Free 2003 Subaru Forester VIN Decoder

Unlock the rugged capabilities and steadfast reliability of your Subaru Forester. Use our free VIN decoder below to explore the unique history and features that make your Forester a reliable companion on every journey. Enter your VIN now to get started.

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How to decode a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of motor vehicles. For the 2003 Subaru Forester, the WMI is “JF1,” where “J” indicates that the car was manufactured in Japan, “F” denotes Subaru Corporation as the manufacturer, and “1” signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car. This Subaru Corporation operates out of Shibuya-Ku in Tokyo, Japan. The WMI plays a crucial role in providing detailed information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type, aiding in registration, identification, and regulatory compliance. It serves as the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering a standardized method to classify and track vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Subaru Forester

WMI: JF1

  • Model Years Covered: 1998-2008
  • Example VIN: JF1SG63603H701771
  • Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
  • Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
  • City: Shibuya-Ku
  • State or Province: Tokyo
  • Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

  • Engine type
  • Transmission
  • Model or trim
  • Body style
  • Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2003 Subaru Forester:

Known VDS for a 2003 Subaru Forester
SG636SG656

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2003 Subaru Forester VIN — Year Code

Year Code Year
3 2003

11th Character in the 2003 Subaru Forester VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Subaru Forester Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
G Ota Gunma Japan Fhi JF1SG65603G700171
H Ota Gunma Japan Fhi JF1SG63603H701771

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Subaru Forester

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Subaru Forester’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Subaru Forester’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Subaru Forester’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Subaru Forester is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

  1. Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Subaru Forester – the VIN is commonly visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
  2. Open the driver’s side door and examine the door pillar (door jamb). You should find the VIN on a label or sticker at the place where the door latches.
  3. Check under the hood of your Subaru Forester; you might find the VIN stamped onto a plate on the engine block or on a strut tower.
  4. Inspect the rear wheel well. You might need to turn the steering wheel to the maximum to get a better view, but the VIN can sometimes be found stamped above the tire.
  5. Look at your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which should list the VIN of your Subaru Forester.
  6. If you still can’t find the VIN, consult the owner’s manual of your Subaru Forester; it should provide specific guidance on where to find the VIN on your vehicle.
VIN Decoder

What info can a 2003 Subaru Forester VIN reveal?

  • Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it could possibly be the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
  • Vehicle Specifications: The VIN details a Subaru Forester 2.5X with a 2.5 liter engine, showcasing the type of comprehensive model information that can be obtained, offering potentially valuable insights into the vehicle’s specifications.
  • Body Class and Type: It reveals the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), potentially highlighting the body class and size information encoded in the VIN for the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
  • Drive Type and Transmission: The vehicle features AWD/All-Wheel Drive and a Manual/Standard transmission with 5 speeds, potentially indicating performance characteristics that may be present in the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
  • Safety Features: The VIN suggests the presence of standard safety features for this model, with front air bag locations for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and side air bag locations, indicating possible safety measures in the Subaru Forester 2.5X.
  • Manufacturing Details: The VIN points to the vehicle being manufactured in Ota, Gunma, Japan, by FHI, potentially providing insight into its production origin, and this may be how the Subaru Forester 2.5X was produced.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It is classified as Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), potentially helping to understand the vehicle’s size and weight category, indicating the size and weight range the Subaru Forester 2.5X could possibly fall into.
VIN Decoder

Don’t have your 2003 Subaru Forester’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Subaru Forester

Vehicle Spec Value
Body Class Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC) 2500
Displacement (CI) 152.559360236
Displacement (L) 2.500000
Doors 4
Drive Type AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Front Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model Forester
Model Year 2003
Plant City Ota
Plant Company Name FHI
Plant Country Japan
Plant State Gunma
Seat Belt Type Manual
Side Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Transmission Speeds 5
Transmission Style Manual/Standard
Trim 2.5X
Vehicle Descriptor JF1SG636*3G
Vehicle Type Passenger Car
Sample_VIN JF1SG63603G707866

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