Recalls › Subaru › 2003 Forester
2003 Subaru Forester Recalls & Safety Report
The following open safety recalls are on record with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Recalls apply to specific VINs and build ranges. Check your VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Critical safety
Summary: 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 JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign # 11V464000 · Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · Reported: 2011-09-06 · Suspension
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Critical safety
Summary: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: 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 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA campaign # 03V047000 · Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · Reported: 2003-02-20 · Seats/Restraints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Critical safety
Summary: 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.
Risk: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA campaign # 02V282000 · Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · Reported: 2002-10-30 · Powertrain
Recall summary
This 2003 Subaru Forester has 3 open recalls on record with the U.S. NHTSA.
By affected component
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM — 1 recall
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY — 1 recall
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — 1 recall
By severity
- Critical safety — 3
Most recent recall reported: 2011-09-06.
Recall data is sourced from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have open recalls?
Yes — there are 3 open NHTSA safety recalls on record for the 2003 Subaru Forester. Recalls apply to specific VIN and build ranges, so check your exact VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
How do I check if a recall applies to my exact VIN?
This page lists recalls at the model level. Enter your 17-character VIN on our free VIN lookup to see which recalls apply to your specific car and to monitor it for new ones.
Who pays for a recall repair?
Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer for the affected make — the manufacturer covers the cost. Start by confirming your VIN is affected, then contact a dealer.
About this report
SaveVIN surfaces open recalls published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A model-level page lists every recall reported for the model; your specific VIN determines which apply to your car. Enter your VIN above for a VIN-precise report and to monitor it for new recalls.
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.