2003 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 191 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 17 involved a crash. 9 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armSep 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.
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 11V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyFeb 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.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
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.
Campaign 03V047000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 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.
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 02V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
26 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2021
I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2021
WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW ABOUT 20-30 F), THE VEHICLE GIVES OFF A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE FUEL RAIL CONTRACTING TO THE POINT THAT SOME FUEL IS SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A FIRE RISK.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2018
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL LINES AROUND THE ENGINE WHEN IT'S COLD.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2018
FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDER 20 DEGREE TEMPS, SMELLS STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IDOLING AS WELL AS DRIVING
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2017
WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS COLD THERE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE MODE WHEN DRIVING THE SMELL DISSIPATES BUT YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT FAINTLY I NOTICED IT LAST YEAR I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND THEY NOTICED A POOLING OF GASOLINE BUT THEY NOTICE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE WEATHER WAS WARM SO THEY TIGHTENED THEY TIGHTENED THE ENGINE TO THE CHASSIS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 6, 2017
THREE YEARS AGO, WE STARTED TO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL WHEN DRIVING OUR 2003 SUBARU FORESTER ON VERY COLD DAYS (BELOW 20 DEGREES). WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY COULDN'T FIND A SPECIFIC LEAK, BUT THEY TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AROUND THE FUEL LINES. WE CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE SMELL AND TOOK THE CAR TO OTHER SERVICE CENTERS TO SEE IF ANOTHER MECHANIC COULD FIND THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR. WE RECENTLY TOOK THE DARK BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND WERE INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SUBARU OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR ISSUES ON FORESTER AND OTHER SUBARU MODELS MANUFACTURED IN THE EARLY 2000S. OTHER OWNERS REPORTED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE CAR. GIVEN THE SAFETY RISK OF LEAKING FUEL, WE URGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2016
LAST WINTER ON COLD DAYS I NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING INTO INTERIOR CABIN OF CAR, ATTRIBUTED IT TO DIRTY AIR FILTER, CHANGED IT AND WEATHER GOT NICE SO SMELL WAS GONE. NOW IT'S JANUARY AGAIN AND COLD TEMPS HAVE ARRIVED, NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN WORSE THAN EVER. WHILE TAKING CAR FOR OIL CHANGE THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME I HAVE A FUEL LEAK AND THAT IS WHY THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS. NOW I WON'T DRIVE MORE THAN 10 MILES FEARFUL THAT I MAY WIND UP IN A ROLLING FIREBALL. SINCE THERE A MULTITUDES OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS, I THINK SUBARU OF AMERICA NEEDS TO DO 1 THING..RECALL AND REPLACE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS. IT SMELLS WHEN IT IS STARTED, SMELLS DURING INITIAL DRIVE AND FOR QUITE SOME TIME -- DRIVING WITH WINDOWS DOWN AT 30 DEGREES AND BELOW IS DIFFICULT, I DID IT DURING OUR BLIZZARD TOO. AREA AROUND ENGINE REEKS OF FUEL AS WELL. I ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKETS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE FOR THE PRIOR FEW YEARS WHICH MY MODEL WASN'T COVERED UNDER. INSTALLED NEW MUFFLER SO THAT'S NOT IT EITHER.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2016
EVERYONE THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW FREEZING THERE IS A TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL THAT FILLS THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT IS ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AND IT CAUSES HEADACHES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND WHILE DRIVING IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2015
FIRST EVENT WAS IN DECEMBER 2014, LONG ISLAND, NY: AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3 MILES, STOPPED WITH CAR SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, WHEN RESTARTING, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FRESH/RAW GAS ODOR IN THE CAR. SICKENING ODOR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER DID A SMOKE TEST, SAID THEY FIXED IT BY TIGHTENING CLAMPS ON FUEL RAIL ON 2/11/15. THE ODOR CONTINUES SPORADICALLY. NOW, MARCH 3, 2015, THEY WANT TO REPLACE HOSES ON FUEL RAILS. MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 92,200. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2015
