Subaru Forester 2003–2008 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (SG)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026713 complaints, 582 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2003 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 189
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2003
- Fuel system31 reports · median 91,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system26 reports
- Airbag system25 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Seat belts — front · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 96,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 219
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Fuel and propulsion system63 reports · median 122,000 mi
- Fuel system61 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Suspension25 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 93
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2005
- Suspension21 reports
- Throttle and speed control17 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system14 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 88
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2006
- Throttle and speed control20 reports
- Suspension12 reports
- Engine11 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 57,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 74
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2007
- Suspension12 reports
- Transmission and driveline11 reports
- Engine9 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 89,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 50
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2008
- Suspension11 reports
- Engine7 reports
- Airbag system6 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2004; earliest: the 2006, and the 2004 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2008 Subaru Forester reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 85,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 160,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 582
- Recalls
- 5
Most reported
- Fuel and propulsion system16.4% of complaints · median 120,000 mi
- Fuel system16.0% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Suspension14.4% of complaints · median 126,000 mi
Documented problems
- Head Gaskets (EJ253 SOHC)2003–2008
- Turbocharger (EJ255, XT Only)2004–2008
- Engine (EJ255 Pistons)2004–2008
- Wheel Bearings2003–2008
Owners filed 713 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2008 Subaru Forester; the fuel and propulsion system leads with 16.4% of them, and half of the 582 that record an odometer reading came by 85,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 48,000 to 125,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2008 Subaru Forester last?
On the 2003–2008 Subaru Forester, half of the 582 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 85,000 miles and 90% by 160,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
77 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 11 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Forester reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Subaru Forester 2003–2008 · 582 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 44 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 11 complaints (1.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 14,000
- 25%
- 48,000
- Median
- 85,000
- 75%
- 125,000
- 90%
- 160,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 41 | 7.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 32 | 5.5% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 17 | 2.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 25 | 4.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 40 | 6.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 44 | 7.6% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 37 | 6.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 38 | 6.5% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 37 | 6.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 37 | 6.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 39 | 6.7% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 32 | 5.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 32 | 5.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 36 | 6.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 18 | 3.1% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 18 | 3.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 17 | 2.9% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 15 | 2.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 9 | 1.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 7 | 1.2% |
| 200,000+ | 11 | 1.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Forester problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Forester 2003–2008
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control78 reportsmedian 51,000middle half 16,000–82,000
- Engine and its cooling system61 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 20,000–95,000
- Airbag system69 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 37,000–92,000
- Fuel system114 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 55,000–114,000
- Engine65 reportsmedian 108,000middle half 76,000–133,000
- Fuel and propulsion system117 reportsmedian 120,000middle half 83,000–150,000
- Suspension103 reportsmedian 126,000middle half 89,000–158,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel and propulsion system | 117 | 16.4% | 120,000 | 83,000–150,000 |
| Fuel system | 114 | 16.0% | 85,000 | 55,000–114,000 |
| Suspension | 103 | 14.4% | 126,000 | 89,000–158,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 78 | 10.9% | 51,000 | 16,000–82,000 |
| Airbag system | 69 | 9.7% | 61,000 | 37,000–92,000 |
| Engine | 65 | 9.1% | 108,000 | 76,000–133,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 61 | 8.6% | 60,000 | 20,000–95,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 43 | 6.0% | 50,000 | 13,000–112,000 |
| Body structure | 36 | 5.0% | 90,000 | 42,000–137,000 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 3.9% | 70,000 | 30,000–95,000 |
Known problems with the 2003–2008 Forester
Head Gaskets (EJ253 SOHC) 2003–2008
External head gasket coolant seepage on the naturally aspirated SOHC engine, same mechanism as the late first generation - slow coolant loss, weeping at the head-to-block joint.
Turbocharger (EJ255, XT Only) 2004–2008
Turbocharger failure from oil starvation, commonly traced to the banjo bolt filter screen in the turbo oil feed line clogging with sludge or debris. Subaru later deleted the screen. Failing turbos frequently send debris into the engine, escalating cost.
Engine (EJ255 Pistons) 2004–2008
Ringland failure on the turbocharged EJ255 - the piston ring land fractures under detonation, producing loss of compression and blow-by. Heavily concentrated on tuned or hard-driven cars.
Wheel Bearings 2003–2008
Continued front and rear wheel bearing failure across the generation.
Before you buy a 2003–2008 Forester: the 3-minute check
Generated from 582 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check head gaskets (EJ253 SOHC) on 2003–2008 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check turbocharger (EJ255, XT only) on 2004–2008 XT cars.
- Check engine (EJ255 pistons) on 2004–2008 XT cars.
- Years differ here: from 50 to 219 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Forester problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi34% below | At 90k mi53% below | At 120k mi72% below | At 150k mi87% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel and propulsion system | 83,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 55,000–114,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 89,000–158,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 16,000–82,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 37,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 76,000–133,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 20,000–95,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Forester 2003–2008 · 582 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 34% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 53% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2003–2008 Subaru Forester recalls (5)
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
Sep 2011 · 2003–2008 · SuspensionA broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2007 · 2006 · Air BagsThe passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct…
Oct 2004 · 2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine compartment.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and retighten the oil-flow control valve cover bolts. The recall began on october 8, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Feb 2003 · 2003 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the seat occupant.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2002 · 2003 · Power TrainThe vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 713 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 75 (10.5%)
- Fires
- 16
- Injury reports
- 35
- Fatality reports
- 2
Forester problems by model year
The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 219, most of them about the fuel and propulsion system, and the 2008 the fewest, 50. A typical year drew about 90.
That makes the 2004 stand out at roughly 2.4 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 189 | 151 | 90,000 | Fuel system (31) | 3 |
| 2004 | 219 | 188 | 96,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (63) | 2 |
| 2005 | 93 | 79 | 80,000 | Suspension (21) | 1 |
| 2006 | 88 | 69 | 51,000 | Throttle and speed control (20) | 2 |
| 2007 | 74 | 56 | 57,000 | Suspension (12) | 1 |
| 2008 | 50 | 39 | 89,000 | Suspension (11) | 1 |
What Forester owners reported
The contact's friend owned a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly violently accelerated and crashed into the retaining wall and unit across the street. The vehicle was then shifted into drive from reverse when the vehicle violently accelerated a second…
2007 · 120,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was…
2008 · 144,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
2008 · 116,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the contact became aware that the power steering was not functioning properly. After a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, the…
2003 · 117,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 582 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Forester generations
- Forester 1998–2002 230 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Forester 2009–2013 539 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Forester 2014–2018 1,489 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Forester 2019–2024 801 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper