Model year guide

2003 Subaru forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Subaru forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 21 on record.

2003 Subaru forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Subaru forester at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints191
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,800

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Subaru forester recalls 3

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm NHTSA Campaign #11V464000 · 06/09/2011

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 JER…

Fix: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWN…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #02V282000 · 30/10/2002

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY W…

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #03V047000 · 20/02/2003

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE/LATCH ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Subaru forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2003 Subaru forester MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Subaru forester worth?

Low
$1,400
Typical price
$2,800
High
$4,300

From 21 comparable 2003 Subaru forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Subaru forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Fuel only$14,750
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Subaru forester trims & engines on record

Trims
awd x · awd xs · 2.5X · 2.5XS
Engines
2.5L

2003 Subaru forester vehicles on record

2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65603H747775 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63643H734661 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63653G767772 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63683H757232 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65663H717728 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63693H723431 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65683H705192 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65643H741543 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65693G702372 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63643H762752 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65663H741611 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63623H739082 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65653H742443 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63633G708431 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63623H704459 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63623H719107 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63623H728566 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65623H701784 2003 Subaru forester 2003 Subaru forester 2.5XSJF1SG65613H718172 2003 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63633H750768 2003 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63653H756314

Other Subaru forester model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2003 Subaru forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Subaru forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2003 Subaru forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru forester?

Based on 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, steering, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Subaru forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Subaru forester at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2003 Subaru forester worth?

Comparable 2003 Subaru forester listings run roughly $1,400–$4,300, typically around $2,800 (from 21 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.