The Lemon Index2003 Subaru Outback.
The 2003 Subaru Outback is better than average by owner complaints: 31 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 67, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 19 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 93 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 89K miles on the car (64 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 15
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
Show all 15 recalls
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
" These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, c.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S.
- fuel system, gasoline 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- speed control 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
- suspension 2003
ON SOME PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISS…
- suspension 2003
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,…
- transmission & drivetrain 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD.
- engine 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.
- wheels 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE AN OFF-CENTER DIAMETER.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 199 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Improperly manufactured 4eat transmission parking pawl rod
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
On a very cold morning the vehicles gas pedal became stuck and caused sudden accelerate. As a result the vehicle crashed into 4 other cars.
2003 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10119359
More owner reports
Consumer states that while driving and without warning the vehicle will stall. The dealer was notified.
NHTSA complaint 10018128
When car was slowing for a stop sign it would stall, however it could always be restarted. The consumer would have to place the vehicle in park and restart.
NHTSA complaint 10119584
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Subaru Outback reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2003 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (19%), speed control (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Outback have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Subaru Outback get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,100 and 89,200 miles. The middle report was at 73,800 miles, from 64 complaints.
Does the 2003 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works