2003 Subaru Forester engine problems
The 2003 Subaru Forester has 31 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
31
Engine complaints
13%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE STRIKING A DEER AT THIS SPEED SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SOMETIMES WOULD REMAIN ON, BUT MOSTLY IT WAS OFF. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THROUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IS IT GOING…”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Forester engine — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.