ON WINTER DAYS, WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE NOT UNUSUALLY LOW FOR A NORTHERN STATE, THE FUEL LINES ON THE FORESTER WILL SHRINK AND CONTRACT. THE RESULT IS THAT FUEL WILL LEAK OUT OF THE LINE RESULTING IN TWO THINGS, FUEL VAPORS IN THE CABIN AND FUEL PUDDLING ON THE ENGINE. FUEL PUDDLING ON THE ENGINE REPRESENTS ON OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. THE HEAVY FUEL VAPORS AND ODOR IN THE CABIN CAUSED ME TO BECOME NAUSEOUS AND LIGHT HEADED. IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY, THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED ALMOST COMPLETELY. LUCKILY THEY WERE NOT FROZEN UP, WHICH IS ALSO COMMON IN WINTER MONTHS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SEVERAL DAYS WHERE WIND CHILL ALONE COULD RESULT IN FROST BITE IN ONLY A FEW MINUTES. I COULD NOT HAVE ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOWS SAFELY ON THOSE DAYS OR IN SIMILAR TEMPS BECAUSE OF THE ADDED VEHICLE SPEED. SOA IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OR ADMIT THAT IT APPLIES TO MOST OF ITS MODELS. THE PROBLEM EVEN CONTINUES ON LATER MODELS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE, SEE THIS THREAD THAT SPANS SEVERAL YEARS (CONTINUING TODAY): HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F87/SMELL-GAS-COLD-STARTS-41319/ THE LINES AND PROBLEM ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE IMPREZA ISSUE, WHICH RESULTED IN SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 09-36-03. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 16, 2015
VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN VEHICLE CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2015
BAD RAW FUEL ODOR IN CABIN IN COLD WEATHER, HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR WEEKS. WENT ONLINE, FOUND TONS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2003 FORESTER, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2015
WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS TO LOW DOUBLE DIGITS (TEENS OR BELOW) THE CAB OF THE CAR BEGINS TO SMELL OF GASOLINE. I HAVE HAD IT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND THEY CANNOT FIND A LEAK ANYWHERE IN THE FUEL LINE. IT GOES AWAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE MOVES BACK TO WARMER TEMPERATURES. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2014
A RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING TWO METAL GAS LINES HAS STARTED TO LEAK. THIS IS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE WRX MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR. THIS ENGINE IS THE SAME ENGINE AS IN THE WRX. IT IS THE 2.5 N/A. WHY ARE OUR MOTORS NOT BEING FIXED AS WELL? THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. IT IS NEAR THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2014
VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN COLD WEATHER. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2014
IN FREEZING WEATHER A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLS THE CAR. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2014
WHEN TEMPERATURE IS LESS THAN 32, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS. IT GETS WORSE WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. FUMES ARE OVERWHELMING. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 12, 2014
COLD WEATHER FUEL LINE LEAK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2014
2003 FORESTER 2.5XS IN ALBERTA, CANADA (OWNED SINCE DEC 2004). SAME ISSUE AT 221,000 KILOMETERS: WE HAVE BEEN NOTICING VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW (WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE). THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. AS A LOT OF OWNERS NOTED HERE AND ON OTHER NUMEROUS WEB SITES, THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD NOW. OTHERWISE, IT'S BEEN THE BEST CAR WE'VE HAD AND WE STILL LOVE IT. HOPEFULLY SUBARU WILL NOTICE THESE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND WILL STAY BEHIND ITS REPUTATION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2014
RECENTLY NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF PURE GASOLINE WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE SMELL ISN'T SO BAD UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE HEATING SYSTEM. NOT LONG AFTER, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN IN ORDER TO BREATH FRESH AIR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2014
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 9, 2014
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2014
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING, THERE IS THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2013
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2013
WHEN WEATHER IS COLD, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CAR. HAPPENS ON ANY MORNING WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. *TR