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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2003 Subaru ForesterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 191 owner complaints for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (31) and fuel/propulsion system (26). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2011
Owner complaints
191
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 6, 2011NHTSA 11V464000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Feb 20, 2003NHTSA 03V047000

Power train: automatic transmission

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Oct 30, 2002NHTSA 02V282000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

191 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2002 – Aug 2025
  1. Fuel system, gasoline31
  2. Fuel/propulsion system26
  3. Air bags25
  4. Suspension22
  5. Engine and engine cooling20
  6. Structure19
  7. Vehicle speed control15
  8. Engine12
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forester model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998101
1999134
200075
2001142
200292
2003191
2004219
200593
200688
200774
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012106
201378
2014403
2015616
2016416
2017592
2018498
2019834
2020603
2021214
2022100
202374
202431
2025100
202634
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

31 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 25 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEIL HUFFMAN SUBARU DEALER LOCATED AT 4916 DIXIE HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216 WHO TIGHTEN AND RE-CLAMPED THE FUEL LINES BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *TT *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2017Fuel system, gasolineODI 11057291

Fuel/propulsion system

26 reports
“I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2021Steering, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11417380

Air bags

25 reports8 crashes
“MY MOTHER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & SHOT DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, THRU THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND LANDED IN THEIR BACKYARD. THE CAR JUST MISSED MY FATHER IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOUSE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE WHEN IT WENT THRU THE FRONT DOOR BASED ON THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DOOR & THE SKID MARKS ON THE TILE IN THE HALLWAY. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS MY MOTHER WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AT THE STORE & HIT ANOTHER CAR. AT THE TIME SHE THOUGHT THAT HER FOOT MUST HAVE SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE. MY FATHER DROVE IT A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT & SAID IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHILE HE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROX. 72,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2019Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11252119
All 2003 Forester problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Subaru Forester as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5005
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Forester questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Subaru Forester problems?

Owners filed 191 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (31), fuel/propulsion system (26), air bags (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Subaru Forester get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Subaru Forester at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026