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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

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1Investigations

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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
Clear category filter
101,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000

NHTSA ODI #10493062

107,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10489370

75,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System

STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN DEVELOPED WHEN OPERATING ON COLD MORNINGS; FUEL ODOR TYPICALLY WENT AWAY WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. INSPECTION OF FUEL LINES, FILTER, ETC. REVEALED NO OBVIOUS LEAKS ABOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REMOVE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INSPECT. I HAVE HAD TWO INDEPENDE…

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STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN DEVELOPED WHEN OPERATING ON COLD MORNINGS; FUEL ODOR TYPICALLY WENT AWAY WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. INSPECTION OF FUEL LINES, FILTER, ETC. REVEALED NO OBVIOUS LEAKS ABOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REMOVE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INSPECT. I HAVE HAD TWO INDEPENDENT SHOPS ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS; THE MOST RECENT (2011) REMOVED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPLACED ALL RUBBER FUEL LINES UNDER THE MANIFOLD, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED THIS FALL AND WINTER AND AT INCREASINGLY WARM TEMPERATURES. NOW, THERE IS A VISIBLE AND OBVIOUS LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE JUST AS IT GOES UNDER THE MANIFOLD--INACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVING THE MANIFOLD. CLEARLY, THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE METAL FUEL RAIL TO RUBBER LINE INTERFACE, SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORESTER XTS ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. SUBARU OF AMERICA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE WRX, BUT SO FAR HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM FOR THE FORESTER OR FORESTER XT. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE: THE LEAKING FUEL DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS AND IN SOME CASES (ON PASSENGER-SIDE FUEL LINE LEAKS) IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TURBOCHARGER--REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENGINE FIRE. THE FUEL FUMES IN THE CABIN ARE ALSO A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK WHICH SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY SUBARU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489347

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

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