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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
65,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS 2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT AWD 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FUEL INJECTION TURBO (FEEDBACK FUEL SYSTEM) HAS BEEN PRODUCING A STRONG FUEL SMELL THAT FILLS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CABIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED FROM THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING MUCH THAT THEY C…

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THIS 2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT AWD 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FUEL INJECTION TURBO (FEEDBACK FUEL SYSTEM) HAS BEEN PRODUCING A STRONG FUEL SMELL THAT FILLS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CABIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED FROM THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING MUCH THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BASICALLY CAUSED BY EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND/OR TEMPERATURE CHANGE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU IMPREZA AND THAT SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL. NO VEHICLE, SUBARU OR OTHERWISE, SHOULD PRODUCE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE THAT IS "UNFIXABLE." THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THIS CONSUMER IS PUTTING SUBARU ON NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561154

117,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/12/14 UPDATED 3/12/14*CN THE FUEL LINES, CLAMPS AND UPPER INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKED. UPDATED 04/01/14

NHTSA ODI #10561131

72,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

SMELL OF RAW GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME ONLY ON EXTREMELY COLD DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561084

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

133,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE ENGINE A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER CABIN. COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS WELL BELOW FREEZING. HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, AND IS CORRECTED BY TIGHTENING THE FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560830

122,000 miles · Jan 20, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

I STARTED THE CAR AFTER IT HAD SAT IN 10-15 DEGREE WEATHER AND THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF UNUSED GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. IT HAS STARTED HAPPENING ON START-UP FREQUENTLY SINCE THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560643

100,000 miles · Jan 12, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SMELL AT START UP IN TEMPS BELOW 35 DEGREES, DECREASES AFTER CAR WARMS UP. IF VERY COLD DOES NOT GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559512

101,312 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEAK IN 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT SIMILAR TO OTHER SAFETY COMPLAINTS ENTERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V468000 AND SUBARU RECALL WVK-21 FOR 2003 WRX. EVENING OF 7JAN2014 DRIVING HOME (IN UNCOMMONLY COOL WEATHER) THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL STRONGLY OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON ARRIVING HOME, INSPECTED UNDER THE HOO…

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FUEL LEAK IN 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT SIMILAR TO OTHER SAFETY COMPLAINTS ENTERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V468000 AND SUBARU RECALL WVK-21 FOR 2003 WRX. EVENING OF 7JAN2014 DRIVING HOME (IN UNCOMMONLY COOL WEATHER) THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL STRONGLY OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON ARRIVING HOME, INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD TO OBSERVE DRIPPING FUEL (APPROXIMATELY 1 DRIP PER SECOND) ABOVE THE ENGINE AT A METAL TO RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTION. LEAKED FUEL WAS POOLED ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. A PUDDLE OF WARM FUEL VAPORIZING NEAR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIATOR FANS) IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THE EVENT. I INVESTIGATED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER ACCOUNTS OF COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAKS IN MANY SUBARU MODELS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO MINE. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER APPEARED TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHEN I CALLED, BUT STATED THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON MY MODEL. THEY OFFERED THAT THEIR FIX IS TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS BUT I WOULD NEED TO COVER THE COST OF THE WORK. IF SUBARU HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE 2002-2003 IMPREZA AND WRX, WHY WOULD THEY NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS THAT SHOW THE SAME SYMPTOMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559347

87,000 miles · Jan 8, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

DURING THE RECENT COLD SNAP HERE IN TENNESSEE I GOT A REPORT FROM A FRIEND THAT HIS 2004 FORESTER XT WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO HIS ENGINE BAY. I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY AND MINE IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE FUEL IS SLOWLY LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I DID SOME RESEARCHING AN…

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DURING THE RECENT COLD SNAP HERE IN TENNESSEE I GOT A REPORT FROM A FRIEND THAT HIS 2004 FORESTER XT WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO HIS ENGINE BAY. I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY AND MINE IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE FUEL IS SLOWLY LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I DID SOME RESEARCHING AND IT SEEMS THAT ALMOST ALL FORESTER MODELS FROM 2002-2006 HAVE THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE! SOME HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE FORESTER XT HASN'T. THE ENGINES ARE THE SAME...I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED BY SUBARU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559009

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

2004 SUBARU FORESTER XS WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP THE FUEL LINE SHRINKS AROUND THE FITTING AND RAW GAS LEAKS AT A RATE OF 1 DROP PER 3-5 SECONDS DIRECTLY ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE FIRST NOTICED THE POOL OF GAS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON A 20 F DAY. THE RAW GAS FUMES THAT FILLED THE CABIN WERE SO STRONG WE GOT SEVERE HEADACHES …

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

NHTSA ODI #10558587

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 →