IllustrationSTRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER (AROUND 35 DEGREES OR COLDER). THE FUMES ARE SOMETIMES SO INTENSE THAT THEY CAUSE A HEADACHE AND CERTAINLY POSE A SIGNIFICANT FIRE RISK. *TR
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
What owners actually said
219 reportsI'VE OWNED MY 2004 SUBARU FOR 5 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT AS OF DECEMBER 2013, I'VE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SMELL IS OVERPOWERING WHILE CAR IS PARKED, BUT LESSENS WHILE MOVING. IT BEGAN AFTER THE FIRST BIG DROP IN TEMPERATURE (40 DEGREES TO 10 DEGREES), AND HAS PERSISTED FOR OVER…
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I'VE OWNED MY 2004 SUBARU FOR 5 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT AS OF DECEMBER 2013, I'VE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SMELL IS OVERPOWERING WHILE CAR IS PARKED, BUT LESSENS WHILE MOVING. IT BEGAN AFTER THE FIRST BIG DROP IN TEMPERATURE (40 DEGREES TO 10 DEGREES), AND HAS PERSISTED FOR OVER A WEEK NOW. *TR
I FIRST NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE VEHICLE ON THE COLDEST DAY OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE GAS SMELL ENTERS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON AND THE CAR IS IDLING. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 10+ MPH, THE GAS SMELL IS NOT NOTICEABLE. WHEN THE HEATER…
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I FIRST NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE VEHICLE ON THE COLDEST DAY OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE GAS SMELL ENTERS THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON AND THE CAR IS IDLING. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 10+ MPH, THE GAS SMELL IS NOT NOTICEABLE. WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED OFF, THE GAS SMELL DOES NOT ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CAN SMELL GAS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO. THE SMELL IS SO OVERWHELMING THAT I CANNOT RUN THE HEATER IN THE EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING. I RAN THE VEHICLE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE GAS SMELL WHATSOEVER. I DO NOT TAKE MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME DURING THE WINTER MONTHS DUE TO THE STRONG GAS FUMES. I FEAR THAT I MAY BECOME STRANDED IN MY VEHICLE AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IDLE MY CAR FOR HEAT. *TR
DURING THE COLD WEATHER THERE IS AN VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CAR. I STARTED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND CAN SEE WHERE GAS IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. I BELIEVE IT LEAKS IN THE SAME SPOT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED. *TR
START VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND CAN SMELL GAS FUMES OUTSIDE AND INSIDE EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS CAUSES BURNING OF NOSE AND THROAT. *TR
IT WAS SUMMER WHEN I FIRST NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL THROUGH MY VENTS AND I WAS DRIVING PASS AN GAS STATION (SHELL) SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH NOT TILL THE NEXT MORNING AS I WARMED UP THE CAR I SMELLED PURE GASOLINE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER FENDER I THEN POP THE HOOD AND TRACED IT AND I WAS LEAD TO THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE SEEMS TO …
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IT WAS SUMMER WHEN I FIRST NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL THROUGH MY VENTS AND I WAS DRIVING PASS AN GAS STATION (SHELL) SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH NOT TILL THE NEXT MORNING AS I WARMED UP THE CAR I SMELLED PURE GASOLINE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER FENDER I THEN POP THE HOOD AND TRACED IT AND I WAS LEAD TO THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE FUEL RAIL AREA UNSURE AS THE ENGINE WARMED UP THE SMELL FADED AWAY BUT NOW IT'S WINTER AND IT'S BAD I CAN SEE A BIG LOST IN FUEL CONSUMPTION FULL TANK DOESN'T LAST A WEEK IT'S DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK AROUND 4 TO 12 MILES A DAY NEED HELP! *TR
FLOOR MAT DETACHED FROM FLOOR; RIDES UP UNDER AND TRAPS ACCELERATOR. *TR
FOR A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS IN EARLY JANUARY 2013 MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I COULD SMELL WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS RAW GASOLINE WHEN WE DROVE OUR 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. IT WOULD TYPICALLY TAKE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER WE STARTED THE ENGINE FOR THE SMELL OF GAS TO BECOME VERY STRONG, EVEN OVERWHELMING. ALTHOUG…
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FOR A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS IN EARLY JANUARY 2013 MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I COULD SMELL WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS RAW GASOLINE WHEN WE DROVE OUR 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. IT WOULD TYPICALLY TAKE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER WE STARTED THE ENGINE FOR THE SMELL OF GAS TO BECOME VERY STRONG, EVEN OVERWHELMING. ALTHOUGH IT COULD STILL BE SICKENING, THE PROBLEM WOULD IMPROVE SOMEWHAT AFTER WE DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER WE CAREFULLY REFUELED THE CAR ON TWO OR THREE OCCASIONS WE CONCLUDED THAT THE ISSUE DEFINITELY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SPILLED FUEL OR THE FUEL CAP. WE WERE VERY CONCERNED THAT WHETHER OR NOT THE SITUATION LED TO A FIRE, WE WERE ALL BEING MADE VERY SICK BY THE PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED THE SUBARU DEALER WHERE WE HAVE OUR FORESTER SERVICED AND DROPPED OFF THE CAR FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT. WE WERE QUICKLY CONTACTED AND TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THAT BECAUSE THE FUEL LINES RAN UNDER THE TURBOCHARGER THE REPAIR WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE (AND IT WAS). AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT QUICKLY BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NOT ONLY FORESTERS, BUT FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS AS WELL. BEING THAT THIS IS (BY ANY STANDARD) A COMMON PROBLEM ARISING FROM THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, THAT THERE IS NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES ON THREAT OF FIRE OR ILLNESS, THAT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR DUE TO ANY KIND OF MISUSE OR NEGLECT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MADE FOR ALL SUBARUS THAT EXPERIENCE LEAKING FUEL SYSTEMS (NOT JUST THE WRX). BECAUSE THE REPAIR IS SO EXPENSIVE, AND SO MANY OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES LACK ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, I AM CONCERNED THERE ARE MANY OWNERS WHO WILL ATTEMPT THE REPAIR THEMSELVES OR HAVE THE WORK DONE BY TECHNICIANS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT A SAFETY RECALL IS MADE AND OWNERS ARE NOTIFIED BEFORE ANYONE IS HARMED. *TR
NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORESTER XS, CAUSING HEADACHES TO MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS RAW GAS POOLING ON THE MANIFOLD. HE SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE - LEAKING FUEL LINES DUE TO THE COLD (IT WAS 12 DEGREES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT). HE NOT…
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NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORESTER XS, CAUSING HEADACHES TO MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS RAW GAS POOLING ON THE MANIFOLD. HE SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE - LEAKING FUEL LINES DUE TO THE COLD (IT WAS 12 DEGREES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT). HE NOTED THAT THIS WAS THE WORST LEAK HE HAS SEEN. LOOKING AT A $700 BILL. I HAVE SINCE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WONDERING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WOULD BECOME STRONGER WHEN THE CONTACT WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WOULD BECOME STRONGER WHEN THE CONTACT WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
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.