2003 Subaru Forester
US · SUV · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
The 2003 Subaru Forester is listed in the US market as a suv with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- 2.5L 4-cylinder
- Transmission
- Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Economy
- 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) combined
Key Figures
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 2.5 L | |
| Cylinders | 4 | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual | |
| Gears | 4 to 5 | |
| Drivetrain | AWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) |
Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.
Trims and configurations
2 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 4, 2026.
11V464000: 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, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE,…
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. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE…
Reported September 6, 2011. View on NHTSA
03V047000: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy: 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 SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE…
Reported February 20, 2003. View on NHTSA
02V282000: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Remedy: 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 VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN…
Reported October 30, 2002. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved November 9, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: November 9, 2026
Data verified: November 9, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Compare
Related vehicles
- 2002 Subaru Forester
SUV, Gasoline
2.5L 4-cylinder · AWD
21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) - 2004 Subaru Forester
SUV, Gasoline
Varies by configuration: 2.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.5L 4-cylinder · AWD
21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) to 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) - 2003 Subaru Baja
SUV, Gasoline
2.5L 4-cylinder · AWD
20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
SUV, Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Flex fuel
Varies by configuration: 5.3L 8-cylinder (LM7), 5.3L 8-cylinder (FLEX-FUEL) · Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) to 13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km) - 2003 Infiniti FX45
SUV, Gasoline
4.5L 8-cylinder · AWD
15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
SUV, Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Flex fuel
Varies by configuration: 4.8L 8-cylinder, 5.3L 8-cylinder (LM7), 5.3L 8-cylinder (FLEX-FUEL) · Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km)
Explore similar vehicles
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2003 Subaru Forester have?
2.5L 4-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Subaru Forester?
Combined fuel economy is 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 2003 Subaru Forester front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: AWD.
Are there recalls for the 2003 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 4, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.