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2004 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 219 owner complaints about the 2004 Subaru Forester, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2004 Subaru Forester
47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Forester median · #12 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21924 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage122kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 28, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Casey Hofford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Subaru Forester has problems

219 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
Fuel/propulsion system631
Fuel system, gasoline611
Suspension251
Engine232
Air bags214
Engine and engine cooling163
Vehicle speed control126
Power train122
Structure41
11 other systems203

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

2 recalls

2004 Subaru 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

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 11V-464 · Sep 6, 2011 · 318,215 vehicles

Risk. A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V-473 · Oct 1, 2004 · 26 vehicles

Risk. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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 Subaru.

Mileage at failure

When do fuel/propulsion system problems start?

122kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 56 fuel/propulsion system complaints. 30% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles17under 100k miles39100k miles or more
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

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Subaru Forester safety ratings

2004 Subaru Forester 4-DR.w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2004 Subaru Forester frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2004 Subaru Forester side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Subaru Forester, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Front suspension control arm failurePE11011 · closed Sep 23, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-464
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RUBBER HOSES, AND THEY CAUSE FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE CB VIA CLIMATE CONTROL. IT IS A VERY STRONG ODOR, THAT REQUIRES ME TO EITHER DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OR WAIT FOR THE CAR TO CLEAR OUT THE FUEL ODOR OUT OF THE CABIN. MOSTLY OCCURS DURING…
Complaint 11406648 · Apr 6, 2021 · 140,200 miles
NEOPREEN HOSE TO THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING. THIS HOSE IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE LEAK CAUSED FUEL TO RUN ALL OVER ENGINE, WHICH WAS THEN DRAWN INTO THE CABIN VIA THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AND RAW FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE…
Complaint 11391059 · Feb 1, 2021 · 97,000 miles
CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL FOR OPERATOR TO USE A PARKING LOT GATE MACHINE. THE ENGINE SURGED A LITTLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT SETTLED BACK DOWN. WHEN PARKING GATE OPENED THE OPERATOR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SURGED TO FULL THROTTLE AND…
Complaint 11319673 · Mar 29, 2020 · 57,000 miles

Own a 2004 Forester?

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