2004 Forest River ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 2004 Forest River Forester, most often about the tires. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Forest River Forester has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires20
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2004 Forest River Forester recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 08V-346 · Jul 7, 2008 · 107,417 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 04V-276 · Jun 1, 2004 · 2,010 vehicles

Risk. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Forest River.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Forester year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ON OUR 2ND TRIP WITH OUR 24FT ROCKWOOD 5TH WITH ONLY 500 MILES ON IT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, SIZE ST205/75R14 I HAD CHECKED TRIES BEFORE LEAVING SAW NOTHING WRONG, CONTACTED MIKE AT FOREST RIVER HE SAID HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARLISLE TIRES. MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER GVW IS…
Complaint 10112706 · Mar 8, 2005
PURCHASE A NEW '04 SANDPIPER 5TH WHEEL IN AUG '03. MADE TWO LOCAL TRIPS THAT PUT APPROXIMATELY 1500 MILES ON THE TIRES/UNIT. KEEP ALL THE WHEELS COVERED WHILE IN STORAGE. CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION PRIOR TO LEAVING ON A TRIP FROM S. CA THAT WOULD GO THROUGH TETONS, YELLOWSTONE, RUSHMORE, THEN…
Complaint 10080831 · Jul 12, 2004

Own a 2004 Forester?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.