Forester (SG)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Subaru Forester Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2003-2008 Subaru Forester
On a used 2003-2008 Subaru Forester, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (231), the engine (126) and the suspension (102). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 231 owner complaints on the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester about the fuel system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester about the engine.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester about the suspension.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester about the cooling system.
Recalls (5)
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.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2003-2008 Subaru Forester complaints?
Owners have filed 711 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the engine and the suspension.
Is the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 711 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA has 711 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2003-2008 Subaru Forester vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Forester?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the engine and the suspension, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Forester?
The 2008 Subaru Forester received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Optional. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 711 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.