Is the 2003 Subaru Forester a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Subaru Forester are in line with other Forester years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Forester owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 102,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 57 (30%) | 77k–136k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 29 (15%) | 56k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 22 (12%) | 100k–170k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 19 (10%) | 72k–144k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 25 (13%) | 38k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 15 (8%) | 28k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 102,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 189 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 9 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I had regular service done to my car at clay Subaru of norwood massachusetts. The representative stated that the mechanic noticed some oil seepage from the head gasket.
At cold temperatures, fuel leaking somewhere from vehicle, causing strong odor inside and out of cabin. Concerned that this amount of fuel could be hazardous to breathe and/or cause risk for fire.
My 2003 Subaru Forester - purchased new - currently has 55,000 miles on it. It was last serviced 3 months ago.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 102,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Subaru Forester: 3
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. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the seat occupant.
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. The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 69
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Subaru Forester. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines
DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models
Systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Front suspension control arm failure
Neighbouring years
2002 Forester: 88 complaints, keep it · 2004 Forester: 219 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Forester year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Forester years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Subaru Forester a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years. At 102,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (57), engine (29), suspension (22), body structure (19), air bags (25).
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 11V-464), Seat belts (NHTSA 03V-047), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 02V-282). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.