Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Subaru Forester

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 240 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V464000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
318,215
Reported to NHTSA
2011-09-06
Owners notified
2011-12-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V047000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
326
Reported to NHTSA
2003-02-20
Owners notified
2003-02-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V282000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
172,564
Reported to NHTSA
2002-10-30
Owners notified
2003-01-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline29100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system26133,000 mi
Air bags2063,450 mi
Suspension19122,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1555,000 mi
Engine12133,000 mi
Structure: body10130,538 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine955,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling878,000 mi
Unknown or other6104,000 mi
Structure: frame and members5120,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly47,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission48,000 mi
Steering4126,244 mi
Air bags: frontal359,287 mi
Equipment36,000 mi
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor315,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3137,700 mi
Tires320,076 mi
Visibility: windshield36,000 mi
Air bags: side/window259,287 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2220,251 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings246,762 mi
Latches/locks/linkages227,800 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seat belts: front227,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip212,000 mi
Structure2130,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm269,000 mi
Visibility/wiper231,500 mi
Wheels2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module137,000 mi
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system172,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel157,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition131,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module131,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch119,200 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: axle assembly163,000 mi
Seat belts125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components111,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder118,046 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing122,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor13,190 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls127,800 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices131,500 mi

The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.