Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
JF1SG63663H••••••2003 Subaru FORESTER
This build draws 1.8× more complaints than the average 2003 Subaru FORESTER build (7 vs 4).
7on this build
152on the model
40builds in total
1involved a crash
1injuries
Most reportedVisibility 1Equipment 1Service Brakes 1Hydraulic 1
What owners of this build wrote
Service BrakescrashSep 2011
2013 subaru. Consumer writes in regards to brake problems. *smd the consumer stated almost from the moment, he purchased the vehicle, he and his wife experienced problems with the brakes. The consumer stated on two occasions, his wife experienced a slow brake response. The…
SuspensionMay 2017
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…
Fuel/propulsion SystemJan 2017
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…
EngineSep 2014
We were driving on the interstate traveling about 70 mph when my husband noticed the back window had a greasy film that the wiper only made worse. We pulled off the highway to a gas station to take a look and noticed smoke billowing from the hood. After waiting a few minutes he…
StructureAug 2014
2003 - subaru - forester - body hardware, fender, structural components & rails, lower frame left is completely rotted through. There was a recall on the support strut beside it but none on this. This is a major crash protection component as it connects the bumper to the frame.…
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Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 40 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN JF1SG63663H704951 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.