Illustrationleaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather
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 reportsTHERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RUBBER HOSES, AND THEY CAUSE FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE CB VIA CLIMATE CONTROL. IT IS A VERY STRONG ODOR, THAT REQUIRES ME TO EITHER DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OR WAIT FOR THE CAR TO CLEAR OUT THE FUEL ODOR OUT OF THE CABIN. MOSTLY OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER DAYS. ONCE ENGINE W…
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THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RUBBER HOSES, AND THEY CAUSE FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE CB VIA CLIMATE CONTROL. IT IS A VERY STRONG ODOR, THAT REQUIRES ME TO EITHER DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OR WAIT FOR THE CAR TO CLEAR OUT THE FUEL ODOR OUT OF THE CABIN. MOSTLY OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER DAYS. ONCE ENGINE WARMS UP, ODOR FADES AWAY. MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR CARS SAY IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARUS.
NEOPREEN HOSE TO THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING. THIS HOSE IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE LEAK CAUSED FUEL TO RUN ALL OVER ENGINE, WHICH WAS THEN DRAWN INTO THE CABIN VIA THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AND RAW FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ONCE STOPPED.
CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL FOR OPERATOR TO USE A PARKING LOT GATE MACHINE. THE ENGINE SURGED A LITTLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT SETTLED BACK DOWN. WHEN PARKING GATE OPENED THE OPERATOR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SURGED TO FULL THROTTLE AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED ACROSS T…
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CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL FOR OPERATOR TO USE A PARKING LOT GATE MACHINE. THE ENGINE SURGED A LITTLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT SETTLED BACK DOWN. WHEN PARKING GATE OPENED THE OPERATOR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SURGED TO FULL THROTTLE AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE BEING STOPPED BY COLLISION WITH A GRANITE POST. OPERATOR COULD NOT BRAKE HARD ENOUGH TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. DRIVER INJURED IN CRASH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SCHLOSSMANN SUBARU CITY OF MILWAUKEE LOCATED AT 4640 S 27TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53221, (414) 459…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SCHLOSSMANN SUBARU CITY OF MILWAUKEE LOCATED AT 4640 S 27TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53221, (414) 459-3677 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
HAVE GAS SMELL WHICH I CANNOT FIND THAT IS ONGOING. I DID HAVE A GAS LINE REPAIR ON A GAS PRESSURE LINE THAT BURST THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BUT STILL HAVE AN ONGOING GAS SMELL WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK. I SEE MANY COMPLAINT REGARDING GAS SMELL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO I AM ALSO POSTING. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL REGARDI…
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HAVE GAS SMELL WHICH I CANNOT FIND THAT IS ONGOING. I DID HAVE A GAS LINE REPAIR ON A GAS PRESSURE LINE THAT BURST THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BUT STILL HAVE AN ONGOING GAS SMELL WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK. I SEE MANY COMPLAINT REGARDING GAS SMELL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO I AM ALSO POSTING. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL REGARDING GAS SMELL BUT WITH ALL THE COPLAINTS THERE SHOULD BE ONE. ITS UNKNOWN AS TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.
THE RUBBER INJECTOR LINES RUNNING BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE TURBOCHARGED (XT) MODEL, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, ARE WELL KNOWN TO DEVELOP A DANGEROUS LEAK. EITHER THE RUBBER DRIES OUT OR THE FACTORY CLAMPS LOOSEN UP OVER TIME, LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED…
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THE RUBBER INJECTOR LINES RUNNING BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE TURBOCHARGED (XT) MODEL, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, ARE WELL KNOWN TO DEVELOP A DANGEROUS LEAK. EITHER THE RUBBER DRIES OUT OR THE FACTORY CLAMPS LOOSEN UP OVER TIME, LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS AN ISSUE ON THE IMPREZA BUT YOU FORGOT ABOUT FOERESTER OWNERS, SUBARU! SHAME ON YOU.
DURING COLD WEATHER, WHILE AT A STOP AND IN MOTION, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SOURCE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUELS LINES AND SPECIFICALLY THE FITTINGS ON THE LINES. DURING COLD WEATHER, EITHER THE FITTINGS OR THE HOSES CONTRACT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY, NEAR THE HOT HEADERS AND HOT TURBO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
ANYTIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 60 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT THERE'S A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD I CAN SEE IT DRIPPING OUT OF SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SEVERE GAS LEAK. NAUSEOUS AND DANGEROUS FUMES.
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.