2003 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 12%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Subaru Forester, 12% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Upon changing the oil in my 2003 Subaru Forester I noticed that my sub frame is totally rotted out. I don't know how my car has even stayed together its so bad. I looked the problem up online and I found that it is a major issue with Subaru cars. I called Subaru to see if they could help to get it fixed and they said its a cosmetic issue and they will not help me. But they did say they will offer me $500 towards the purchase of a new Subaru. I asked if they will apply the $500 to fixing my current Subaru and he told me no. …”
NHTSA complaint #10632518, filed 2014-09, 157,000 miles“Today I was at my mechanics to replace a muffler. After raising the car up on the rack he noticed destructive rust that was covering and inundating the k frame and front lower control arms (transverse links). In september of 2012 I was at gary lang Subaru (illinois) for an unrelated issue. The safety recall for my vehicle , wvx-34, required an inspection and repairs, and if necessary, replacement or corrosion treatment of the lower control arms (transverse link). According to Subaru of america, that recall was completed . The Subaru operator (kayla) could not elaborate on the term complete . …”
NHTSA complaint #10760826, filed 2015-09, 132,819 miles“Vehicle was originally recalled in 2011/2012 for NHTSA campaign id number: 11v464000 NHTSA action number: pe11011. At time, dealer conducted punch test and determined lower control arm to pass and used some type of anti-corrosion spray. Fast forward to 2017 and lower control arms have failed punch test with significant corrosion. I only detected this failed, and potentially life threatening condition of vehicle, by personally inspecting under carriage prior to giving vehicle to 16 year-old son as first car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10992972, filed 2017-06, 115,000 miles“The passenger side front lower control arm separated at the weld seam while my daughter was driving the car. The passenger side front tire swung rearward and outward because the front portion of the lower control arm separated from the rest of the control arm. This pulled the car off the road but luckily she was traveling at a slow speed on a side road on her way to get on the interstate and was able to get the car stopped before crashing. Had this happened at any normal road speed she would likely have died from a complete loss of control of the car at a high rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11081121, filed 2018-03, 190,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V464000Sep 6, 2011Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from…Covers: Subaru Forester 2003–2008, Impreza 2002–2007, Saab 9-2X 2005–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
- 10199955Jul 26, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles listed, may have been manufactured with front lower control arms (transverse links) that could corrode in the…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 3% |
| 2015 | 66 | 11% |
| 2014 | 94 | 23% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 22% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 12 | 14% |
| 2005 | 21 | 23% |
| 2004 | 25 | 11% |
| 2003 | 22 | 12% |
| 2002 | 9 | 10% |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% |
| 2000 | 19 | 25% |
| 1999 | 25 | 19% |
| 1998 | 17 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Forester
57 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology