2003 Subaru Forester problems

Filed Aug 23, 2025 · ID

I bought a used vehicle and looked at it and they erased the codes I saw then erased it then I confronted them and was told nothing is wrong with the vehicle after telling them there is a recall on the suspension. Went to go get a alignment and was told it's severely unsafe to drive and the subframe is about to snap! The mechanic gave me photos and a report to return it imatelt but the used car lot said well u had every chance and I did it the mechanical stuff checked but the car place said everything is in good condition!

Filed May 23, 2025 · Electrical · 220,251 miles · MO

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while investigating the vehicle mileage at [XXX] , it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 21,084; however, the contact later discovered that on July 20, 2022, the mileage was 220,251. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 7, 2023 · Suspension · 117,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the contact became aware that the power steering was not functioning properly. After a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, the contact observed that the passenger’s side wheel appeared to have detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the frame rail, stabilizer, and lower control arm. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the lower control arm had fractured from the frame. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired in 2018. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed but nothing was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the lower control arm cracked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2022 · Suspension · IL

The 2003 Subaru Forester Sub Frame is rusted. I live in Illinois.

Filed Dec 31, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · MI

Safety Recall: WVX34 the federal safety agency Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm completely rusted in half. It occurred while parking vehicle, fortunately not driving at high speed. The recall was previously completed by Subaru dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2011. According to service records, they had been treated with anti-corrosion coating... I purchased the vehicle from a family member of the original owner, weeks ago, December 2021. It had been serviced regularly by the dealership and now has 162,000 miles. This structural failure of the lower control arm could have been extremely disastrous if driving at speed on the road or highway! I contacted my local dealership in Traverse City, MI, and was told by the service advisor the recall had been completed and would not be covered again for subsequent replacement. My vehicle is undrivable and Subaru is not standing behind their parts or workmanship.

Filed May 17, 2021 · Fuel system, Steering · WA · 1 injury

I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · Engine · 133,000 miles · MN

The head gasket failed in a manner which caused engine oil to leak onto the hot exhaust manifold. A strong burning odor is present after the engine warms up completely.

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 133,000 miles · MN

When ambient air temperature is cold (below about 20-30 f), the vehicle gives off a strong gasoline smell. This is caused by the fuel rail contracting to the point that some fuel is sprayed onto the engine compartment. Obviously, this is a fire risk.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · NY

I have a complaint about the proposed recall remedy for the federal safety agency id: 21e002000 . The notice says, "ningbo will notify distributors, and owners, and will replace the bulb with halogen bulbs, free of charge." this offered replacement of their defective LED bulb with a halogen bulb is not an acceptable recall remedy because LED bulbs are far superior to halogen bulbs. Especially LED bulbs last much longer and drain much less power from the car's electrical system than halogen bulbs. I originally bought their LED bulbs because of these advantages and replacing them with inferior halogen bulbs defeats the purpose of having bought LED bulbs to begin with.