Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.
Last winter on cold days I noticed strong fuel smell coming into interior cabin of car, attributed it to dirty air filter, changed it and weather got nice so smell was gone. Now it's January again and cold temps have arrived, noticed the smell again worse than ever. While taking car for oil change the technician told me I have a fuel leak and that is why the car smells like gas. Now I won't drive more than 10 miles fearful that I May wind up in a rolling fireball. Since there a multitudes of complaints online regarding this, I think Subaru of America needs to do 1 thing..recall and replace at no charge to owners. It smells when it is started, smells during initial drive and for quite some time -- driving with windows down at 30 degrees and below is difficult, I did it during our blizzard too. Area around engine reeks of fuel as well. …
Three years ago, we started to notice a fuel smell when driving our 2003 Subaru Forester on very cold days (below 20 degrees). We took it to the local Subaru dealer for service. They couldn't find a specific leak, but they tightened the clamps around the fuel lines. We continued to notice the smell and took the car to other service centers to see if another mechanic could find the source of the odor. We recently took the dark back to the Subaru dealer and were informed that the fuel lines need to be replaced at a cost of $700. We did some research online and found many Subaru owners complaining of similar issues on Forester and other Subaru models manufactured in the early 2000s. Other owners reported that this is a manufacturing defect with the car. Given the safety risk of leaking fuel, we urge NHTSA to investigate.
In very cold temperatures the interior of my vehicle is overcome with fuel fumes. It happens at idle and low speeds, does go away once we are driving for a few minutes over 30 MPH. It is so bad we had to drive with windows open in 5 degree weather. Definitely coming in through the heat vents, however, shutting the heat off did not eliminate the problem. This is my first winter with the car and didn't have this happen until the last few days, when the temps have been consistently below 30 degrees f. I've read numerous other complaints of this, not sure why there is no recall/service bulletin but would like to know the solution to the issue. It can't be safe to breathe these fumes! Would like to know the solution to this problem, as we otherwise love this vehicle!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle during cold weather, an odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The failure would only occur in temperatures below 25 degrees. The vehicle was taken to neil huffman Subaru dealer located at 4916 dixie hwy, louisville, ky 40216 who tighten and re-clamped the fuel lines but the failures continued to occurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
First event was in December 2014, long island, ny: after driving for about 3 miles, stopped with car shut off for about 30 minutes, when restarting, there was a very strong fresh/raw gas odor in the car. Sickening odor. This happens sporadically. The local Subaru dealer did a smoke test, said they fixed it by tightening clamps on fuel rail on 2/11/15. The odor continues sporadically. Now, March 3, 2015, they want to replace hoses on fuel rails. Mileage is just over 92,200.
When the weather turns cold there the smell of gasoline in the cabin it happens when the car is in idle mode when driving the smell dissipates but you can still smell it faintly I noticed it last year I went to the dealership in September 2016 and they noticed a pooling of gasoline but they notice anything because the weather was warm so they tightened they tightened the engine to the chassis
When temperature drops to low double digits (teens or below) the cab of the car begins to smell of gasoline. I have had it inspected by a mechanic and they cannot find a leak anywhere in the fuel line. It goes away when the temperature moves back to warmer temperatures.
Bad raw fuel odor in cabin in cold weather, has been happening for weeks. Went online, found tons of similar complaints, Subaru of America has not issued a recall for the 2003 Forester, even though this is a very common and dangerous safety problem.
Everyone the temperature gets below freezing there is a terrible gasoline smell that fills the cabin of the car. It is almost to the point where you cannot drive the car and it causes headaches. This happens when starting the car and while driving it.
Fuel System complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Subaru Forester, 30% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Subaru Forester fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2003 Subaru Forester, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Subaru Forester fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.