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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 11, 2006
2003 SUBARU FORESTER PURCHASED MAY 2003 1. BRAKES DID NOT FEEL CORRECT - LOW BRAKE PEDAL 2. MADE APPOINTMENT AT AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER FOR BRAKES TO BE CHECKED 3. AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER PERSON SAID THAT OUR MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLE MILEAGE - 18046 - AND EVEN THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36 MONTHS MAXIMUM), THEY CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU BUT SUBARU SAID SEEING THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD, SUBARU WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE PART OR REPAIR. 4. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SO AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER PURCHASED THE PARTS NEEDED (1- MASTER CYLINDER, 2 WHEEL CYLINDERS) AND REPLACED THEM. WE ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED THE OLD PARTS. 5. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER MANY YEARS AND NEVER HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A MASTER CYLINDER EVEN THOUGH THE MILEAGE DRIVEN ON THE CARS WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN 18046 ON THE SUBARU. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PINING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. THE NOISE STOPPED AFTER TWO MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTING TO REPLACE THE PISTONS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 28, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MISS THE DEER; THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HIT A DOUBLE POST HEAD ON, THEN SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND STOOD ON ITS NOSE. IT THEN FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, ROLLED ONTO ITS TOP AND THEN RESTED ON ITS WHEELS. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE, BUT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONSULTED. *AK
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
Equipment, May 13, 2005
PROBLEMS WITH FUSES ON THE 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED A BLOWN FUSE AND THAT THE CONTROL OF HER REAR VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING FUSE #4, THE LABEL AND MANUAL STATED "2003 FORESTER MANUAL" A8070BE/MSA5M0304A-PAGE 12-6) DIFFERED IN AMPERAGE FOR NOT ONLY THE #4 BUT ALSO #8 (ABS SOLENOID). THE CONSUMER PROMPTLY CHANGED THE FUSES TO 20 AMPS EACH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUAL WAS WRONG AND THAT THE LABEL WAS RIGHT. THE CONSUMER PROMPTLY CHANGED BACK TO THE 15 AND 30 AMP FUSES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED CLARIFICATION IN WRITING FROM SUBARU ABOUT THE PROPER AMPERAGE AND OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME MANUAL. *SC
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
Power train, Mar 2, 2005
WHEN AT A STOP BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES BROKE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE SNAP RINGS.*AK CONSUMER HAS BOTH AXLE ASSEMBLIES. *TT
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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 2, 2005
NOTICED PINGING NOISE FROM ENGINE. SUBARU REPLACED BLOCK. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, HAD PINGING NOISE AGAIN, AND CAR WAS STALLING AFTER COLD NIGHT, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. SUBARU SAID THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ANY PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE A FEELING I'LL BE GETTING ANOTHER BLOCK IN A YEAR OR SO.*AK
Visibility, Jan 9, 2005
THE WINDSHIELD HAS REQUIRED THREE REPLACEMENT SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. THE FIRST TWO REPLACEMENTS RESULTED IN NOISE EMANATING FROM THE TOP-CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD INVOLVED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE RESULT SO FAR HAS BEEN POSITIVE. ALTHOUGH, IN ORDER FOR THE INSTALLER TO INSURE THAT THE NOISE WAS HALTED, HE HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE WHEN SETTING THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS USE A HIGH PERFORMANCE SEALANT. THE RESULT OF THESE PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN THE NEXT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY, TO BE A DIFFICULT ONE AND WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE NOISE WILL NOT COME BACK! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 23, 2004
ROTOR PREMATURELY WORN. CAR WAS PURCHASED 10/03. ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE TURNED TWICE SINCE PURCHASE DATE. *JB
Air bags, Nov 5, 2004
WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RECLINED THE CAR SEAT PINCHES THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE VOLTAGE THAT OPERATES THE AIR BAGS. WHEN THE CABLE IS PINCHED IT DEACTIVATES THE AIR BAGS, PREVENTING THEM FROM DEPLOYING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS ASKING $600.00 FOR REPAIRS OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK
