2003 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- 14
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 14 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- lower control · 12 records
- control arms · 9 records
- passenger side · 6 records
- front lower · 5 records
- repaired notified · 5 records
- independent mechanic · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 65 mph, there was an abnormal noise which emitted from the passenger's side front suspension of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle became uncontrollable, going from the right lane to the extreme left lane, down an embankment into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that there was no other vehicle…
Crash reported
ODI 11144642
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact noticed extensive rust, corrosion, and holes around the front frame of the vehicle. An independent mechanic replaced the front frame, and the passenger and driver side control arms. In addition, the rear frame and driver and passenger side control arms were also inspected with the expectation that those parts had also deteriorated and may need to be replaced.…
ODI 11120592
Suspension
The passenger side front lower control arm separated at the weld seam while my daughter was driving the car. The passenger side front tire swung rearward and outward because the front portion of the lower control arm separated from the rest of the control arm. This pulled the car off the road but luckily she was traveling at a slow speed on a side road on her way to get on the interstate and was able to get the car…
ODI 11081121
Suspension
Vehicle was originally recalled in 2011/2012 for nhtsa campaign id number: 11v464000 nhtsa action number: pe11011. At time, dealer conducted punch test and determined lower control arm to "pass" and used some type of anti-corrosion spray. Fast forward to 2017 and lower control arms have "failed" punch test with significant corrosion. I only detected this failed, and potentially life threatening condition of vehicle,…
ODI 10992972
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. While driving at a low speed, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact found no damage. Upon re-entering the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front lower control arm was fractured. In addition,…
ODI 10965952
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. While attempting to reverse at 5 mph, the vehicle failed to move. The contact discovered that the front lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10915550
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the contact was notified that the front suspension had severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the lower control arms was corroded. The vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10816427
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Today i was at my mechanics to replace a muffler. After raising the car up on the rack he noticed destructive rust that was covering and inundating the k frame and front lower control arms (transverse links). In september of 2012 i was at gary lang subaru (illinois) for an unrelated issue. The safety recall for my vehicle , wvx-34, required an inspection and repairs, and if necessary, replacement or corrosion…
ODI 10760826
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. While reversing at approximately 5 mph, the front driver side wheel fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver side lower control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000…
ODI 10763615
Suspension · Underbody Shields
Upon changing the oil in my 2003 subaru forester i noticed that my sub frame is totally rotted out. I don't know how my car has even stayed together its so bad. I looked the problem up online and i found that it is a major issue with subaru cars. I called subaru to see if they could help to get it fixed and they said its a cosmetic issue and they will not help me. But they did say they will offer me $500 towards the…
ODI 10632518
Air Bags · Steering · Suspension
I was driving at 55 mph when my right front control arm snapped. I looked to ensure no vehicles were coming, and made the decision to turn left to get back on the road with all four tires as i could only turn left. I could not control the vehicle, and the vehicle turned side ways and then rolled three consecutive times landing on its wheels facing south. I was transported to the hospital . On the way to the hospital…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10617956
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated repairs when they noticed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign id number 11v464000 (suspension), however the remedy did not correct the failure. The vehicle was currently being repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer…
ODI 10560750
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). The contact stated that the dealer coated the control arms, but the control arms were rusted through. The dealer stated that the control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
ODI 10682078
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected, it was discovered that the front passenger wheel assembly was found severely corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The front wheel assembly was replaced. The failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage was 183,000. Updated 7/9/12 *cn the right side frame assembly was rusted and corroded. Updated 07/10/12
ODI 10462062