Worst 2003 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Gasoline Fuel System
Fuel System
Airbags
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Fuel System | 29 | — | — | 94,995 mi | |
| Fuel System | 26 | — | — | 129,811 mi | |
| Airbags | 20 | 7 | — | 65,202 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 19 | 2 | — | 132,504 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 15 | 9 | — | 57,829 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 12 | — | — | 125,008 mi | |
| Body Structure | 10 | — | — | 121,129 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 | — | — | 41,950 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | 1 | — | 75,666 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 5 | — | — | 131,500 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Subaru Forester
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~318,215 vehicles.
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.
Other Subaru Forester Years
2003 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Subaru Forester reliable?
What are common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Subaru Forester?
How safe is the 2003 Subaru Forester?
Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2003 Subaru Forester?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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