2003 Subaru Forester Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · data through 07/14/2026

29Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

15.3%Of all 189 complaints

#1Most-reported category

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

How fuel system, gasoline ranks on this vehicle

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE29 · 15.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM26 · 13.8%

AIR BAGS20 · 10.6%

SUSPENSION19 · 10.1%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 · 7.9%

Share of the 189 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Subaru Forester overview page.

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

“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

“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

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have fuel system, gasoline problems?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Subaru Forester: 29 of 189 complaints on file (15.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Subaru Forester have in total?

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

What does NHTSA's fuel system, gasoline category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.