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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

189 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2004
Visibility

THE CONSUMER HIT HER GARAGE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE BREAKING THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. HOWEVER, WHEN THE GLASS BROKE, IT BROKE INTO PIECES AND DID NOT DISINTEGRATE. THE GLASS COMPANY CAME OUT AND EXPLAINED TO HER THAT THE GLASS HAD NOT GONE THROUGH THE PROPER PROCESSING, AND THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATI…

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THE CONSUMER HIT HER GARAGE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE BREAKING THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. HOWEVER, WHEN THE GLASS BROKE, IT BROKE INTO PIECES AND DID NOT DISINTEGRATE. THE GLASS COMPANY CAME OUT AND EXPLAINED TO HER THAT THE GLASS HAD NOT GONE THROUGH THE PROPER PROCESSING, AND THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095511

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2004
Child Seat

UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT ADJUSTOR STRAP. HOWEVER, BRITAX DID NOT SEND THE REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER MADE ANOTHER CALL TO BRITAX, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SHE EVER CALLED. SAFETY SEAT INFORMATION: MARATHON, SERIAL# …

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UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT ADJUSTOR STRAP. HOWEVER, BRITAX DID NOT SEND THE REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER MADE ANOTHER CALL TO BRITAX, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SHE EVER CALLED. SAFETY SEAT INFORMATION: MARATHON, SERIAL# E9L06057760, BATCH#503780, MANUFACTURED IN 03-17-03. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095278

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2004
Visibility

DEALERSHIP REPLACED THREE TIMES THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO CRACKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091893

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2004
Power Train

2002 SUBARU FORESTER - MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PERIODIC CLUTCH SHUDDER WHEN DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080671

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Equipment

KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE BECAME INOPERATIVE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED 80 TO 90% OF THE TIME THE KEYLESS DID NOT WORK. THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE WITH AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE SECOND SYSTEM HAS ONLY FAILED ONCE. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10081850

20,076 miles · Jun 30, 2004
Tires

TIRE EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. NO ACCIDENT ENTAILED. TIRE SHOWS GOOD TREAD LEFT, AND NO APPARENT SOURCE OF PUNCTURE, HITTING ROAD HAZARD OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. TIRE WILL BE REPLACED . TIRE WAS STOCK ON NEW (2003 SUBARU FORESTER) VEHICLE WITH APPROX 20,000 MILES. TIRE IS A YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 900, P215/60R 94H WITH SER…

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TIRE EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. NO ACCIDENT ENTAILED. TIRE SHOWS GOOD TREAD LEFT, AND NO APPARENT SOURCE OF PUNCTURE, HITTING ROAD HAZARD OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. TIRE WILL BE REPLACED . TIRE WAS STOCK ON NEW (2003 SUBARU FORESTER) VEHICLE WITH APPROX 20,000 MILES. TIRE IS A YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 900, P215/60R 94H WITH SERIAL NUMBER ON IT: C6288U-16. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE SAME TYPE. WONDERING IF ANY DEFECTS LED TO FAILURE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10079074

6,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
EquipmentVisibility

A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN 5 MIN THERE WAS A CRACK ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOTTOMOF THE GLASS, RADIATING DOWN INTO THE HEATING ELEMENT. $975. NE YEAR LATER, ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER CRACK RESULTED IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION. IS THERE A FLAW IN THE SUBARU GLASS? I WILL HAVE THIS ONE REPLACED WITH AFTER…

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A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN 5 MIN THERE WAS A CRACK ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOTTOMOF THE GLASS, RADIATING DOWN INTO THE HEATING ELEMENT. $975. NE YEAR LATER, ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER CRACK RESULTED IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION. IS THERE A FLAW IN THE SUBARU GLASS? I WILL HAVE THIS ONE REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET GLASS WITHOUT THE HEATING ELEMENT. $632 . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075374

15,000 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 15,000 MILES. CONSUMER STATED THAT 2,000 MILES LATER THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068644

27,800 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLE POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD ONE KEY HOLE, BUT HAD FIVE DOORS, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR/KEY HOLE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE VEHICLE A LOCK PAD ON THE DOOR ALLOWED FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE OTHER DOORS, OR A KEY REMOTE. THE CONSUMER'S LO…

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THIS VEHICLE POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD ONE KEY HOLE, BUT HAD FIVE DOORS, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR/KEY HOLE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE VEHICLE A LOCK PAD ON THE DOOR ALLOWED FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE OTHER DOORS, OR A KEY REMOTE. THE CONSUMER'S LOCK PAD ALSO DIDN'T WORK TEMPORARILY SO THE CONSUMER COULDN'T OPEN THE HATCH. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEMS. *JB THE REMOTE ENTRY DEVICE DID NOT WORK TEMPORARILY SO THE CONSUMER HAD TO GAIN ACCESS WITH THE KEY TO THE ONLY HOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, BUT THEN THE POWER LOCKS FAILED SO THE CONSUMER HAD NO WAY TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THERE WAS NO RELEASE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND NEEDED A NEW HARNESS TO RE-FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN OWNERSHIP. *SCC THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOWS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044678

400 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CLUTCH JITTER; STARTED IMMEDIATELY: CLUTCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 11,900 MILES. SPOKE WITH COUSIN IN CANADA WHO BOUGHT THE SAME CAR THE SAME DAY. ALREADY HAS REPLACED CLUTCH ONCE AND IS HAVING TROUBLE AGAIN WITH JITTER. VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY UPON COLD START. COMPUTER WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE AND SENT BACK TO FACTOR…

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CLUTCH JITTER; STARTED IMMEDIATELY: CLUTCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 11,900 MILES. SPOKE WITH COUSIN IN CANADA WHO BOUGHT THE SAME CAR THE SAME DAY. ALREADY HAS REPLACED CLUTCH ONCE AND IS HAVING TROUBLE AGAIN WITH JITTER. VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY UPON COLD START. COMPUTER WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE AND SENT BACK TO FACTORY TO BE RECALIBRATED AT 11,900. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047507

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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