Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Subaru forester has 29 NHTSA engine complaints and 0 engine-related recalls.
29
Complaints
0
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ... |
| Dec 30, 2014 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | A RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING TWO METAL GAS LINES HAS STARTED TO LEAK. THIS IS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. S... |
| Dec 1, 2014 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | ON WINTER DAYS, WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE NOT UNUSUALLY LOW FOR A NORTHERN STATE, THE FUEL LINES ON THE... |
| Sep 27, 2014 | ENGINE | WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE BACK WINDOW HAD... |
| May 1, 2014 | ENGINE | WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND MAINTAINED IT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. H... |
| Jan 13, 2014 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN RIGHT AFTER STARTUP AND THROUGHOUT SHORT TRIPS, ESPECIALLY... |
| Nov 25, 2013 | ENGINE | UPON STARTING AND RUNNING THE VEHICLE IN TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING (32 DEGREES F), THE FUEL LINES ... |
| Feb 13, 2013 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | AT COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKING SOMEWHERE FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING STRONG ODOR INSIDE AND OUT OF CAB... |
| Jan 24, 2013 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | STARTED AND DROVE VEHICLE APPROX. 1 MILE IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL AN EXTREMELY STR... |
| Jul 2, 2012 | ENGINE | AS I WAS DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME - IT IS NOW ON CONTINUOUSLY DUE T... |
| Mar 9, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2003 SUBARU FORESTER ~114K MILES. DURING PASSING (~70 MPH)ENGINE HAS STALLED 2X IN PAST WEEK. AFTE... |
| Nov 22, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS | FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE STRIKING A DEER AT THIS SPEED SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG ... |
| Aug 21, 2009 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER - PURCHASED NEW - CURRENTLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED 3 ... |
| Feb 19, 2009 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | I PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER XS IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT NOW DEFUNCT SUBAR... |
| Oct 11, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | I HAD REGULAR SERVICE DONE TO MY CAR AT CLAY SUBARU OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS. THE REPRESENTATIVE ST... |
| May 14, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ODOR AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUN AND TURNED OFF. DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS. PROBLEM... |
| Mar 3, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2003 SUBARU FORESTER PROBLEMS WITH CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET ... |
| Dec 15, 2007 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | EXHAUST/FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR CAB DURING USE IN COLD WEATHER/ USE OF HEATER IN 2003 SUBARU FORESTER... |
| Nov 15, 2007 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. IT GETS SO BAD AT TIMES THAT IT CAUSES IRRI... |
| Jun 29, 2007 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | LATCHES ON THE FORRESTER CANNOT BE OPENED UNLESS YOU HAVE A KEY FOB. THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THE ... |