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: vehicle speed control
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 28, 2019, crash
MY MOTHER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & SHOT DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, THRU THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND LANDED IN THEIR BACKYARD. THE CAR JUST MISSED MY FATHER IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOUSE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE WHEN IT WENT THRU THE FRONT DOOR BASED ON THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DOOR & THE SKID MARKS ON THE TILE IN THE HALLWAY. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS MY MOTHER WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AT THE STORE & HIT ANOTHER CAR. AT THE TIME SHE THOUGHT THAT HER FOOT MUST HAVE SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE. MY FATHER DROVE IT A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT & SAID IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHILE HE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROX. 72,000.
Vehicle speed control, May 5, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING STRAIGHT, WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AT FULL SPEED. I CHECKED AND MADE SURE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK INSTEAD OF THE GAS, WHICH IT WAS. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN WITH BOTH OF MY FEET AND ALL OF MY WEIGHT ON THE BREAK, AND IT STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN BECAUSE THE BREAK COULD NOT STOP IT OR HOLD ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THREW THE CAR IN PARK EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL GOING 15 MPH AND CLIMBING. EVEN IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS GOING AS HARD AS IT COULD GO. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 3, 2013, crash
2013 SUBARU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE MOMENT, HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HE AND HIS WIFE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, HIS WIFE EXPERIENCED A SLOW BRAKE RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. HIS WIFE SUFFERED A BACK INJURY. THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AGAIN, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. CONSEQUENTLY, HIS WIFE HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN EITHER ACCIDENT. UPDATED 04/04/14*LJ
Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,500. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2012
WHILE PARKING AT THE OFFICE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY BRAKING HARD. THERE WAS NO RUG OBSTRUCTING THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKES. I WARE A SIZE 7 SHOE, THEREFORE THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF PRESSING BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS SCARY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 21, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP TO 35 MPH AFTER THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 20 MPH AND ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER HOME CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND HER HOME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, HOWEVER SHE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND REPAIRS WERE PAID BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH AND ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY FROM THE MAIN STREET, THE VEHICLE AGAIN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED, CRASHING INTO THE REAR WALL OF HER HOME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO HER GARAGE AND INTO THE REAR WALL OF A NEIGHBORING HOME. SHE DID NOT RECALL IF SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. SHE WAS NOT ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE INITIAL FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, HOWEVER THE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 2010, crash
ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010, I HAD AN INCIDENT OF "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" ON POOKS HILL ROAD AND WISCONSIN AVENUE. I WAS STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF SLOWING AND STOPPING. TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED INSTEAD TO MY RIGHT INTO A SNOW BANK. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. I WAS DRIVING A SUBARU FORESTER "ALL WHEEL DRIVE" 2003 VEHICLE. DESPITE THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE ICY SNOW BANK AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT BY AAA. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 28, 2008
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, I ENTERED TOWN LIMITS AND PRESSED SWITCH TO DE-ACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL; NOTHING HAPPENED; DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL; NOTHING HAPPENED- CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN; FRANTICALLY TRIED EVERYTHING SEVERAL TIMES MORE USING CLUTCH, BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. HAD TO TAKE A TURN AT HIGH SPEED TO AVOID A TRACTOR TRAILER STOPPED AT LIGHT; CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER MAKING THE TURN AND YANKING UP EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY . THE CONSUMER HIT A POLE THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV AND ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GATED DISPLAY OF PROPANE TANKS AND AN ICE-CREAM MACHINE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS GOING TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HER CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED *LJ
Vehicle speed control, Jul 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT HIM DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK OPEN. AS OF JULY 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,878. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2005, crash
2003 SUBARU FORESTER SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION. *MR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER AND STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES THAT WERE 10 FEET AWAY. ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S HIT ANOTHER CAUSING DAMAGE. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2005
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETELY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN A PARKING LOT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN BACKING OUT, THE VEHICLE STARTED OUT SLOW BUT WOULD THEN SURGE IN REVERSE. THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE SLIDERS. THE PADS WERE REMOVED AND THE CORROSION WAS CLEANED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED LIKE IT WAS IN CRUISE AND WHEN THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF OF THE GAS, THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN THE SAME. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2005, crash
THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE CAUSING IT TO HIT THE FRONT DOOR OF A STORE. THE OWNER THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SHOT IN REVERSE, WHILE ACCELERATING FORWARD, THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A HOUSE. OWNER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *JB CAUSE NOT YET DETERMINED. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2003, crash
I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPOT AT A HORSE FARM, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND I HIT A TREE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK. MY DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER BUT IS NOT ABLE TO STATE THIS WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT $305 FOR CAR RENTAL $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR INSURANCE OUT OF MY POCKET NOT TO ALSO INCLUDE A DAY OF WORK MISSED DUE TO TRYING TO STOP CAR WITH BOTH FEET ON BRAKE AND BANGED BOTH KNEES. ALSO I CAN NOT EXPRESS THE FEAR THAT THIS HAS PUT IN ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ANY REASONS OR ANSWERS. THEY JUST IGNORED THE WHOLE ISSUE . I DO KNOW OTHER SUBARU'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN BUY THESE CARS SINCE THE 80'S. I WOULD HAVE SWORN BY THIS COMPANY UNTIL NOW. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD DENY SUCH AN ISSUE. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BECOME SERIOUSLY HURT. I NOW CRY AT THE COMMERCIAL THAT STATES THE FORESTER IS THE SAFEST SUV. I TRUST MY DEALER BUT HOW CAN I BE SURE IF THEY REPLACED THE PROPER PARTS IF SUBARU WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MY DEALER HAS TRIED TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND BUT CAN NOT STATE THAT REPLACEMENT WILL BE RESOLUTION. I DON'T FEEL MY INSURANCE OR MYSELF SHOULD BE PUT OUT DO TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION BEFORE. I AN SCARED TO DEATH EVERY TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS CAR AND ANY OTHER CAR AT THIS TIME.*JB