IllustrationCAR LEAKS FUEL PROFUSELY FROM FUEL LINE NEAR ENGINE BLOCK WHEN RUNNING DURING COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
2004 Subaru Forester
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1825–50K
3850–75K
3275–100K
62100–150K
30150K+
188 reports with mileage · 31 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
63 reportsIN VERY COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR THAT REMAINS AS THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WELL BELOW FREEZING.
FORESTERS HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM OF A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF THE FUEL LINE LEAKING. THE COLD CAUSES SHRINK TO THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE CABIN. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHETHER IT'S STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AS WELL AS ALL OTHER CONCEIVABLE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN. A RECALL WAS …
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FORESTERS HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM OF A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF THE FUEL LINE LEAKING. THE COLD CAUSES SHRINK TO THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE CABIN. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHETHER IT'S STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AS WELL AS ALL OTHER CONCEIVABLE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE WRX, THE SAME SHOULD OCCUR WITH THE FORESTER. THIS ISSUE OCCURS EVERY WINTER WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES.
STRONG FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN ENTERING THE CABIN DURING STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FUEL LINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE LEAK CAN BE SEEN BUT IS INACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONCE THE VEHICLE HEATS UP AND THE LINE EXPANDS THE LEAK STOPS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE F…
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STRONG FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN ENTERING THE CABIN DURING STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FUEL LINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE LEAK CAN BE SEEN BUT IS INACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONCE THE VEHICLE HEATS UP AND THE LINE EXPANDS THE LEAK STOPS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE AND THE DANGER OF INHALING GASOLINE FLAMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,966.
FUEL LINES SEEP FUEL ONTO THE TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK AND NEAR TURBO INLET AREA WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW ~20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE SEEPAGE OCCURS AT THE CLAMPS BETWEEN THE METAL AND GAS LINES BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THESE CLAMPS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF MANY PARTS BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC. GAS FUMES FILL THE C…
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FUEL LINES SEEP FUEL ONTO THE TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK AND NEAR TURBO INLET AREA WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW ~20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE SEEPAGE OCCURS AT THE CLAMPS BETWEEN THE METAL AND GAS LINES BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THESE CLAMPS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF MANY PARTS BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC. GAS FUMES FILL THE CABIN WHEN THIS OCCURS AS WELL. FUMES ARE NOT BAD WHEN MOVING BUT IF STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL SUBARUS (2002 - 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA & IMPREZA WRX) THAT HAVE A VERY SIMILAR ENGINE CONFIGURATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONCERNS I HAVE ARE 1) FIRE HAZARD OF GAS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK NEAR TURBO AND OTHER COMPONENTS 2) FUMES BUILDING UP IN THE PASSENGER CABIN.
THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE HEAT IS ON AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 30F OR COLDER. THE ODOR OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
LEAKING GAS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN IT IS COLD OUT, 90K MILES ON THE CAR.
IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM THAT RESULTS FROM THE METAL FUEL LINE JOINING WITH A RUBBER/PLASTIC HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL AND RUBBER EXPAND/CONTRACT AT DIFFERENT RATES AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN…
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IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM THAT RESULTS FROM THE METAL FUEL LINE JOINING WITH A RUBBER/PLASTIC HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL AND RUBBER EXPAND/CONTRACT AT DIFFERENT RATES AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STATIONARY IDLING DURING COLD WEATHER.
APPROX. 90000 MILES - STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE PASSENGER CABIN. LEAKING SEAL AS DESCRIBED BY 1000'S OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS. WHY NO RECALL OR ADVISORY ON WHAT OWNER'S SHOULD LOOK FOR. BETWEEN GM FIRES, ETC, NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO ISSUE RECALL ORDER/NOTIFICATIONS. SAD.
Official recalls
211V464000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Sep 6, 2011
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, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
04V473000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 1, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE OIL-FLOW CONTROL VALVE COVER BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11011 · Front Suspension Control Arm Failure
Opened Apr 7, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension:front:control Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension:front
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.