2003 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2003

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2003 Subaru Forester repairs by problem area

Engine (49%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (1%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Subaru Forester problem?

Chart based on 261 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Subaru Forester.

2003 Subaru Forester transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (25%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (17%)

< $100 (38%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 24 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Subaru Forester

Engine not specified

86000 mi Drive shaft sheared. Repairs still in progress, seeking a good used part. 
87000 mi

£3000
Rear diff disintegrating 
87000 mi Rear diff disintegrating 

Return to top

2003 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

15620 mi Clutch chatter when cold. Replaced clutch assembly under warranty 
316000 mi

US $1100
Drive shaft replaced 
151700 mi

US $25
P0507 OBD II code with check engine light. Replaced Neutral Switch and cleared code (manual transmission) 
169300 mi

US $100
Replaced Clutch Slave Cylinder 
129000 mi

US $900
Replaced Transmission and clutch 
33000 mi Clutch assembly needed replacement. A few 2002/2003 Foresters developed "cold clutch shudder": Clutch would shudder when engine was cold, fine once warm. Subie recognized this as defective parts they replaced entire clutch system under warranty. 
84320 mi

A $2200
Clutch pressure plate broke into 3 pieces while driving resulting in partial loss of drive. New clutch kit fitted. Original dual-mass flywheel also replaced with a solid flywheel. New clutch and flywheel kit from Exedy (not Subaru). 
121000 mi

US $1000
Replaced worn-out shifter knuckle 

Return to top

2003 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

177000 mi

US $100
Gear selector froze in Park while I was in line at a fast food outlet. I was able to force the shifter into drive after exerting a tremendous amount of force. The car was repaired by replacing the entire shifter mechanism with a used one. The problem ended up being a failed solenoid on the old shifter. We were not able to simply replace that part because I partially destroyed the shifter when forcing into gear. 
138700 mi

US $200
Rear differential replaced 
149000 mi

US $1600
The car was making a strange almost-scraping noise from the front end. Both front wheel bearings were replaced, however, the noise still remained. 
41000 mi troubleshoot - transmission whine. no problem found 
151300 mi

US $600
driver side axle shaft& general maintenance 
108180 mi Transmission bushings replaced - car was starting to get difficult to shift. Also did a full tune up & had the winter tire change over done. 
172360 mi

C $350
Leaking transmission filter, may have hit something, thus low tranmission fluid and dash warning light. 
42500 mi

US $1817
Replaced pinion bearing support. Replaced pinion bearing support. 
210000 mi

US $500
Replace gaskets 
245000 mi

US $1600
front axle seal replacement 
123000 mi

US $38
AT Oil Temp and Check Engine light came on after having the car washed. Transmission solenoid replaced under warranty (second time in 9 months). Lights both came back on 30 minutes after picking up car, in a rainstorm. 
114742 mi

US $617
Replace transmission pressure line solenoid. Replace transmission pressure line solenoid 
114742 mi Car jerking when changing from 2 to 3rd. No clear diagnosis and advised that repair would cost $1650+. Not worth it for this lemon of a car. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

2003 Subaru Forester Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Subaru Forester problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.