2003 Subaru Forester Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 2003 Subaru Forester covers the X and XS, the two trims listed for the year. Both are four-door sport utilities with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four that runs on gasoline and uses a single overhead camshaft. The manual provides specifications and diagnostics for that engine along with its fuel and ignition systems, plus procedures for the drivetrain, suspension, brakes and electrical system.

Engines covered

• 2.5L flat-four — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sport utility

Trims covered

• X
• XS

Known issues on the 2003 Forester. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Forester, the first of them for certain 2003 Forester vehicles built within a set production period and sold or registered in certain states that use road salt, where corrosion at the hanger brackets can break the front lower control arms, risking loss of control; dealers rustproof or replace the arms. Faulty front seat belt buckles on certain 2003 Forester vehicles could unlatch in a crash, a campaign covering 326 vehicles. Owners lodged 189 complaints, led by the gasoline fuel system (31), fuel/propulsion system (26) and air bags (25); 17 complaints reported a crash and 2 reported a death. Suspension torque values and fuel system diagnostics apply.