KnownCarProblemsHome › Subaru › Forester › 2003
2003 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Subaru Forester, most often about the fuel system (30% of complaints, typically around 102,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Subaru Forester problems
Fuel system
57 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
2003 Forester has heavy smells of fuel when starting in cold weather only. This was prevent last winter and has returned this winter. Fuel vapors are very dangerous. Subaru should issue a recall and address the issue.
Purchased 2003 Subaru Forester from dealer in march of 2011. Dealer refused to provide service records. Strong raw fuel odors coming into cabin when outside temperature is below 40 degrees. Remnants of odor last several days after warmer temperatures return. Received estimate from dealer of several hundred dollars to…
Engine
31 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Took Forester into Subaru dealer for 3k oil change; was told that almost all of my anti-freeze was gone and that the head gaskets were leaking, needing replacement at $1500. Miles on vehicle: 78k, purchased 6/02 new, all maintenance performed at dealer per schedule. At this time, I'm looking into websites to identify…
At cold temperatures, fuel leaking somewhere from vehicle, causing strong odor inside and out of cabin. Concerned that this amount of fuel could be hazardous to breathe and/or cause risk for fire. Need more proactive response from Subaru on this matter, at this point 26 of 115 complaints for this make/model/year are…
Air bags
25 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
: the contact stated while driving at 35 MPH on a gravel road a deer ran out in front of the vehicle. The contact tapped the brake pedal to miss the deer; this in turn caused the contact to lose control. The vehicle hit a double post head on, then slid down an embankment and stood on its nose. It then flipped onto the…
: the contact stated the air bag light illuminated. The dealership determined the harness assembly underneath the floor board was not long enough to maintain a connection and recommended a kit be installed. After the kit was installed, the air bag light went off.
Suspension
22 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
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 from the right lane to the extreme left lane…
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…
Body and structure
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 131,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
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.
Today I was at my mechanics to replace a muffler. After raising the car up on the rack he noticed destructive rust that was covering and inundating the k frame and front lower control arms (transverse links). In september of 2012 I was at gary lang Subaru (illinois) for an unrelated issue. The safety recall for my…
Speed control
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
While parking at the office, the car suddenly accelerated. I was able to stop it by braking hard. There was no rug obstructing the accelerator or brakes. I ware a size 7 shoe, therefore there is no possibility of pressing both pedals at the same time. It was scary.
The contact owned a 2003 Subaru Forester. While driving at speeds of less than 20 MPH and entering her driveway, the vehicle abnormally accelerated at a rapid speed. The vehicle crashed into her home causing considerable damages to the vehicle and her home. The airbags did not deploy at the time of impact, however she…
Brakes
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
2003 Subaru Forester purchased may 2003 1. Brakes did not feel correct - low brake pedal 2. Made appointment at aaa auto mark car care center for brakes to be checked 3. Aaa auto mark car care center person said that our master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced. Our vehicle mileage - 18046 - and even that…
Had started to brake in order slow down vehicle and felt the brake pedal going to the floor. Vehicle failed to stop right away. Had been in contact with dealership concerning brakes. Problem had not been resolved.
Transmission
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Manual clutch chatters. Mainly 1st and 2nd gear, only after sitting for long periods of time (6-12 hrs). Started early, around 7,000 miles. First time I complained about it, Subaru said that I wasn't driving it properly. 3rd time I reported it (at 15,000 mi), Subaru acknowledged the problem and they are now going to…
Manual transmission. Clutch shudders (chatters) in 1st and sometimes 2nd gear. Problem occurs after car has not been used for a while (such as overnight), and especially in the morning. Car was bought used with 14,000 miles, and had this problem from when it was bought. Dealer replaced clutch assembly which appears to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Subaru Forester recalls
Suspension: lower arm
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.
Full defect summary
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 lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies. Owner notification began february 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies were improperly manufactured.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification january 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Questions about the 2003 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (57 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles); engine (31 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); air bags (25 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 6, 2011 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is 11th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints, with 189 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.