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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
170,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10560752

80,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE REMEDY DID NOT CORREC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10560750

77,116 miles · Jan 9, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

AT COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKING SOMEWHERE FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING STRONG ODOR INSIDE AND OUT OF CABIN. CONCERNED THAT THIS AMOUNT OF FUEL COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO BREATHE AND/OR CAUSE RISK FOR FIRE. NEED MORE PROACTIVE RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ON THIS MATTER, AT THIS POINT 26 OF 115 COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR ARE FOR THIS ISS…

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AT COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKING SOMEWHERE FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING STRONG ODOR INSIDE AND OUT OF CABIN. CONCERNED THAT THIS AMOUNT OF FUEL COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO BREATHE AND/OR CAUSE RISK FOR FIRE. NEED MORE PROACTIVE RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ON THIS MATTER, AT THIS POINT 26 OF 115 COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR ARE FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559281

85,000 miles · Jan 8, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE'S A NOXIOUS SMELL OF GASOLINE ENTERING THE CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. IT DISSIPATES WHEN DRIVING, BUT COMES RIGHT BACK WHEN IDLE. THIS WENT AWAY DURING THE SUMMER, BUT HAS RETURNED FOR THE WINTER OF 2013/14. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559069

62,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineStructure

2003 FORESTER HAS EXTREMELY STRONG AROMAS OF FUEL WHEN STARTING & DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF INHALATION: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN GASOLINE ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC AND ARE MUTAGENS. LIVER …

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2003 FORESTER HAS EXTREMELY STRONG AROMAS OF FUEL WHEN STARTING & DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF INHALATION: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN GASOLINE ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC AND ARE MUTAGENS. LIVER DAMAGE AND PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE ARE POSSIBILITIES. THE SIDE EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE INHALATION OF GASOLINE CAN RANGE FROM CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) DEPRESSION, WHICH CAN INCLUDE: EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION, MILD OR PRONOUNCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LACK OF APPETITE, DROWSINESS AND IN-COORDINATION. IN MORE SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PULMONARY EDEMA, AND DEATH. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558941

62,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

MY 2003 FORESTER HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY STRONG SMELLS OF FUEL WHEN DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER. INHALING FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH INHALATION OF FUMES: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN…

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MY 2003 FORESTER HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY STRONG SMELLS OF FUEL WHEN DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER. INHALING FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH INHALATION OF FUMES: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN GASOLINE ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC AND ARE MUTAGENS. LIVER DAMAGE AND PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE ARE POSSIBILITIES. THE SIDE EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE INHALATION OF GASOLINE CAN RANGE FROM CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) DEPRESSION, WHICH CAN INCLUDE: EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION, MILD OR PRONOUNCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LACK OF APPETITE, DROWSINESS AND IN-COORDINATION. IN MORE SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PULMONARY EDEMA, AND DEATH. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558933

60,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN STARTING MY CAR IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURE THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT MY HUSBAND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE. IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THREE DAYS IN OUR CURRENT COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558867

100,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

IN BELOW FREEZING COLD WEATHER MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558579

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING, THERE IS THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558415

136,934 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Structure

I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT RAMSEY SUBARU AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. IT SEEMS MORE LIKE THE THIN CHEAP METAL IS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 5 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558036

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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