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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

15 reports
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42,878 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT HIM DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT HIM DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK OPEN. AS OF JULY 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,878. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196664

36,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

2003 SUBARU FORESTER SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION. *MR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER AND STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES THAT WERE 10 FEET AWAY. ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S HIT ANOTHER CAUSING DAMAGE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130186

11,000 miles · May 13, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETELY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN A PARKING LOT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN BACKING OUT, THE VEHICLE STARTED OUT SLOW BUT WOULD THEN SURGE IN REVERSE. THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE FRONT …

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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETELY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN A PARKING LOT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN BACKING OUT, THE VEHICLE STARTED OUT SLOW BUT WOULD THEN SURGE IN REVERSE. THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE SLIDERS. THE PADS WERE REMOVED AND THE CORROSION WAS CLEANED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED LIKE IT WAS IN CRUISE AND WHEN THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF OF THE GAS, THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN THE SAME. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117512

1,900 miles · Feb 16, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE CAUSING IT TO HIT THE FRONT DOOR OF A STORE. THE OWNER THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SHOT IN REVERSE, WHILE ACCELERATING FORWARD, THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A HOUSE. OWNER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *JB CAUSE NOT YET DETERMINED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10107426

13,580 miles · Sep 21, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPOT AT A HORSE FARM, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND I HIT A TREE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK. MY DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER BUT IS NOT ABLE TO STATE THIS WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HA…

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I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPOT AT A HORSE FARM, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND I HIT A TREE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK. MY DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER BUT IS NOT ABLE TO STATE THIS WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT $305 FOR CAR RENTAL $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR INSURANCE OUT OF MY POCKET NOT TO ALSO INCLUDE A DAY OF WORK MISSED DUE TO TRYING TO STOP CAR WITH BOTH FEET ON BRAKE AND BANGED BOTH KNEES. ALSO I CAN NOT EXPRESS THE FEAR THAT THIS HAS PUT IN ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ANY REASONS OR ANSWERS. THEY JUST IGNORED THE WHOLE ISSUE . I DO KNOW OTHER SUBARU'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN BUY THESE CARS SINCE THE 80'S. I WOULD HAVE SWORN BY THIS COMPANY UNTIL NOW. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD DENY SUCH AN ISSUE. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BECOME SERIOUSLY HURT. I NOW CRY AT THE COMMERCIAL THAT STATES THE FORESTER IS THE SAFEST SUV. I TRUST MY DEALER BUT HOW CAN I BE SURE IF THEY REPLACED THE PROPER PARTS IF SUBARU WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MY DEALER HAS TRIED TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND BUT CAN NOT STATE THAT REPLACEMENT WILL BE RESOLUTION. I DON'T FEEL MY INSURANCE OR MYSELF SHOULD BE PUT OUT DO TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION BEFORE. I AN SCARED TO DEATH EVERY TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS CAR AND ANY OTHER CAR AT THIS TIME.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10039256

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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