2004 Subaru Forester: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 219 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (26% of complaints); the 2002 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2023
“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 wasn't 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2021
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
“Control arms rotten out with front crash bars... Should be a recall on them as the control arms are about 200 each plus labor... And to find someone who has the front crash bars cause they rot out do to the ac leaking on them and rotten them out.... *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2020
“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 rapidly accelerated across the driveway for a few seconds before being stopped by collision with a granite post. Operator could not brake hard enough to stop the vehicle in time. Driver injured in crash.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that at start up, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a fuel leak under the front of the vehicle. Schlossmann subaru city of milwaukee located at 4640 s 27th st, milwaukee, wi 53221, (414) 459-3677 was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. While attempting to start the vehicle in cold weather, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2018
“My forester has begun to smell like gas when it is turned on while it is cold outside. A fuel line is leaking on the right side fuel rail. The fuel is leaking right next to the exhaust manifold and the turbo (see, really hot parts, see also, dangerous). This is a well known issue with the car and is a serious safety hazard. I do not believe it is right to require owners to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to keep their cars from bursting in to flames. Please see all the other complaints on this same issue and do something to protect and reimburse the owners of the vehicles for this safety issue. Thank you.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forester by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Subaru Forester reliable?
NHTSA has 219 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Subaru Forester. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Subaru Forester problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Subaru Forester have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower arm. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.