CarModelProblems.com

2003 Subaru Forester Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline — runs 4.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
189Complaints
3Recalls
17Crashes
0Fires
9Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline (15.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints here are 4.5× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel System, Gasoline29 · 15.3%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System26 · 13.8%No official action
Air Bags20 · 10.6%No official action
Suspension19 · 10.1%RecalledRecall 11V464000
Vehicle Speed Control15 · 7.9%No official action
Engine12 · 6.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS20 · 10.6%
SUSPENSION19 · 10.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 · 7.9%
ENGINE12 · 6.3%
STRUCTURE:BODY10 · 5.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9 · 4.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 4.2%
Unspecified / other5 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 189 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · 2011 · reported 09/06/2011

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · 2002 · reported 10/30/2002

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 03V047000 · 2003 · reported 02/20/2003

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR ALSO AT ABOUT 134000 MILES. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES WOULD BE MY BEST GUESS, THE…”NHTSA complaint 10563471 — filed 02/08/2014 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
“DURING COLD WEATHER, (LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 15 DEGREES F), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING COMING…”NHTSA complaint 10563334 — filed 02/07/2014 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
“STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE UNDER HOOD WHEN STARTING CAR COLD. AUTO REPAIR CENTER FOUND LEAKING FUEL LINE. TIGHTENED CLAMPS. THEN THE FOLLOWING WINTER, 1.24.14 AGAIN…”NHTSA complaint 10562074 — filed 01/29/2014 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

920106122012214320142162016662018312020922022122025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?

Fuel system, gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 29 of 189 NHTSA complaints (15.3%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (26), air bags (20), suspension (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?

189 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V464000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Subaru Forester's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.