2003 Subaru Forester fuel/propulsion system problems
26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2003 Subaru Forester — 14% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed May 17, 2021
“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 8, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 11 | 13% |
| 2023 Forester | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 Forester | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 Forester | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 Forester | 22 | 3% |
| 2018 Forester | 18 | 4% |
| 2017 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 Forester | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 Forester | 55 | 9% |
| 2014 Forester | 15 | 4% |
| 2013 Forester | 2 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.