2003 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Manual clutch chatters. Mainly 1st and 2nd gear, only after sitting for long periods of time (6-12 hrs). Started early, around 7,000 miles. First time I complained about it, Subaru said that I wasn't driving it properly. 3rd time I reported it (at 15,000 mi), Subaru acknowledged the problem and they are now going to replace the clutch. They said that they would not replace it with a heavier duty clutch so the problem may occur again.”
NHTSA complaint #10008519, filed 2003-03, 7,000 miles“Manual transmission. Clutch shudders (chatters) in 1st and sometimes 2nd gear. Problem occurs after car has not been used for a while (such as overnight), and especially in the morning. Car was bought used with 14,000 miles, and had this problem from when it was bought. Dealer replaced clutch assembly which appears to have remedied the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10033278, filed 2003-08, 14,300 miles“Clutch jitter; started immediately: clutch was replaced under warranty at 11,900 miles. Spoke with cousin in canada who bought the same car the same day. Already has replaced clutch once and is having trouble again with jitter. Vehicle stalls frequently upon cold start. Computer was removed from vehicle and sent back to factory to be recalibrated at 11,900.”
NHTSA complaint #10047507, filed 2003-11, 400 miles“When at a stop both the left and right front axles broke. This happened twice. When taken to get serviced consumer was told that it was due to the snap rings. Consumer has both axle assemblies.”
NHTSA complaint #10108982, filed 2005-03, 63,000 miles“The consumer received recall 02v282000. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer for 4 different repair appointments. On 3 different instances the service technician was not available once consumer arrived for appointment. One 1 occasion, consumer came in for saturday appointment and was told recall remedy could not been performed on saturday. Now, consumer will not be able to bring vehicle back for another 3 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10017140, filed 2003-04Related recalls
- 02V282000Oct 30, 2002Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod…Covers: Subaru Forester 2002–2003, Legacy 2001–2003, Outback 2001–2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10234261Dec 12, 2012Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Forester
57 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsBrakes
10 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