2003 Subaru Forester
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 57 of 189 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 88 in 2002 to 189 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950–4,300 | 2,700–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18–21 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 25 | 19 / 25 | 19 / 24–25 | 16–19 / 21–25 | 17–20 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 423 | 423–494 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 139 | 88 | 189 | 219 | 93 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 31 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Subaru Forester?
Fuel System: 57 of 189 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 57 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 27 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 11V464000 · Sep 8, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 03V047000 · Feb 21, 2003
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 02V282000 · Oct 30, 2002
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.