Model year record

2004 Subaru Forester recalls & problems

The 2004 Subaru Forester has 2 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (63 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints219filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Subaru Forester in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionSep 6, 2011

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 11V464000318,215 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Engine and engine coolingOct 1, 2004

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V47300026 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Subaru Forester 4-DR.w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	16.4%

2004 Subaru Forester NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Forester AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Forester AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Forester AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Forester AWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system	63	1	0	1	121,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	62	1	0	0	95,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	25	1	0	0	133,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	23	4	0	4	58,383 mi
Engine	23	1	1	1	110,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger	17	1	2	0	77,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl); Automatic transmission	12	1	1	1	93,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	12	5	0	3	50,500 mi
Unknown or other	9	0	0	0	106,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition	4	0	0	0	48,750 mi
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate; Body	4	1	0	0	45,102 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	3	1	0	0	28,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
leaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather
Mar 28, 2024
Structure
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and extended to the floor, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who discovered that the brake hoses had failed due to rusting and corrosion of the brake lines. The contact was also informed that the entire subframe had sustained extensive rust and corrosion damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Jan 1, 2023 · 28,000 miles
SuspensionCrash
My vehicle had a recall on the lower control arms that would rust and and break. That is exactly what happened while I was driving with my family. Control arm broke causing other parts to get destroyed. The fender breaks and other parts. The recall was performed before hand but it obviously wasnât repaired correctly because it caused me to crash. Dave wright auto Subaru retailer in Iowa is refusing to repair my failed recall attempt. Consumer stated failed repair caused the consumer to crash and damaged more of my vehicle.
Mar 23, 2022
Suspension
Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off
Mar 14, 2022
Suspension
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while having a routine safety check performed on the vehicle, she learned that the lower control was completely rusted. The contact learned that the repair was covered under a special coverage. The contact stated that because the vehicle was not registered in a stated listed for the special coverage, the vehicle was not eligible for the free repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
May 23, 2021 · 145,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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 COLD WEATHER DAYS. ONCE ENGINE WARMS UP, ODOR FADES AWAY. MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR CARS SAY IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARUS.
Nov 5, 2020 · 140,200 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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 ONCE STOPPED.
Jan 29, 2021 · 97,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HERB GORDON SUBARU (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (866) 520-7894) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE HEAD COVER GASKET WITH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V473000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COSTS FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Oct 16, 2020 · 161,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Front suspension control arm failureClosedLed to recall 11V464000
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…
PE11011 · opened Apr 7, 2011 · closed Sep 23, 2011