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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Subaru
  3. >Forester
  4. >2003
  5. >Powertrain

2003 Subaru Forester Powertrain Problems

Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2003 Subaru Forester has 8 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 1 powertrain-related recall.

Problem Areas for the 2003 Subaru Forester

Fuel System
30
Engine
29
Other
28
Suspension
20
Airbags
20
Speed Control
12
Structure
11
Brakes
10
Powertrain
8
Visibility
7
Steering
4
Electrical
3
Tires
3

8

Complaints

1

Recalls

0

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

Powertrain Recalls

02V282000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING...

All Powertrain Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Dec 29, 2004POWER TRAINWHEN AT A STOP BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES BROKE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SER...
Jun 9, 2004POWER TRAIN2002 SUBARU FORESTER - MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PERIODIC CLUTCH SHUDDER WHEN DRIVING.*AK
Sep 23, 2003POWER TRAINWHILE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL IT SHUT DOWN, THEN VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. *AK
Aug 7, 2003POWER TRAINMANUAL TRANSMISSION. CLUTCH SHUDDERS (CHATTERS) IN 1ST AND SOMETIMES 2ND GEAR. PROBLEM OCCURS AFTE...
Jul 30, 2003POWER TRAINCLUTCH CHATTER, 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. 18000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK
Mar 6, 2003POWER TRAINMANUAL CLUTCH CHATTERS. MAINLY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, ONLY AFTER SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (6-12 H...
Feb 1, 2003POWER TRAINTHE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V282000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR 4 DIFFERENT RE...
Jan 1, 1970POWER TRAINTHE HILL-HOLDER FEATURE ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIO ACTIVATES WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND U...

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2003 Subaru Forester Full Report→All Subaru Models→