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WheelsPart report

2003 Subaru Forester Wheels Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
1%of 189 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the wheels of the 2003 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 189 complaints for this model year.

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.

“I purchased a Subaru forrester with 38 k miles in august. During the thanksgiving holiday, I noticed a rubbing noise, consistent and louder while turning in the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Warranty from the dealership only lasted one thousand miles and they told me tough luck. A friend who is a Subaru guy told me I had a bad bearing, and to be careful, it was a common problem that could get worse quick. It did, and I have had my vehicle parked for the past few weeks as the noise loud one day and the wheel was actually loose. …”

NHTSA complaint #10297928, filed 2010-01

“Have had to replace left front wheel bearing four times in the last six months. Each time, it was stated by the mechanic to be a faulty wheel bearing, but because of the number of instances, a question has been raised of possible other source.”

NHTSA complaint #10502241, filed 2013-03

Related service bulletins

Wheels: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202544%
202413%
202222%
202110%
202010%
201961%
201861%
2017132%
2016174%
2015203%
2014113%
201233%
201042%
200921%
200812%
200633%
200522%
200431%
200321%
200211%
200175%
199943%

Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Forester

Fuel system
57 complaints
Air bags
25 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Engine cooling
19 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Engine
12 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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