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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

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 reports
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185,000 miles · Dec 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

DANGEROUS!! I AM THE RECENT PROUD OWNER OF A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WE GOT OUR FIRST FREEZE. I WALK OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT'S NOT TURNING OVER AND A STRONG FUEL SMELL IS FILLING THE CABIN. I KEEP TRYING THINKING THAT IT MAY TURN OVER. WITH NO LUCK, AND FEARING SOMETHING IS WRONG (OR MAY POSSIBLY BLOW UP…

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DANGEROUS!! I AM THE RECENT PROUD OWNER OF A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WE GOT OUR FIRST FREEZE. I WALK OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT'S NOT TURNING OVER AND A STRONG FUEL SMELL IS FILLING THE CABIN. I KEEP TRYING THINKING THAT IT MAY TURN OVER. WITH NO LUCK, AND FEARING SOMETHING IS WRONG (OR MAY POSSIBLY BLOW UP), I STOP AND GET OUT. TAKING A CLOSER LOOK HAVING PARKED IT SOME DIRT, I SEE THAT IT IS VISIBLY MOIST UNDER MY CAR. THE GROUND IS SATURATED WITH GAS. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T CONTACT ANY SPARK IN THE ENGINE OR I WASN'T SMOKING, BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY TO TELL THIS STORY. IT WAS A TON OF GAS. PLEASE FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10808643

120,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

DURING WINTER MONTHS 2004 FORESTER XT EMITS NOXIOUS FUEL SMELL INTO CABIN. SOURCE IS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN AREA OF TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD AS DISCOVER FROM PUDDLE ON GARAGE FLOOR DURING WARM UP

NHTSA ODI #10806384

150,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE LEAKING FUEL WHEN FIRST STARTING AND IT IS COLD OUTSIDE(BELOW 50F). THE FUMES AND FILLING THE CAB OF THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER IT ON.

NHTSA ODI #10794377

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL RAIL HOES CLAMPS/RUBBER LINE IS FAULTY, CAUSING POOLING OF GAS ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. MAJOR FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10790448

126,400 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I STARTED THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE. I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED AS I FEAR THEY MAY BE INHALING FUMES OR MAY SUFFER A HORRIBLE FIERY DEATH I RISK MY OWN LIFE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND NOTICE THE SMELL STARTS TO GO AWAY AFTER THE CAR WARMS …

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I STARTED THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE. I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED AS I FEAR THEY MAY BE INHALING FUMES OR MAY SUFFER A HORRIBLE FIERY DEATH I RISK MY OWN LIFE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND NOTICE THE SMELL STARTS TO GO AWAY AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP EITHER THAT OR I'M JUST USED TO IT. MY 02 WRX HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS RECALLED. WHY HAVEN'T THE XT ISSUES BEEN RECALLED? HADDAD SUBARU IN PITTSFIELD MA TIGHTENED UP WHAT THEY COULD REACH BUT THE ISSUE LIES BENEATH THE INTAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10722918

150,000 miles · Mar 28, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR HAS A STRONG GAS ODOR SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING OR EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS WARMING UP AND NOT MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE LAST YEAR AND I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF CAR TOLD ME TO REPORT IT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702387

55,000 miles · Mar 1, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 30 DEGREES), FUEL LINES LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING A SEVERE FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN, MOST LIKELY ALSO A FIRE HAZARD. DEALER CLAIMS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH A LARGE MAJORITY OF SUBARUS IN MODEL RANGE HAVE THE ISSUE, WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691340

105,800 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THERE IS A VERY STRONG AND DISTINCT SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING (20F OR BELOW). THE SMELL COMES THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A HEADACHE FOR THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE SMELL IS WORST WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AFTE…

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THERE IS A VERY STRONG AND DISTINCT SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING (20F OR BELOW). THE SMELL COMES THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A HEADACHE FOR THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE SMELL IS WORST WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AFTER A DRIVE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SUBARU WRX 2002 & 2003 CARS AND SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THEM. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ENOUGH PROBLEM FOR SUBARU FORRESTER CARS FROM THE SAME TIMEFRAME. ON THE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2004/SUBARU/FORESTER, ALMOST 50% OF THE COMPLAINTS OUT OF 154 COMPLAINTS IS ABOUT THIS FUEL LEAK ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM ACCORDING TO DEALERS AND OTHER SUBARU FORRESTER OWNERS AS WELL (HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F87/SMELL-GAS-COLD-STARTS-41319/). IT HAS ALSO BEEN DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS AT NHTSA: HTTPS://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/SITE/20042005FORESTERXTFUELLEAKS/ SUBARU OF AMERICA SEEMS TO HAVE IMPLICITLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE BEEN REIMBURSING SOME OWNERS (BUT NOT ALL) FOR THEIR SERVICE COSTS WHICH CAN BE IN THE RANGE FOR $800 (HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F88/FIXING-LEAKING-FUEL-GAS-LINE-86782/). HOWEVER, SUBARU HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS AND IS EXPECTING OWNERS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WHICH MAY MAY CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES AND GIVEN FUEL LEAKING ON HOT ENGINE PARTS, MAY LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE IF NOT FIXED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690453

129,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

STRONG ODOR OF GAS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690030

115,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP ON A COLD MORNING, ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. FUEL SMELL HAS GOTTEN STRONGER, AND IS NOW CONSTANT EVEN WHEN OPERATING UNDER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS MANY OTHER FORESTER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. ISSUES IT WITH THE FUEL LINE GOING TO THE INJ…

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NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP ON A COLD MORNING, ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. FUEL SMELL HAS GOTTEN STRONGER, AND IS NOW CONSTANT EVEN WHEN OPERATING UNDER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS MANY OTHER FORESTER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. ISSUES IT WITH THE FUEL LINE GOING TO THE INJECTORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AND PARTS THAT SUBARU USES ON THE WRX WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680509

Official recalls

2

11V464000 · 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

1

PE11011 · 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.

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