Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2003 Subaru forester has 3 recalls, 191 complaints.
3
Recalls
191
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
11V464000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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...
02V282000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING...
03V047000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE LEFT AND RI...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2003 Subaru Forester 4-DR. w/SAB
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I bought a used vehicle and looked at it and they erased the codes I saw then erased it then I confr... |
| May 23, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while investig... |
| Aug 17, 2022 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Su... |
| Feb 11, 2022 | SUSPENSION | The 2003 Subaru Forester Sub Frame is rusted. I live in Illinois. |
| Dec 30, 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm complete... |
| May 11, 2021 | STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sw... |
| Feb 8, 2021 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW ABOUT 20-30 F), THE VEHICLE GIVES OFF A STRONG GASOLINE ... |
| Feb 8, 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN A MANNER WHICH CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. A... |
| Feb 1, 2021 | EQUIPMENT | I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROPOSED RECALL REMEDY FOR NHTSA ID: 21E002000 . THE NOTICE SAYS, "N... |
| Nov 8, 2020 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER W... |
| Oct 9, 2020 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the c... |
| Aug 9, 2019 | AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | MY MOTHER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & SHOT DOWN THE DRIVEWA... |
| Apr 5, 2019 | STRUCTURE | FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RUSTS AWAY CAUSING FAILURE. COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ... |
| Oct 20, 2018 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ... |
| Aug 10, 2018 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLE... |
| Mar 13, 2018 | SUSPENSION | THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AT THE WELD SEAM WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ... |
| Jan 5, 2018 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL LINES AROUND THE ENGINE WHEN IT'S COLD. |
| Dec 23, 2017 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDER 20 DEGREE TEMPS, SMELLS STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WH... |
| May 26, 2017 | SUSPENSION | VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY RECALLED IN 2011/2012 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 NHTSA ACTION NU... |
| Apr 28, 2017 | STEERING | DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH... |