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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.

About this comparison →
219Owner complaints

Model-year median: 131

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
139
200188
2002189
2003219
200493
200588
200672
2007
Compare all Forester years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel/propulsion System
63Fuel System, Gasoline
61Suspension
25Engine
23Air Bags
21
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
16Power Train
12Vehicle Speed Control
12Unknown Or Other
9Electrical System
4Structure
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Wheels
3Service Brakes
2Tires
2Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Steering
1Visibility
1

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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130,000 miles · Jan 11, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, HELLO, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORESTER XT WHICH I LOVE. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND ITS BEEN NOTHING BUT RELIABLE UP TO THIS POINT. THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL, AND WITH THAT COMES A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY SUBARU OWNERS. DURING THE COLD SNAPS, SAY BELOW 20F, THERE IS STRONG F…

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, HELLO, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORESTER XT WHICH I LOVE. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND ITS BEEN NOTHING BUT RELIABLE UP TO THIS POINT. THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL, AND WITH THAT COMES A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY SUBARU OWNERS. DURING THE COLD SNAPS, SAY BELOW 20F, THERE IS STRONG FUEL SMELLS WHICH FILLS THE CABIN. IT ONLY HAPPENS DURING START-UP, AND LASTS ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE THE CAR WARMS UP. FROM SEARCHING MANY FORUMS AND INTERNET THREADS IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE EARLY 2001. THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE (WVK-21)FOR THE 2002 -2003 WRX'S WHICH HAD A SAME PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING NOW. UNFORTUNATELY A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED FOR LATER MODEL SUBARUS WHICH SUFFER THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS FUEL LEAKING FROM 5 MAIN FUEL LINES GOING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, THE LINES ARE SHRINKING AND IS ALLOWING FUEL TO SPEW OUT EVERYWHERE. JUST FROM SEARCHING FOR 3 DAYS I'VE SEEN 125 CASES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS. WILL YOU PLEASE PUT OUT A BULLETIN BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THERE CAR EXPLODING BECAUSE OF EXTRA FUEL LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL HOSES. PLEASE I BEG OF YOU, PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671695

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WITH BLOWER SET ON OUTSIDE AIR. THE CAUSE WAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660412

120,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

ON DAYS WITH SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IS PRESENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE IS GASOLINE VISIBLY DRIPPING FROM A FUEL LINE BEHIND THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE GASOLINE LANDS ON THE ENGINE BLOCK AND PRODUCES VISIBLE VAPORS AS IT IS SLOWLY BURNED UP BY THE HEAT. U…

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ON DAYS WITH SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IS PRESENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE IS GASOLINE VISIBLY DRIPPING FROM A FUEL LINE BEHIND THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE GASOLINE LANDS ON THE ENGINE BLOCK AND PRODUCES VISIBLE VAPORS AS IT IS SLOWLY BURNED UP BY THE HEAT. UPON DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH A SUBARU REPAIR SHOP, THEY SAID THIS IS QUITE COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659834

180,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED A USED SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 180,000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED MID-WINTER IN DENVER, COLORADO. ON EXTREMELY COLD DAYS I NOTICED A RAW FUEL SMELL. IT WAS AN ALARMINGLY STRONG SMELL! I WAS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE I HAD ALSO OWNED A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH APPROXIMATELY 155,000 WHICH …

