
2023-12-07 · Suspension · 117,000 mi“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 the exterior of the vehicle, the contact observed that the passenger’s…”
2022-08-18 · Suspension · 105,000 mi“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 speed, the lower control arm cracked. the vehicle was towed to an inde…”
2022-02-11 · Suspension“the 2003 subaru forester sub frame is rusted. i live in illinois. …”
2021-12-31 · Suspension“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 2011. according to service records, they had been treated with anti-corro…”
2021-05-17 · Steering“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 felt that way. through out. the day. i drove it a short. distance the nex…”
2021-02-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 133,000 mi“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.…”
2021-02-08 · Unknown Or Other · 133,000 mi“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.…”
2021-02-02 · Equipment“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 bulb is not an acceptable recall remedy because led bulbs are far superi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.