Subaru Forester 2003–2008
2nd generation (SG)
NHTSA data through 12 August 2026890 complaints, 716 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,653 and 126,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 17 complaints (2.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 13,611
- 25%
- 45,653
- Median
- 81,550
- 75%
- 126,000
- 90%
- 159,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 50 | 7.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 41 | 5.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 28 | 3.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 29 | 4.1% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 48 | 6.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 58 | 8.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 47 | 6.6% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 44 | 6.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 42 | 5.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 42 | 5.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 47 | 6.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 38 | 5.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 40 | 5.6% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 46 | 6.4% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 20 | 2.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 27 | 3.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 20 | 2.8% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 15 | 2.1% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 10 | 1.4% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| 200,000+ | 17 | 2.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 890 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2008 Subaru Forester, and 716 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,653 and 126,000 miles. The median is 81,550 miles.
The most-reported areas are the fuel and propulsion system (13.1% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles), the fuel system (13.0% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles), the suspension (11.5% of complaints, typically around 126,000 miles).
1 recall campaign cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Fuel and propulsion system120,000median 120,000 miles, middle half 83,000 to 150,000
- Fuel system85,000median 85,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 114,000
- Suspension126,000median 126,000 miles, middle half 89,000 to 158,000
- Throttle and speed control51,000median 51,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 82,000
- Airbag system59,000median 59,287 miles, middle half 34,000 to 90,000
- Engine108,000median 107,719 miles, middle half 76,000 to 133,000
- Engine and its cooling system60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 95,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel and propulsion system | 117 | 13.1% | 120,000 | 83,000–150,000 |
| Fuel system | 116 | 13.0% | 85,000 | 55,000–114,000 |
| Suspension | 102 | 11.5% | 126,000 | 89,000–158,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 77 | 8.7% | 51,000 | 16,000–82,000 |
| Airbag system | 72 | 8.1% | 59,000 | 34,000–90,000 |
| Engine | 65 | 7.3% | 108,000 | 76,000–133,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 62 | 7.0% | 60,000 | 26,000–95,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 45 | 5.1% | 40,000 | 13,000–104,000 |
| Body structure | 37 | 4.2% | 92,000 | 42,000–137,000 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 3.3% | 68,000 | 30,000–95,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 81,550 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 13.1% of complaints (117 reports, 99 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 120,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 83,200 and 150,000 miles.
The fuel system accounts for 13.0% of complaints (116 reports, 109 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,100 and 114,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 11.5% of complaints (102 reports, 81 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 126,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 89,000 and 157,900 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 8.7% of complaints (77 reports, 64 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 51,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,228 and 82,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.1% of complaints (72 reports, 53 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 59,287 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 33,710 and 90,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.3% of complaints (65 reports, 57 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 107,719 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 76,485 and 133,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2004 model year drew the most — 270 complaints — while 2008 drew the fewest at 67. The median year sits at 113.
That makes 2004 an outlier: roughly 2.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 1 recall campaign covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 890 complaints filed against this generation, 114 reported a crash; 22 reported a fire; 74 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 12.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 45,653 and 126,000 miles, with a median of 81,550. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the fuel and propulsion system and the fuel system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The fuel system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 85,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
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 XT
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 XT
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 238 | 190 |
| 2004 | 270 | 224 |
| 2005 | 105 | 89 |
| 2006 | 121 | 91 |
| 2007 | 89 | 70 |
| 2008 | 67 | 52 |
Recalls (1)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 11V464000 | 2011-12-31 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm |
What owners reported
2003 Forester 2.5Xs in alberta, canada (owned since dec 2004). Same issue at 221,000 kilometers: we have been noticing very strong fuel smell for several months now (when it's cold outside). The car is currently at the dealership for repairs. As a lot of owners noted here and on other numerous web sites, the problem…
2003 · 221 miles · Fuel and propulsion system
Manual clutch chatters. Mainly 1st and 2nd gear, only after sitting for long periods of time (6-12 hrs). Started early, around 7,000 miles. First time i complained about it, Subaru said that i wasn't driving it properly. 3Rd time i reported it (at 15,000 mi), Subaru acknowledged the problem and they are now going to…
2003 · 7,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
While backing out of a parking space the vehicle accelerated. No impact reported. *Ak the problem had not been completely corrected. The consumer almost hit a pedestrian in a parking lot due to this problem. When backing out, the vehicle started out slow but would then surge in reverse. The brakes felt spongy.…
2003 · 11,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The vehicle's failure occurred on four occasions. The mechanic stated that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The contact called a Subaru dealer and north american Subaru. The contact stated that when the vehicle's mileage exceeded 100,000 it required a new head…
2003 · 12,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 716 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page