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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

What owners actually said

219 reports
68,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE AIR BAG PLUGS THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG WIRING WAS NOT CONTACTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE AIR BAG PLUGS THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG WIRING WAS NOT CONTACTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS POTENTIALLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10015705: AIR BAGS) BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,500.

NHTSA ODI #10346095

56,180 miles · May 30, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ON 03/26/2010, CAR FAILED TO STOP IN SPITE OF HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS DID NOT CUT IN, THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKES, THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND: DRIVER SIDE, OUTSIDE PAD WORN TO BARE METAL SCORING ROTOR; INNER PAD FROZEN IN POSITION…

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ON 03/26/2010, CAR FAILED TO STOP IN SPITE OF HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS DID NOT CUT IN, THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKES, THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND: DRIVER SIDE, OUTSIDE PAD WORN TO BARE METAL SCORING ROTOR; INNER PAD FROZEN IN POSITION BY ACCUMULATED RUST UNDER THE INSERTS ON THE BRAKE CARRIER. RUST THICKNESS APPROX. 1 MM. MATERIAL REMAINING ON THE PAD APPROX. 4 MM. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTH PADS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE W/ APPROX. 5 MM OF MATERIAL REMAINING. RUST WAS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE CARRIERS AND NEW OEM ROTORS AND PADS WERE INSTALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333867

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2010
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT SEEMS TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD. THE LIGHT GOES OFF ON ITS OWN USUALLY WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED BACK BUT WE HAVE NOT DETECTED ANY PATTERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319392

52,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN A MUSEUM PARKING AREA ON A SLOPE, I SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF DOWN A CROWDED PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY AT VERY HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT THE TIME OF THE GEAR SHIFTING. I COULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE RAPIDLY ACCELERATIN…

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WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN A MUSEUM PARKING AREA ON A SLOPE, I SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF DOWN A CROWDED PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY AT VERY HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT THE TIME OF THE GEAR SHIFTING. I COULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE RAPIDLY ACCELERATING CAR BY BRAKING. I WAS FOCUSED ON NOT HITTING PEOPLE AND OTHER ENTERING CARS AND DIDN'T THINK TO TRY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING, DESPITE MY FOOT BEING HEAVILY ON THE BRAKE, AND I AIMED IT INTO A TREE RATHER THAN INTO AN ONCOMING CAR. THE CAR WAS "TOTALED". THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. I WAS VERY BADLY BRUISED WITH NO CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH OR BROKEN BONES. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM AND DISCHARGED AFTER A FEW HOURS. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY DEFORMED BY THE FORCE OF MY IMPACT INTO THEM. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED IN. I LATER CHECKED THE CAR AT THE IMPOUNDING SITE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF THE DRIVER SEAT FLOOR MAT BEING OUT OF PLACE OR EVEN TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I AM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS CAR AND HAD NO PRIOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS COLD, SUNNY AND DRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318150

69,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT HAS 2004 SUBURU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2010 SHE WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE AT 5MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING IN REVERSE UP TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A BUILDINGS METAL GARAGE DOOR AND PART OF THE SOUTH WALL. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE ZOOMED ACROSS THE EMPTY GARAGE S…

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TL* THE CONTACT HAS 2004 SUBURU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2010 SHE WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE AT 5MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING IN REVERSE UP TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A BUILDINGS METAL GARAGE DOOR AND PART OF THE SOUTH WALL. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE ZOOMED ACROSS THE EMPTY GARAGE SPACE AND THEN CRASHED THROUGH AND INTERIOR METAL WALL AND INTO A LARGE OPEN WORK SPACE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN A LARGE HEAVY WORK TABLE AND ANOTHER OBJECT. THE WHOLE EPISODE TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE CAUSED A LOT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT FEELS IT WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 69000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10317724

105,000 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FILLED THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WOULD SOMETIMES GO AWAY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING. IT SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BEING BELOW FREEZING. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THEY TIGHTENED FUEL CLAMPS AND REPLACED A SMALL FUEL LINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SME…

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DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FILLED THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WOULD SOMETIMES GO AWAY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING. IT SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BEING BELOW FREEZING. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THEY TIGHTENED FUEL CLAMPS AND REPLACED A SMALL FUEL LINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SMELL RETURNED EVEN MORE INTENSE. IT WAS SCARY TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH MY TODDLER IN THE CAR! TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. THEY REPLACED ALL FUEL INJECTORS/ORINGS/SEALS AND INTAKE AND EXHAUST GASKETS. REPAIRS TOTALED OVER $1,000. PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AT 105,000 MILES. (ONE MONTH EARLIER THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED...A REPAIR TOTAL OF $3,300. FOR OVER A YEAR THERE'S ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR CONSTANTLY NEEDING OIL, BUT THERE'S NO LEAK.) I'VE READ COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT FOR THE FUEL SMELL PROBLEM ON MANY SUBARU FORUMS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315294

40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING A STRONG FUEL SMELL FILLS THE INTERIOR. SOMETIMES THE SMELL GOES AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314620

55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESETER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCUR CONSISTENTLY. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,0…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESETER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCUR CONSISTENTLY. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10304123

75,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Structure

THE REAR HATCH DOOR DOES NOT LATCH AND DOOR CAN SWING OPEN. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 45K AND ALL THE DEALER WOULD DO IS SPRAY THE MECHANISM WITH WD-40. THE PROBLEM KEPT GETTING WORSE AND I AM FED UP. AS A RESULT OF THIS I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER SUBARU. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS ,IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME TH…

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THE REAR HATCH DOOR DOES NOT LATCH AND DOOR CAN SWING OPEN. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 45K AND ALL THE DEALER WOULD DO IS SPRAY THE MECHANISM WITH WD-40. THE PROBLEM KEPT GETTING WORSE AND I AM FED UP. AS A RESULT OF THIS I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER SUBARU. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS ,IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE HATCH IS OPEN...IT NEVER LATCHES WHEN CLOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302028

40,000 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE COMPARTMENT HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS A YEAR AGO (VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 40,000) AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 20 DEGREES AND LOWER WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR. THE SMELL OF GAS CONTINUED AGAIN THIS WINTER. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND CONTACTED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE TH…

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VEHICLE COMPARTMENT HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I FIRST NOTICED THIS A YEAR AGO (VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 40,000) AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 20 DEGREES AND LOWER WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR. THE SMELL OF GAS CONTINUED AGAIN THIS WINTER. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND CONTACTED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT DID STATE THAT THEY HAVE HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN OF THIS EXTREMELY STRONG GAS SMELL AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN SO BAD THAT I HAVE HAD TO KEEP A WINDOW OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300324

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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