2003 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

The 2003 Subaru Forester has 3 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

189

Crashes / fires

17 / 0

Injuries / deaths

9 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Subaru Forester vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Subaru Forester recalls

Recall 11V-464: Suspension

Reported Sep 6, 2011 · 318,215 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-047: Seat Belts

Reported Feb 20, 2003 · 326 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-282: Power Train

Reported Oct 30, 2002 · 172,564 vehicles affected · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2003 Subaru Forester problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Fuel System, Gasoline	31
Air Bags	26
Fuel/Propulsion System	26
Suspension	22
Structure	20
Engine and Engine Cooling	19
Vehicle Speed Control	15
Engine	12
Power Train	11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	11
Visibility	7
Unknown or Other	5

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 10
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 9
Structure › Frame and Members — 5
Power Train › Manual Transmission — 4
Power Train › Clutch Assembly — 4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 3
Visibility › Windshield — 3
Air Bags › Frontal — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 90,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Subaru Forester complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Aug 23, 2025

I bought a used vehicle and looked at it and they erased the codes I saw then erased it then I confronted them and was told nothing is wrong with the vehicle after telling them there is a recall on the suspension. Went to go get a alignment and was told it's severely unsafe to drive and the subframe is about to snap! The mechanic gave me photos and a report to return it imatelt but the used car lot said well u had every chance and I did it the mechanical stuff checked but the car place said everything is in good condition!

Electrical System · at 220,251 miles · reported May 23, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while investigating the vehicle mileage at [XXX] , it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 21,084; however, the contact later discovered that on July 20, 2022, the mileage was 220,251. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Suspension · at 117,000 miles · reported Dec 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the contact became aware that the power steering was not functioning properly. After a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, the contact observed that the passengerâs side wheel appeared to have detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the frame rail, stabilizer, and lower control arm. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the lower…

Suspension · at 105,000 miles · reported Aug 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed but nothing was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the lower control arm cracked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure…

Suspension · reported Dec 31, 2021

Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm completely rusted in half. It occurred while parking vehicle, fortunately not driving at high speed. The recall was previously completed by Subaru dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2011. According to service records, they had been treated with anti-corrosion coating... I purchased the vehicle from a family member of the original owner, weeks ago, December 2021. It had been serviced regularly by the dealership and now has 162,000 miles. This structural failure of the lower control arm could have been…

Other Subaru Forester years

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Compare all Subaru Forester years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Subaru Forester: 11V-464 (suspension), 03V-047 (seat belts), 02V-282 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Subaru Forester?

Owners report fuel system, gasoline problems most often (31 reports), followed by air bags (26). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 90,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.