Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2003 Subaru Forester: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
22 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V464000.
20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V282000.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V047000.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 30, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 172,564 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 326 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on September 6, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 318,215 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Front suspension control arm failure. Resulted in recall campaign 11V464000.
Front suspension control arm failure. Resulted in recall campaign 11V464000.
Front suspension control arm failure. Resulted in recall campaign 11V464000.
Front suspension control arm failure. Resulted in recall campaign 11V464000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.