2003 Subaru Forester recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns naming the 2003 Subaru Forester. Last verified Sep 13, 2026. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
189 owner complaints — full 2003 Subaru Forester problems & reliability report →
Units are totals reported across campaigns mentioning this model — NHTSA does not always break unit counts down by model.
Affected components
Nearby model years
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Campaigns
- Sep 6, 2011Crash risk2005–2006 Saab 9-2X, 2003–2008 Subaru Forester, 2002–2007 Subaru Impreza — Suspension
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
11V464000 · 318K units · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Feb 20, 2003Crash risk2003 Subaru Forester — Seat Belts
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE/LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
03V047000 · 326 units · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Oct 30, 2002Crash risk2003 Subaru Baja, 2002–2003 Subaru Forester, 2002–2003 Subaru Impreza and 2 other models — Power Train
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
02V282000 · 173K units · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.