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
191 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Oct 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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.
Structure, Feb 11, 2016
I WAS GETTING NEW TIRES PLACED ON MY VEHICLE WHEN MY MECHANIC NOTICED THAT MY CONTROL ARMS AS WELL AS THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. I CONTACTED SUBARU WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARMS FOR RUSTING OUT BUT NOT ON THE SUBFRAME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO GET CONTROL ARMS PLACE ON A MECHANIC FROM THE DEALER SHIP CONTACTED ME. HE STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS IN BAD SHAPE AND THAT IF THEY WERE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THEY COULD NOT PASS THE INSPECTION PER THE LEVEL OF RUST AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THEY STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED/FIXED. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN A SUBFRAME CORRODE SO BADLY IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE LAST THING ON A CAR TO GO SHOULD BE THE SUBFRAME AND FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS AND I AM REALLY SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL IN REF TO THIS. I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY DON'T KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WHEN THEY KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONTROL ARMS.
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.
Suspension, Dec 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD SEVERE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2015
INSPECTION OF VEHICLE IN JULY 18,2003 REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OD BOTH SUBFRAME BARS DUE TO SEVERE RUST. SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVED SEVERE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND DRIVERS SIDE AXLE BROKE, AND BENT WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HOP, JUMP, LOSS OF STEERING. STOPPED BY RUNNING ALONG SIDE OF CURB. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM DUE TO SEVERE RUST. MECHANIC SAID PARTS WERE BACK ORDER FOR MONTHS. WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLACE SO HE RESHAPED A 2002 SUBARU ASSEMBLY TO RETURN MY VEHICLE, AFTER 11 DAYS ON HIS LIFT. I AM 73 YRS. OLD AND HAVE CHRONIC ANXIETY ISSUES. AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO LOOKS RUSTY.
Suspension, Sep 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2015
TODAY I WAS AT MY MECHANICS TO REPLACE A MUFFLER. AFTER RAISING THE CAR UP ON THE RACK HE NOTICED DESTRUCTIVE RUST THAT WAS COVERING AND INUNDATING THE K FRAME AND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS (TRANSVERSE LINKS). IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 I WAS AT GARY LANG SUBARU (ILLINOIS) FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE. THE SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE , WVX-34, REQUIRED AN INSPECTION AND REPAIRS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACEMENT OR CORROSION TREATMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS (TRANSVERSE LINK). ACCORDING TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, THAT RECALL WAS "COMPLETED". THE SUBARU OPERATOR (KAYLA) COULD NOT ELABORATE ON THE TERM "COMPLETE". NO MENTION OF ANY SPECIFIC ACTION WAS REPORTED. TODAY, DURING THE INSPECTION OF SAID AREA, MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT NO PROOF EXISTED OF EITHER CORRECTIVE ACTION, EITHER UNDERCOATING OR MECHANICAL REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND AT SOME POINT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT LOSS OF CONTROL WILL FOLLOW IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BREAKS. I WILL PURSUE THE SUBARU DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY.
Engine, Jun 5, 2015
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND MAINTAINED IT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. HOWEVER, AROUND 75,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKETS STARTED LEAKING. AFTER EACH USE OF THE CAR, OIL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND PRODUCE A BURNT OIL SMELL IN THE GARAGE; NOT GOOD. THE LEAK REMAINED LIMITED AND OUR SERVICE TECHNICIAN (AAA-APPROVED), ADVISED US TO NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS RIGHT AWAY, BUT TO MONITOR THE LEAK. THE LEAKING BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND AFFECTED BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOXER CYLINDER HEADS. AT 90,000 MILES, THE LEAKS REQUIRED A FULL HEAD GASKET REPAIR, NECESSITATING EXTRACTION OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. WHILE THIS WORK WAS DONE, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP AND OTHER UNRELATED MAINTENANCE ISSUES WERE PERFORMED. THE MAIN COMPLAINT WE HAVE IS WITH THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS BOXER ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS. SUBARU *KNOWS* THERE IS A PROBLEM AS IT RECOMMENDS AN COOLANT ADDITIVE FOR OLDER ENGINES IN AN ATTEMPT TO POSTPONE THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. AND A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY THOUSANDS OF SUBARU OWNERS HAVE HAD HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, YET SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. IF THE BOXER ENGINE DESIGN IS PRONE TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, AS IT APPEARS TO BE IN SUBARUS, AND FAILURES HAPPEN WELL BEFORE 100,000 MILES, SUBARU SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS DESIGN AND COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THESE EXPENSIVE FAILURES. OUR REPAIR COST NEARLY $4,000, WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE BELIEVE SOA SHOULD ISSUE RECALL FOR A FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN, AND DEVELOP A HEAD GASKET THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME! SOA CONTINUES TO BUILD THIS SAME ENGINE INTO ITS CURRENT MODELS, AND THE PURCHASERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL EACH DISCOVER THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, WHEN WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED AND REQUIRE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. IF THESE PROBLEMS HAD LED TO CRASHES SOA BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Structure, Apr 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. IN 2012, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND A RUSTPROOF SOLUTION WAS APPLIED TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
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
Suspension, Feb 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER COATED THE CONTROL ARMS, BUT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
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
Structure, Jan 16, 2015
2003 - SUBARU - FORESTER - BODY HARDWARE, FENDER, STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS & RAILS, LOWER FRAME LEFT IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SUPPORT STRUT BESIDE IT BUT NONE ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR CRASH PROTECTION COMPONENT AS IT CONNECTS THE BUMPER TO THE FRAME. I TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL SO IT IS MY PROBLEM. CLEARLY THE STEEL THAT WAS USED WAS SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN SALTY/HUMID ROAD CONDITIONS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL ON THE STRUT. THE OTHER SIDE (RIGHT) IS IN GOOD CONDITION, INDICATING DEFECTIVE MATERIALS IN THIS PART. *TR
Structure, Jan 9, 2015
THE TWO FRONT SUB FRAMES HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND THIN METAL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 9, 2015
IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE IS OVERCOME WITH FUEL FUMES. IT HAPPENS AT IDLE AND LOW SPEEDS, DOES GO AWAY ONCE WE ARE DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES OVER 30 MPH. IT IS SO BAD WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN IN 5 DEGREE WEATHER. DEFINITELY COMING IN THROUGH THE HEAT VENTS, HOWEVER, SHUTTING THE HEAT OFF DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST WINTER WITH THE CAR AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS HAPPEN UNTIL THE LAST FEW DAYS, WHEN THE TEMPS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY BELOW 30 DEGREES F. I'VE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS, NOT SURE WHY THERE IS NO RECALL/SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. IT CAN'T BE SAFE TO BREATHE THESE FUMES! WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, AS WE OTHERWISE LOVE THIS VEHICLE! *TR
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
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2015
MY SON WAS DRIVING FROM NEW JERSEY. SUDDENLY THE FRONT HOOD OPENED AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER THREE LANES TO STOP THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THIS WAS A HOOD REPLACEMENT DONE LAST SPRING AFTER A DEER RAN ACROSS THE VEHICLE. THE LATCH HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS TRIP. ON THE WAY TO NEW JERSEY, MY SON NOTICED THAT THE HOOD PARTIALLY OPENED. HE STOPPED THE CAR AND MADE SURE THAT THE HOOD WAS TIGHTLY SHUT. THE SAME REPAIR SHOP IS INSTALLING ANOTHER HOOD AND REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO COLLISION INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE (SUBARU FORESTER 2003). MY TWO GRANDSONS WERE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT. MY SON'S FIANCEE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE ONLY CRASH WAS THE BREAKING OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE HOOD. *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