IllustrationHAVE HAD TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. EACH TIME, IT WAS STATED BY THE MECHANIC TO BE A FAULTY WHEEL BEARING, BUT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES, A QUESTION HAS BEEN RAISED OF POSSIBLE OTHER SOURCE. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1525–50K
2550–75K
2575–100K
42100–150K
24150K+
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
What owners actually said
189 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM MY VENTS, INCREASING WHEN I TUNED ON MY HEAT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS BEHIND A CAR USING DIESEL FUEL. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 11 DEGREES F. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE SUBARU DEALER WHEN ON THE SECOND DAY IT INCREASED AND I HAD TO OPEN …
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM MY VENTS, INCREASING WHEN I TUNED ON MY HEAT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS BEHIND A CAR USING DIESEL FUEL. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 11 DEGREES F. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE SUBARU DEALER WHEN ON THE SECOND DAY IT INCREASED AND I HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO FOR VENTILATION AS THIS WAS MAKING ME FEEL LIGHT HEADED AN ILL. I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON IN REPAIR THAT AN EMPLOYEE OF SUBARU HAD COME IN ALSO THAT DAY WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MY CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE LEAKS IN THE GAS LINES. I WAS TOLD HIS HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER. SINCE SUBARU ADVERTISES THEIR VEHICLES AS THE COLD WEATHER VEHICLES I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND FEEL THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL, SINCE THEY HAVE RECALLED SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES FOR THIS VERY SAME REASON. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING TO SAY THE LEAST. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST 750.00 TO REPAIR. I FEEL HIS IS A DEFECT AND MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOUED BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. *TR
WHEN WEATHER IS COLD, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CAR. HAPPENS ON ANY MORNING WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. *TR
STARTED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROX. 1 MILE IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL AN EXTREMELY STRONG RAW GASOLINE ODOR. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS INUNDATED WITH THE ODOR. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS BUT DID NOT SEE ANY(IT WAS AT NIGHT). I SLOWLY DROVE HOME WITH MY PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOWS OPEN. HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE.... …
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STARTED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROX. 1 MILE IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL AN EXTREMELY STRONG RAW GASOLINE ODOR. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS INUNDATED WITH THE ODOR. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS BUT DID NOT SEE ANY(IT WAS AT NIGHT). I SLOWLY DROVE HOME WITH MY PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOWS OPEN. HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE.... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE OCCUPANCY SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE OCCUPANCY SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE VAP VALVE WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NOT A FUEL LEAK PRESENT. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE VAP VALVE WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NOT A FUEL LEAK PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 01/18/13*LJ UPDATED 1/25/2013 *JS
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. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR IN THE SHOP, STILL REMAINS ON. *TR
2003 SUBARU FORESTER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE HARNESS WIRES WERE CORRODED AND REQUIRED HARNESS REPAIR. SUBARU PARENT COMPANY SAID THERE IS ONLY A 30000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE AIRBAG WIRES.... THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. SHOULD BE COVERED U DER 100,000 WARR…
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2003 SUBARU FORESTER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE HARNESS WIRES WERE CORRODED AND REQUIRED HARNESS REPAIR. SUBARU PARENT COMPANY SAID THERE IS ONLY A 30000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE AIRBAG WIRES.... THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. SHOULD BE COVERED U DER 100,000 WARRANTY. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000. UPDATED 7/9/12 *CN THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. UPDATED 07/10/12
Official recalls
311V464000 · 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
1PE11011 · 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.