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I PURCHASED A USED SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 180,000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED MID-WINTER IN DENVER, COLORADO. ON EXTREMELY COLD DAYS I NOTICED A RAW FUEL SMELL. IT WAS AN ALARMINGLY STRONG SMELL! I WAS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE I HAD ALSO OWNED A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH APPROXIMATELY 155,000 WHICH INCIDENTALLY WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS "KNOWN" ISSUE. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH RAW GAS SMELL ON THE DAYS THAT WERE WARMER WITH EITHER VEHICLE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN LONGMONT, COLORADO WHERE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE FUEL HOSES WERE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE MANIFOLD AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME BECAUSE IT WAS BACK ORDERED APPROXIMATELY 6-8 WEEKS. I HAD A FACTORY TRAINED SUBARU TECHNICIAN THAT OWNS HIS OWN SHOP REPLACE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THE FUEL DELIVERY HOSES WITH ORIGINAL SUBARU REPLACEMENT PARTS SINCE SAID PART WAS BACK ORDERED. I ALSO REPLACED THE LONG BLOCK (SUBARU) ALONG WITH A HOST OF OTHER ITEMS AT THE SAME TIME SINCE THE MOTOR WAS OUT. PRIOR TO GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS ABLE TO TEST THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL ATMOSPHERE WITH A TOOL THAT DETECTS THE ENVIRONMENTS AIR QUALITY. THE ATMOSPHERE WAS ABLE TO TRIP THE TOOL SHOWING THAT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS IN A LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE THAT IT WAS THAT BAD. I DETERMINED THAT THIS ISSUE WARRANTED AN IMMEDIATE FIX WITH SUBARU FACTORY PARTS. AS OF THIS LAST WEEK, NOVEMBER 2014, WHEN DENVER HAD RECORD BREAKING COLD WEATHER I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN WITH RAW FUEL SMELL. NOW, ONE COULD CONCLUDE THAT THE FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN MADE AN ERROR REPLACING SAID PARTS BUT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ISSUE FOR NEARLY 9 WARM MONTHS. COINCIDENCE??? I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER. THIS FIX SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER A RECALL AS WAS MY 2002 SUBARU WRX. I CALLED S.O.A WITH NO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659489

96,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE SMELL OF FUEL BECAME OBVIOUS AFTER A 10-15 MINUTE DRIVE. UPON EXAMINATION, THERE WAS FUEL DRIPPING FROM A FUEL LINE. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE FIRST FREEZE OF THE YEAR, FITTING OTHER DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS ISSUE I FOUND FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654794

149,205 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WARMED UP VEHICLE. TEMP WAS BELOW 31 DEGREES CLOSER TO LOW 20'S. WITHIN TWO MINUTES FUEL SMELL ENTERED VEHICLE. OVER COME BY FUMES... ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS. PROBLEM TOOK AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AT LEAST TO GET RID OF SMELL. VERY WORRIED DUE TO FUEL BEING A HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE FLUID IN A HOT ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654281

190,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, EVERY TIME THE WEATHER GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO, THE INTERIOR CABIN SMELLS LIKE RAW GASOLINE UPON STARTING THE CAR AND CONTINUING THROUGH SEVERAL MINUTES OF RUN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652780

120,000 miles · Feb 13, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

THERE IS A PRONOUNCED, UNMISTAKABLE SMELL OF UNCOMBUSTED GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED ON COOL OR COLD MORNINGS. THE FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE HEADACHES AND REQUIRE LOWERING THE WINDOWS UNTIL IT DISSIPATES MINUTES …

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THERE IS A PRONOUNCED, UNMISTAKABLE SMELL OF UNCOMBUSTED GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED ON COOL OR COLD MORNINGS. THE FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE HEADACHES AND REQUIRE LOWERING THE WINDOWS UNTIL IT DISSIPATES MINUTES LATER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN, WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. GASOLINE IS LEAKING ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564186

49,000 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

UPON START UP IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW FREEZING), THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN. AT TIMES IT IS UNBEARABLE NECESSITATING ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS, EVEN IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT LOOKS LIKE FUEL IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND I WORRY THE FUMES ARE DANGEROUS FOR …

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UPON START UP IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW FREEZING), THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN. AT TIMES IT IS UNBEARABLE NECESSITATING ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS, EVEN IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT LOOKS LIKE FUEL IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND I WORRY THE FUMES ARE DANGEROUS FOR NOT ONLY PASSENGERS' HEALTH, BUT ALSO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563462

129,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE UPON STARTING THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. REALLY GIVES ME A HEADACHE AND MAKES ME NERVOUS ABOUT IGNITING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561032

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.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems

Subaru Forester transmission problems →Subaru Forester electrical problems →