10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,281 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Subaru Forester suspension problems

suspension problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Subaru Forester:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #18

Aug 172022

Forester

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA 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.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 112022

Forester

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

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #16

Dec 302021

Forester

  • miles
Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA 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.

- Bellaire, MI, USA

problem #15

Nov 082020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact's daughter owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to sway from side to side without warning while making an abnormal metallic grinding sound. His daughter pulled over and called him for assistance upon arrival, he noticed that the passenger's side front tire was not facing forward. The contact then inspected the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger's side tire was detached from the control arm. The contact also discovered that the cv shaft was also detached from the transmission, which resulted in oil leaking onto the cross member. Due to the failure, the contact slowly drove the vehicle to his residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall remedy was already performed on the vehicle. The contact was referred to a local dealer and no further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The consumer provided photos and documents.

- Cedar Knolls, NJ, USA

problem #14

Oct 202018

Forester

  • 122,000 miles
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 involved. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated on inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the passenger's side front lower control arm fractured which caused the separation of the wheel from the suspension. The fracture caused damage to the inside wheel well of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Miller Subaru (1592 NJ-38, lumberton, NJ 08048, (609) 267-4000) was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired but was not given proof that the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Boonton, NJ, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #13

Aug 102018

Forester

  • miles
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. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle was included or excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension) and was not included in NHTSA action number: PE11011 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #12

Mar 132018

Forester

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 stopped before crashing. Had this happened at any normal road speed she would likely have died from a complete loss of control of the car at a high rate of speed. There was a recall in 2011 on these cars for this very condition. My car shows "complete" in their system for this recall but it was either not actually completed or the replacement parts are equally as dangerous and need to be recalled again. I notified Subaru of America and took the car to a Subaru dealership for them to review but Subaru of America was not concerned saying it showed complete so there was nothing they could do. Since this has happened to me I have found others online who had Subaru dealers complete the recall without changing severely corroded lower control arms just like mine. I am afraid that other people or their children are in danger of losing their lives due to Subaru's negligence. Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc. Mfr's report date: Sep 06, 2011 NHTSA campaign id number: 11V464000 NHTSA action number: PE11011 component: Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm potential number of units affected: 295,123 this is Subaru's safety recall number wvx-34.

- Bates City, MO, USA

problem #11

May 262017

Forester

  • 115,000 miles
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, by personally inspecting under carriage prior to giving vehicle to 16 year-old son as first car. I can only imagine how many of these Subaru Foresters that were previously, and quite conveniently determined to pass by punch test, are out there on the streets and highways with potential serious consequences to the unknowing owners of these vehicles. I respectfully submit that Subaru should never have been given the option to "punch" test these lower control arms and should have been made to replace these critical parts. I would like to see Subaru address the issue. To date, I have contacted Subaru of America and have been denied any remedy, nor allowed to talk to a supervisor.

- Bethel, CT, USA

problem #10

Mar 112017

Forester

  • 162,000 miles
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, the front passenger side lower control arm and sway bar link were severely rusted. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000...updated 05/09/17 updated 05/17/2017

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #9

Oct 122016

Forester

  • 170,000 miles
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.

- Killingworth, CT, USA

problem #8

Dec 142015

Forester

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #7

Nov 032014

Forester

  • 111,000 miles
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 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

- Swiftwater, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 012015

Forester

  • 132,819 miles
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 treatment of the lower control arms (transverse link). According to Subaru of America, that recall was "completed". the Subaru operator (kayla) could not elaborate on the term "complete". no mention of any specific action was reported. Today, during the inspection of said area, my mechanic indicated that no proof existed of either corrective action, either undercoating or mechanical repair or replacement. This is a safety concern, and at some point it is possible that loss of control will follow if the lower control arm breaks. I will pursue the Subaru dealer for repairs but have no idea if they will assume responsibility.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

problem #5

Dec 082011

Forester

  • 92,000 miles
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 mileage was 92,000.

- Strodsburg, PA, USA

problem #4

Sep 052014

Forester

  • 157,000 miles
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 purchase of a new Subaru. I asked if they will apply the $500 to fixing my current Subaru and he told me no. I am a single mother that depends on my car 100% and I can't afford the repair in the first place, but Subaru will give me $500 toward the purchase of a new car.

- Larksville, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 112014

Forester 4-cyl

  • 126,244 miles
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 in the ambulance the driver had to stop, because I was throwing up convulsively while being strapped to a backboard and I thought I was going to die of not being able to breath due to my airway being filled with vomit. I sustained the following injuries: 2 forms of vertigo which I still have, a shoulder injury which I was in a sling for six weeks, severe muscle injuries in my back and neck, I now have severe muscle spasms and cramps throughout my whole body, loss of memory, and severe contusions throughout my whole body, and also a right leg injury which affects my walking capability, ptsd and severe flashbacks of my accident with me rolling over and over again, because I was conscious through the whole accident. There was an open recall on the lower control arms on my vehicle which was never repaired. The suburu recall campaign # is wvx-34, and the NHTSA campaign number is 11V-464. The necessary repairs were never performed. The airbag NHTSA complaint number I filed for the airbags not deploying is 10598597. There were 22 other reports to the NHTSA regarding the airbags not deploying due to the wiring harness attached to the drivers seat being not long enough, there are several complaints to the NHTSA. The federal trade commission is in the process of investigating my accident also. The federal trade commission reference number is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)....updated 08/12/15

- Tionesta, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 172014

Forester

  • 80,000 miles
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 was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Baldwinsville , NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 012011

Forester 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
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 the right side frame assembly was rusted and corroded. Updated 07/10/12

- Elizaville, NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?