Visibility, Oct 8, 2004
THE CONSUMER HIT HER GARAGE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE BREAKING THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. HOWEVER, WHEN THE GLASS BROKE, IT BROKE INTO PIECES AND DID NOT DISINTEGRATE. THE GLASS COMPANY CAME OUT AND EXPLAINED TO HER THAT THE GLASS HAD NOT GONE THROUGH THE PROPER PROCESSING, AND THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Child seat, Oct 6, 2004
UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT ADJUSTOR STRAP. HOWEVER, BRITAX DID NOT SEND THE REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER MADE ANOTHER CALL TO BRITAX, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SHE EVER CALLED. SAFETY SEAT INFORMATION: MARATHON, SERIAL# E9L06057760, BATCH#503780, MANUFACTURED IN 03-17-03. *AK
Visibility, Sep 13, 2004
DEALERSHIP REPLACED THREE TIMES THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO CRACKS. *AK
Power train, Jul 9, 2004
2002 SUBARU FORESTER - MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PERIODIC CLUTCH SHUDDER WHEN DRIVING.*AK
Equipment, Jul 6, 2004
KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE BECAME INOPERATIVE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED 80 TO 90% OF THE TIME THE KEYLESS DID NOT WORK. THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE WITH AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE SECOND SYSTEM HAS ONLY FAILED ONCE. *JB *SC
Tires, Jun 30, 2004
TIRE EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. NO ACCIDENT ENTAILED. TIRE SHOWS GOOD TREAD LEFT, AND NO APPARENT SOURCE OF PUNCTURE, HITTING ROAD HAZARD OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. TIRE WILL BE REPLACED . TIRE WAS STOCK ON NEW (2003 SUBARU FORESTER) VEHICLE WITH APPROX 20,000 MILES. TIRE IS A YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 900, P215/60R 94H WITH SERIAL NUMBER ON IT: C6288U-16. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE SAME TYPE. WONDERING IF ANY DEFECTS LED TO FAILURE?*AK
Visibility, Equipment, Jun 14, 2004
A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN 5 MIN THERE WAS A CRACK ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOTTOMOF THE GLASS, RADIATING DOWN INTO THE HEATING ELEMENT. $975. NE YEAR LATER, ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER CRACK RESULTED IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION. IS THERE A FLAW IN THE SUBARU GLASS? I WILL HAVE THIS ONE REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET GLASS WITHOUT THE HEATING ELEMENT. $632 . *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2004
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 15,000 MILES. CONSUMER STATED THAT 2,000 MILES LATER THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Visibility, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2003
THIS VEHICLE POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD ONE KEY HOLE, BUT HAD FIVE DOORS, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR/KEY HOLE. ONCE THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE VEHICLE A LOCK PAD ON THE DOOR ALLOWED FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE OTHER DOORS, OR A KEY REMOTE. THE CONSUMER'S LOCK PAD ALSO DIDN'T WORK TEMPORARILY SO THE CONSUMER COULDN'T OPEN THE HATCH. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEMS. *JB THE REMOTE ENTRY DEVICE DID NOT WORK TEMPORARILY SO THE CONSUMER HAD TO GAIN ACCESS WITH THE KEY TO THE ONLY HOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, BUT THEN THE POWER LOCKS FAILED SO THE CONSUMER HAD NO WAY TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THERE WAS NO RELEASE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND NEEDED A NEW HARNESS TO RE-FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN OWNERSHIP. *SCC THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOWS *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 24, 2003
CLUTCH JITTER; STARTED IMMEDIATELY: CLUTCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 11,900 MILES. SPOKE WITH COUSIN IN CANADA WHO BOUGHT THE SAME CAR THE SAME DAY. ALREADY HAS REPLACED CLUTCH ONCE AND IS HAVING TROUBLE AGAIN WITH JITTER. VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY UPON COLD START. COMPUTER WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE AND SENT BACK TO FACTORY TO BE RECALIBRATED AT 11,900. *LA
Air bags, Sep 30, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 29, 2003
HAD STARTED TO BRAKE IN ORDER SLOW DOWN VEHICLE AND FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP CONCERNING BRAKES. PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK
Power train, Sep 24, 2003
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL IT SHUT DOWN, THEN VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. *AK