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2003 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

151 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

19 reports
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81,100 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN RIGHT AFTER STARTUP AND THROUGHOUT SHORT TRIPS, ESPECIALLY WITH HEATER ON. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE NEAR OR BELOW THE FREEZING MARK. DID NOT EXPERIENCE BEFORE THIS WINTER, NOW OCCURS DAILY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED…

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VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN RIGHT AFTER STARTUP AND THROUGHOUT SHORT TRIPS, ESPECIALLY WITH HEATER ON. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE NEAR OR BELOW THE FREEZING MARK. DID NOT EXPERIENCE BEFORE THIS WINTER, NOW OCCURS DAILY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED! IF SUBARU KNOWS THAT THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562186

26,279 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED OR WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED OR WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT THE HEAD GASKET THEN BEGAN LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,279 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,300. UPDATED 04/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10450053

115,000 miles · Mar 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 SUBARU FORESTER ~114K MILES. DURING PASSING (~70 MPH)ENGINE HAS STALLED 2X IN PAST WEEK. AFTER COMING TO FULL STOP AND TURNING KEY IN IGNITION FULL "OFF", CAR RESTARTS WITH NO DIFFICULTY WILL TAKE TO DEALER THIS WEEK. HAD BATTER INSTALLED ~ 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389662

101,570 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrash

FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE STRIKING A DEER AT THIS SPEED SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SOMETIMES WOULD REMAIN ON, BUT MOSTLY IT WAS OFF. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THROUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH TO FORCE SU…

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FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE STRIKING A DEER AT THIS SPEED SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SOMETIMES WOULD REMAIN ON, BUT MOSTLY IT WAS OFF. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THROUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH TO FORCE SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THE OTHER ISSUE FOUND WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE IS THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS ARE SEEPING COOLANT, THE DRIVERS SIDE IS SEEPING MORE JUST LIKE THE RECALL DESCRIBES ON 1999-2002 MODELS. EVEN THOUGH THIS A 2003 IT WAS PURCHASED IN THE FALL OF 2002, SUBARU FAILED TO CONTACT ME AND ADVISE ME TO ADD THE $1.44 COOLANT ADDITIVE TO SAVE THE HEAD GASKETS. HOW IS A CONSUMER SUPPOSED TO KNOW THESE LITTLE DETAILS? NOW THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES FOR THEM TO CARE, STICKING ME WITH THE ESTIMATED $2000 REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10371528

55,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER - PURCHASED NEW - CURRENTLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED 3 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME, NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT COOLANT PROBLEMS OR LEAKS. LAST WEEK, ON THE TURNPIKE, THE RPM NEEDLE STARTED SWINGING WILDLY AND I LOST POWER. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE TURNPIKE AND SHUT DOW…

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MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER - PURCHASED NEW - CURRENTLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED 3 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME, NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT COOLANT PROBLEMS OR LEAKS. LAST WEEK, ON THE TURNPIKE, THE RPM NEEDLE STARTED SWINGING WILDLY AND I LOST POWER. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE TURNPIKE AND SHUT DOWN AND BY THAT TIME SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED IS THAT THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED AT THE HEAD GASKETS - A PROBLEM THAT I AM NOW LEARNING SUBARU HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF AT LEAST $2600. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY SUBARU OR THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH I CONSISTENTLY HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT REPURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. OBVIOUSLY, A 2003 VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY. COMMENTS I HAVE HEARD ARE THAT "YOU'RE STILL BREAKING IN THE ENGINE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281824

64,886 miles · May 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER XS IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT NOW DEFUNCT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AUTO SERVICE MECHANIC I WAS ABLE TO REACH SHOWED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN 3 PLACES, REQUIRING A COSTLY REPAIR OF T…

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I PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER XS IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT NOW DEFUNCT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AUTO SERVICE MECHANIC I WAS ABLE TO REACH SHOWED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN 3 PLACES, REQUIRING A COSTLY REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET. I LEARNED FROM HIM THAT THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS. I HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY WITH SUBARU FOR 60,000 MILES. AT NO TIME WAS I NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR OR BY ANY SUBARU SERVICE CENTER, THAT SPECIAL COOLANT WAS REQUIRED TO MITIGATE THIS DEFECT. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268187

115,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD REGULAR SERVICE DONE TO MY CAR AT CLAY SUBARU OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC NOTICED SOME OIL SEEPAGE FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE MONITORED THE OIL LEVEL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ABOUT A QUART IN B…

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I HAD REGULAR SERVICE DONE TO MY CAR AT CLAY SUBARU OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC NOTICED SOME OIL SEEPAGE FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE MONITORED THE OIL LEVEL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ABOUT A QUART IN BETWEEN REGULAR OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I KNOW THIS REPRESENTS MAJOR ENGINE WORK. THEY QUOTED THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 115,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN DEC 2002. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254368

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST/FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR CAB DURING USE IN COLD WEATHER/ USE OF HEATER IN 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253756

100,000 miles · Dec 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. IT GETS SO BAD AT TIMES THAT IT CAUSES IRRITATION IN MY THROAT AND A BURNING SENSATION IN MY EYES. IT ALSO LEAVES A FOUL TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LASTS WELL AFTER I EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252787

52,047 miles · May 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ODOR AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUN AND TURNED OFF. DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS. PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE NOTICING SEVERAL LEAK SPOTS ON GARAGE FLOOR, SO MADE APPOINTMENT WITH MECHANIC WHO KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCTOBER, 2002 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT A…

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NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ODOR AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUN AND TURNED OFF. DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS. PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE NOTICING SEVERAL LEAK SPOTS ON GARAGE FLOOR, SO MADE APPOINTMENT WITH MECHANIC WHO KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCTOBER, 2002 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE SPENT $1300 TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA KNEW ABOUT AND HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OR RECALL OF ANY KIND RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD MAKE SOME SORT OF RESTITUTION TO ITS CUSTOMERS FOR THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228226

Official recalls

3

11V464000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Sep 6, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

03V047000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Feb 20, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: 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.

02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 30, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11011 · Front Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Apr 7, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

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, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

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, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front:control Arm

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, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front

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, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension

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, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

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