Subaru Forester
2003 only
2003 Subaru Forester have 145 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 1 recall. The most common issue in this year is Tank, lines and filler, typically surfacing around 102,500 miles.
Computed directly from stored federal records for 2003 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Subaru Forester report for every year combined.
Where this year fits
What breaks, and when — 2003 only
Median onset: 102,500 miles.
More common in older model years.
Median onset: 126,244 miles. 9.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$700 nationally.
Median onset: 137,700 miles.
Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.
Median onset: 87,300 miles. 38.5% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in newer model years.
Median onset: 117,285 miles.
More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $1,620–$3,010 nationally.
Median onset: 77,000 miles. 16.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in older model years.
Median onset: 90,750 miles.
More common in newer model years.
Onset mileage not consistently reported.
Typical repair: $340–$640 nationally.
From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.
Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?
Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2003 model year. See the full Subaru Forester report for every year and full specs/safety data.