Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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 contact observed that the passenger's side wheel appeared to have detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the frame rail, stabilizer, and lower control arm. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the lower control arm had fractured from the frame. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired in 2018. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where an inspection was performed but nothing was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the lower control arm cracked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm completely rusted in half. It occurred while parking vehicle, fortunately not driving at high speed. The recall was previously completed by Subaru dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2011. According to service records, they had been treated with anti-corrosion coating... I purchased the vehicle from a family member of the original owner, weeks ago, December 2021. It had been serviced regularly by the dealership and now has 162,000 miles. This structural failure of the lower control arm could have been extremely disastrous if driving at speed on the road or highway! I contacted my local dealership in Traverse City, MI, and was told by the service advisor the recall had been completed and would not be covered again for subsequent replacement. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal noise which emitted from the passenger's side front suspension of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle became uncontrollable, going from the right lane to the extreme left lane, down an embankment into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that there was no other vehicle involved. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated on inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the passenger's side front lower control arm fractured which caused the separation of the wheel from the suspension. The fracture caused damage to the inside wheel well of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Miller Subaru (1592 nj-38, lumberton, nj 08048, [phone]) was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. …
The passenger side front lower control arm separated at the weld seam while my daughter was driving the car. The passenger side front tire swung rearward and outward because the front portion of the lower control arm separated from the rest of the control arm. This pulled the car off the road but luckily she was traveling at a slow speed on a side road on her way to get on the interstate and was able to get the car stopped before crashing. Had this happened at any normal road speed she would likely have died from a complete loss of control of the car at a high rate of speed. There was a recall in 2011 on these cars for this very condition. My car shows "complete" in their system for this recall but it was either not actually completed or the replacement parts are equally as dangerous and need to be recalled again. …
Tl* the contact's daughter owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to sway from side to side without warning while making an abnormal metallic grinding sound. His daughter pulled over and called him for assistance upon arrival, he noticed that the passenger's side front tire was not facing forward. The contact then inspected the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger's side tire was detached from the control arm. The contact also discovered that the cv shaft was also detached from the transmission, which resulted in oil leaking onto the cross member. Due to the failure, the contact slowly drove the vehicle to his residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension) which he linked to the failure. …
Vehicle was originally recalled in 2011/2012 for NHTSA campaign id number: 11V464000 NHTSA action number: pe11011. At time, dealer conducted punch test and determined lower control arm to "pass" and used some type of anti-corrosion spray. Fast forward to 2017 and lower control arms have "failed" punch test with significant corrosion. I only detected this failed, and potentially life threatening condition of vehicle, by personally inspecting under carriage prior to giving vehicle to 16 year-old son as first car. I can only imagine how many of these Subaru foresters that were previously, and quite conveniently determined to pass by punch test, are out there on the streets and highways with potential serious consequences to the unknowing owners of these vehicles. …
Today I was at my mechanics to replace a muffler. After raising the car up on the rack he noticed destructive rust that was covering and inundating the k frame and front lower control arms (transverse links). In September of 2012 I was at gary lang Subaru (illinois) for an unrelated issue. The safety recall for my vehicle , wvx-34, required an inspection and repairs, and if necessary, replacement or corrosion treatment of the lower control arms (transverse link). According to Subaru of America, that recall was "completed". The Subaru operator (kayla) could not elaborate on the term "complete". No mention of any specific action was reported. Today, during the inspection of said area, my mechanic indicated that no proof existed of either corrective action, either undercoating or mechanical repair or replacement. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. While driving at a low speed, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact found no damage. Upon re-entering the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front lower control arm was fractured. In addition, the front passenger side lower control arm and sway bar link were severely rusted. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000. ..updated 05/09/17 updated 05/17/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Forester. While reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the front driver side wheel fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver side lower control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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,…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of…
Suspension complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Subaru Forester, 12% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower arm (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Subaru Forester suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-464 (lower arm, Sep 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Subaru Forester suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.