Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Subaru Forester, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline31
- Fuel/propulsion system26
- Air bags25
- Suspension22
- Structure19
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Vehicle speed control15
- Engine12
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Power train9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 24 2003 Forester vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 17 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Subaru Forester failed the safety check 2.35% of the time — 12% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 148,054 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Subaru Forester cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp) and 2.0 petrol (130 kW, 174 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 335 |
| 2.0 petrol | 130 kW 174 hp | 142 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
485 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 8% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde273
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld141
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse132
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk128
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt126
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)126
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect103
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen103
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
404 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 413 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 739 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 60% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 19.8% | 16.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.1% | 21.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.1% | 7.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| Visibility | 8.1% | 7.7% |
| Brakes | 7.6% | 13.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
70 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 289,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
357 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 47% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.1–11.2 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 255–258 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 9.6 | 11.1 |
| Forester AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.4 | 11.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Subaru Forester.
| 2011344 19 Sept 2011 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the front lower control arms could corrode due to exposure to humid environments and road de-icing chemicals. Over time, corrosion could p… |
| 2003054 4 Mar 2003 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the seat belt tongue plate may become disengaged with the seat belt buckle latch with a force less than the value specified in CMVSS 209. … |
| 2002200 5 Nov 2002 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the parking pawl actuating rod ("parking rod") spring retainer may be defective. The parking pawl ma… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2003 Subaru Forester: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 638141 | SUBJECT REGARDING TECHTIPS - A SUBARU SERVICE / TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - SPECIAL EDITION FORESTER. *TT |
| 631748 | SUBJECT REGARDING AUTO DIMMING ELECTROCHROMIC COMPASS MIRROR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE. *SLC |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
| 11006935 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles. |
| 11006934 | The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site. |
| 11006932 | This Service Information Bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when the Data Communication Module (DCM) is being tested as a dark current/standby current source. |
| 11006931 | This Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16. |
| 11005624 | This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available. |
| 11005615 | This announcement provides information for retailers to install the latest infotainment system software for Denso CP 1.5. |
| 11005614 | This bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when testing the Data Communication Module (DCM) as a dark current/standby current source. All models equipped with Telematics except Solterra. |
| 11005609 | This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program. |
| 11005608 | This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve. |
| 11005599 | This Bulletin provides SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion for 2025 MY vehicles. |
| 11005595 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11005593 | This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation