2003 Subaru Forester fuel system, gasoline problems
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel system, gasoline on the 2003 Subaru Forester — 16% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle during cold weather, an odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The failure would only occur in temperatures below 25 degrees. The vehicle was taken to neil huffman subaru dealer located at 4916…”
filed Dec 29, 2017
“In very cold temperatures the interior of my vehicle is overcome with fuel fumes. It happens at idle and low speeds, does go away once we are driving for a few minutes over 30 mph. It is so bad we had to drive with windows open in 5 degree weather. Definitely coming in through the heat vents…”
filed Jan 9, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel System, Gasoline problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 Forester | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 Forester | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 Forester | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 Forester | 6 | 1% |
| 2012 Forester | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 Forester | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 Forester | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 Forester | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 Forester | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 Forester | 6 | 8% |
| 2006 Forester | 5 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.