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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
40,000 miles · Jul 17, 2007
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY BEFORE THE WARRANTY ON THE ITEM RAN OUT. DEALER CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND LIGHT WENT OUT. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME AGAIN. CHECKED CONNECTION, LIGHT WENT OUT. LIGHT STARTED GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOW WAS ON STEADILY. GOGGLING 2004 FORESTER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.…

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AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY BEFORE THE WARRANTY ON THE ITEM RAN OUT. DEALER CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND LIGHT WENT OUT. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME AGAIN. CHECKED CONNECTION, LIGHT WENT OUT. LIGHT STARTED GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOW WAS ON STEADILY. GOGGLING 2004 FORESTER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT WAS A POOR DESIGN THAT EXPOSED THE CONNECTOR TO DAMAGE BY FEET OR OTHER OBJECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196583

67,000 miles · Jun 28, 2007
Suspension

RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 31000 MILESIN NOVEMBER 2005, AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. AT 67000 MILESIN JUNE 2007, BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR RECEIVED ALL RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES AND SERVICES. IS ONLY USED FOR HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10194884

25,300 miles · Apr 10, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

HOOD LATCH RELEASED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. OCCURRED TWICE IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN COMING OFF A BRIDGE AND THE ROAD BUMP CAUSED THE HOOD TO POP UP ONE INCH. THE SECONDARY LATCH CONTINUED TO OPERATE, BUT THIS COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE HOOD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187503

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2004 FORESTER XT STALLED, HAD LOSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION AND JERKED VIOLENTLY. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171175

43,500 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH SEATBELTS WERE WORN THE TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #10149296

29,500 miles · Dec 26, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 10 DEGREES F., CAR WILL NOT START OR STARTS ONLY WITH GREATEST DIFFICULTY. LAST YEAR(2004), SAME SORT OF STARTING PROBLEM WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A CRACKED IGNITION COIL. THIS YEAR DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM, ALSO CAN'T EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146080

300 miles · Sep 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXCESSIVE SULFUR DIOXIDE ODOR (ROTTEN EGG). COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX CONVERTER, BLAMES FUEL. CONVERTER SHOULD HANDLE THE SULFUR CONTENT OF FUEL, REGARDLESS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135302

15,000 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Seats

1. NO FAILURE YET. CENTER, REAR PASSENGER, ROOF MOUNTED, SEATBELT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED ON A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER X. 2. 10LB TUG ON THE CENTER, REAR PASSENGER, ROOF MOUNTED, SEATBELT ON A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER X WILL CAUSE THE HEADLINER TO CAVE. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR UNIT FOUND THAT IT'S MOUNTED…

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1. NO FAILURE YET. CENTER, REAR PASSENGER, ROOF MOUNTED, SEATBELT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED ON A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER X. 2. 10LB TUG ON THE CENTER, REAR PASSENGER, ROOF MOUNTED, SEATBELT ON A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER X WILL CAUSE THE HEADLINER TO CAVE. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR UNIT FOUND THAT IT'S MOUNTED ON A THIN GAUGE METAL (BENDABLE) FLAP BOLTED TO THE ROOF WITH ONE BOLT. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN YET. IT'S A NEW ITEM PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10134028

14,394 miles · Jul 12, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

DT: CONTACT STATES HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE ON 1-22-05. THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 14,394. THERE ARE NOW 21,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR CYLINDER ON THE CAR. THIS WAS COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HE HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. HE HAS ALSO TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. ON 4-7-05…

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DT: CONTACT STATES HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE ON 1-22-05. THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 14,394. THERE ARE NOW 21,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR CYLINDER ON THE CAR. THIS WAS COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HE HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. HE HAS ALSO TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. ON 4-7-05 HE HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES AGAIN AT 17,151. THE MANUFACTURER WAS RUDE TO HIM AND SAID HE HAD WAITED A LONG TIME TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128461

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2005
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. APPROXIMATE SPEED OF CAR 10 MPH. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE. LOOKED DOWN SAW THAT GAS PEDAL WAS TO FLOOR. CAR ACCELERATED INTO BRICK BUILDING. AS QUICKLY AS IT ACCELERATED IT STOPPED. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE CAR INTO PARKING SPACE. HOLE IN BUILDING DAMAGING…

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PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. APPROXIMATE SPEED OF CAR 10 MPH. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE. LOOKED DOWN SAW THAT GAS PEDAL WAS TO FLOOR. CAR ACCELERATED INTO BRICK BUILDING. AS QUICKLY AS IT ACCELERATED IT STOPPED. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE CAR INTO PARKING SPACE. HOLE IN BUILDING DAMAGING ELECTRICITY FOR BUILDING. ENTIRE BUILDING WITHOUT ELECTRICITY FOR ENTIRE DAY. BUILDING HAS A 5' X 5' HOLE IN WALL AND CRACKS DOING UP AND DOWN AND AROUND CORNER OF BUILDING. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP SINCE SUBARU(FORESTER 2004) DOES NOT DO REPAIRS. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY MECHANIC WHO SAID HE COULD SEE NO VISIBLE REASON WHY GAS PEDAL STUCK. FRAME OF CAR IN TACK, ESTIMATED DAMAGE $3600. CAR WILL BE REPAIRED AND SHIPPED TO SUBARU FOR INSPECTION PRIOR TO REPOSSESSION OF CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT ENGAGE DURING ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, STEPPED ON BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED. IT TOOK BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS WINTER AND I SLID ON ICE, OR PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL THE SECOND OCCURANCE.

NHTSA ODI #10118648

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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