2003 Subaru Forester Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 Forester most often write about a raw gasoline smell in the cabin that appears in cold weather, and about rust in the front lower control arms and subframe. Coolant and oil leaks attributed to head gaskets, airbag warning lights that come on, and occasional reports of unexpected acceleration or cruise control that will not disengage also come up. Many complaints are filed well past 90,000 miles, though the cold-weather fuel odor and the airbag light are reported at lower mileage as well.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell in cabin in cold weather

   • 58 complaints (31%)
   • median 102,500 mi at 11.2 yrs old (54 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners describe a strong raw gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle when outside temperatures drop near or below freezing, sometimes with visible smoke under the hood. Several say the smell fades once the car warms up, and mechanics have attributed it to fuel lines or hoses that contract in the cold. Complaints describe dealers tightening clamps, being unable to locate a leak, or quoting replacement of the fuel lines. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 170,000 miles, almost always in cold weather below about 20-40 degrees.

   What to check: On a cold morning, start the car and smell inside the cabin and around the engine bay before it warms up; ask whether fuel lines or hoses have been replaced and keep records of any service for this odor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Started and drove vehicle approx. 1 mile in 20 degree weather when I began to smell an extremely strong raw gasoline odor. The passenger compartment was inundated with the odor. I checked for leaks but did not see any(it was at night). I slowly drove home with my passenger-side windows open. Haven't driven the vehicle since....”

   NHTSA complaint #10494578, filed 2013-01, 75,000 miles

   “When I start my 2003 Subaru Forester in very cold weather there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin of the car coming through the vents. I know that NHTSA issued a TSB on 2002-2004 Subaru wxt models but did not include the Forester, outback, and legacy of those years, why? It is the same fuel propulsion layout and the rubber hose connection at the steel line is where the leak happens in cold weather. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10561792, filed 2014-01, 77,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rusted front lower control arms and subframe

   • 30 complaints (16%)
   • median 126,244 mi at 12.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2023

   Complaints describe front lower control arms (transverse links) and the subframe or cradle rusting through, often found during tire service or inspection, and in some cases a control arm fracturing or a wheel detaching while driving. Owners say dealers inspected or coated the arms under a recall but declined to cover subframe corrosion, and several report the arms failed a punch test years after being treated. Typically reported between about 90,000 and 190,000 miles, mostly on older vehicles in areas where road salt is used.

   Recall 11V4640002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the underside inspected on a lift, paying attention to the front lower control arms and the subframe around the hanger brackets, and ask whether recall 11V464000 was performed and what was found.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at 55 MPH when my right front control arm snapped. I looked to ensure no vehicles were coming, and made the decision to turn left to get back on the road with all four tires as I could only turn left. I could not control the vehicle, and the vehicle turned side ways and then rolled three consecutive times landing on its wheels facing south. I was transported to the hospital . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10617956, filed 2014-07, 126,244 miles

   “I had my vehicle serviced at ramsey Subaru and was told the front sub frame is rusted and needs to be repaired. It seems more like the thin cheap metal is the problem. This is a big safety problem and they told me the warranty is only good for 5 years.”

   NHTSA complaint #10558036, filed 2013-12, 136,934 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant and oil leaks at the head gaskets

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,900 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2021

   Owners report coolant loss with a sweet antifreeze smell, coolant spots on the ground, or oil seeping from the head gasket area, sometimes with overheating and smoke. Several say the repair was diagnosed as head gaskets and quote costs in the range of a major engine job; others mention oil use between changes. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 135,000 miles, sometimes noticed first as an odor after the engine is shut off.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining at the head gasket seams and under the engine, and ask whether the head gaskets or timing belt have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noticed anti-freeze odor after vehicle had been run and turned off. Did not see any leaks. Problem continued several weeks before noticing several leak spots on garage floor, so made appointment with mechanic who knew immediately it was a head gasket problem. We purchased the car new in october, 2002 and have maintained it according to the maintenance schedules. The vehicle had 52,000 miles on it when we spent $1300 to repair a problem that Subaru of america knew about and has known about for some time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10228226, filed 2008-05, 52,047 miles

   “My 2003 Subaru Forester - purchased new - currently has 55,000 miles on it. It was last serviced 3 months ago. At that time, nothing was mentioned about coolant problems or leaks. Last week, on the turnpike, the RPM needle started swinging wildly and I lost power. I managed to get to the shoulder of the turnpike and shut down and by that time smoke was pouring out from the engine. The problem diagnosed is that the coolant had leaked at the head gaskets - a problem that I am now learning Subaru has known about for some time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10281824, filed 2009-08, 55,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration and cruise control not disengaging

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 71,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2019

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating on its own while braking, parking, or backing out, and in one case a throttle plate reported stuck open. Others report cruise control failing to cancel with the switch or the brake pedal. Dealers in some cases could not determine a cause. Reported from very low mileage up to about 90,000 miles, in varied driving situations including low-speed parking maneuvers.

   What to check: Test the throttle and cruise control cancel functions on a test drive, including brake-pedal cancel, and ask whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While parking at the office, the car suddenly accelerated. I was able to stop it by braking hard. There was no rug obstructing the accelerator or brakes. I ware a size 7 shoe, therefore there is no possibility of pressing both pedals at the same time. It was scary.”

   NHTSA complaint #10470754, filed 2012-08, 55,000 miles

   “On monday, february 22, 2010, I had an incident of unintended acceleration on pooks hill road and wisconsin avenue. I was stopping for a red light when I put on the brakes and the car accelerated instead of slowing and stopping. To avoid hitting the car in front of me, I swerved instead to my right into a snow bank. It was approximately 2:45 p.m. I was driving a Subaru Forester all wheel drive 2003 vehicle. Despite the all wheel drive, I could not get out of the icy snow bank and had to be towed out by aaa. It was a frightening experience. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10314538, filed 2010-02, 82,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on

   • 25 complaints (13%)
   • median 59,287 mi at 6.8 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2019

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light staying on, with dealers pointing to corroded or broken wiring in the passenger-side harness or under the front seats. Owners also report airbags not deploying in impacts they felt should have triggered them, and some say the harness repair was quoted outside warranty coverage. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 90,000 miles.

   Recall 03V0470002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the key to the run position and confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check; ask whether any airbag harness or connector repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air bag warning light on my Subaru Forester is on yet again. It has done this several times. In reading online there are wired brought together at a connector that when both ends are pushed together then the airbag warning light will go out. Just using google online to search I have come across dozens of complaints. As this is a vehicle safety component, Subaru should repair this at no cost. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10555207, filed 2013-12, 45,568 miles

   “Air bag light has been on for about a month. It went out once for a bit but has been on since. I had one service dept. Say the problem was in the passenger side air bag sensor. Ths Subaru dealership said it was the air bag sensors under front seats.- caused by changing the position of the seats freqently and made the wires break. I have 88.000 miles on my car. I am the only driver so I do not change my seat position often. There was nothing noted at time of purchase about limiting change of seat position. This is actually rediculos. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10405578, filed 2011-06, 87,300 miles

Buying note. Have any 2003 Forester inspected underneath for control arm and subframe corrosion, and confirm whether recall 11V464000 was completed, since rust is the most common structural concern in these complaints. Also check for a fuel smell on a cold start and confirm the airbag light behaves normally before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.