IllustrationBracket to the sway bar bushing fell off
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
9 reportsANYTIME 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.
CSPC: THE WELD THAT CONNECTS THE MAIN PART OF THE RACK TO THE PORTION THAT ENTERS THE HITCH CRACKED, RESULTING IN THE BIKES DRAGGING IN THE ROAD UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER. THE RACK THEN SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THREE BIKES WORTH ABOUT $2,500 EACH ON THE RACK, AND MORE SERIOUSLY, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATAST…
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CSPC: THE WELD THAT CONNECTS THE MAIN PART OF THE RACK TO THE PORTION THAT ENTERS THE HITCH CRACKED, RESULTING IN THE BIKES DRAGGING IN THE ROAD UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER. THE RACK THEN SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THREE BIKES WORTH ABOUT $2,500 EACH ON THE RACK, AND MORE SERIOUSLY, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT HAD THE RACK SNAPPED OFF WITH ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND US. *DT *JS *B F *CN *JS *TR
WHEN TEMPS DROP THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN, DOESN'T GO AWAY AND PEOPLE GET VERY SICK. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S IN MOTION, STOPPED, ANYWHERE, AND NOTHING CAUSES IT TO GO AWAY UNTIL WELL INTO SPRING TIME OR WARMER WEATHER.
DRIVING HOME FROM GYM, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGING THE CLUTCH MAKING SHIFTING DIFFICULT. EVENTUALLY RETURNED HOME SAFELY AND UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED A LARGE FIREWALL CRACK NEAR THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THE LARGE FIREWALL CRACK COMPROMISED THE CLUTCH PEDAL FUNCTION. ALSO, FEAR OF POSSIBILITY OF BRAKE PEDAL…
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DRIVING HOME FROM GYM, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGING THE CLUTCH MAKING SHIFTING DIFFICULT. EVENTUALLY RETURNED HOME SAFELY AND UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED A LARGE FIREWALL CRACK NEAR THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THE LARGE FIREWALL CRACK COMPROMISED THE CLUTCH PEDAL FUNCTION. ALSO, FEAR OF POSSIBILITY OF BRAKE PEDAL FAILURE AND POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO ENGINE BAY FUMES. I SPOKE TO A SUBARU SERVICE ADVISOR AND SUGGESTED TO "BRING-IN" FOR INSPECTION. ENROUTE TO THE DEALER WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET, DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND FELT A SNAP THEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL PLAY IS NONE. LOOKED ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT FELL/DETACHED, AND IT LOOKED LIKE PART OF THE PEDAL BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. I EVENTUALLY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER. ARE FIREWALL SUPPOSED TO CRACK?
IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR THAT REMAINS AS THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WELL BELOW FREEZING.
GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLIN…
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GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. VERY STRONG ODOR. COULD NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE. *TT
HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED ON 2004 FORESTER TURBO AS RECOMMENDED ON MAINTENANCE,SCHEDULE, NEXT DAY ON HIGHWAY, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSE OF POWER. STOPPED DRIVING TOWED TO MECHANIC. SAID IT WAS BLOWN TURBO. NEVER NOTIFIED OF BANJO BOLT ISSUE, SUBARU SHOULD RECALL OR REMEDY SITUATION AT THEIR COST. *TR
THE VEHICLE GENERATED EXCESSIVE STATIC SHOCK. *NM THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD GO NO MORE THAN 15- 20 MPH. *JB
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.