2003 Subaru Forester vs 2003 Volvo XC90
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Subaru Forester | 2003 Volvo XC90 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 189 | 93 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 142 | 239 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 17 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 16–18 |
| Median reported mileage | 90,000 mi | 74,650 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Volvo XC90 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 | 49 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 | 6 |
| Suspension | 22 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 26 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 19 | 7 |
| Structure | 19 | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 18 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 27 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 14 | 0 |
| Stalling | 11 | 5 |
2003 Subaru Forester
2003 Volvo XC90
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Volvo XC90 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.