2004 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Forester. This model year has 219 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Fuel/Propulsion System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Fuel System
Gasoline
Considering a 2004 Subaru Forester?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 63 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 61 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 61 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 39 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 25 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 21 | 4 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 5 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 219 most recent complaints
leaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather
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…
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 i…
Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off
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 th…
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. MOS…
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 …
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…
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
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…
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…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS TURNED OUTWARD. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIN…
HELLO, THIS IS THE SECOND 04 SUBARU FORESTER I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS A FAULTY SOLDER AIRBAG CONNECTION CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND LIKELY DISABLING SOME OR ALL OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THAT IS VERY HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT MOST OF THESE 03-04 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED. WHY IS THERE …
12-2017; DRIVING , STRAIGHT AT 40MPH, STATE HIGHWAY, RIGHT CONTROL ARM SNAPPED , ALMOST LOST CONTROL, RIGHT TIRE WAS BOUNCING BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP. TOWED CAR TO SUBARU DEALER , CARBONE, UTICA, NY. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA CASE # 1-28524133057. WAS DIRECTED TO HAVE DEALER IN…
HAVE GAS SMELL WHICH I CANNOT FIND THAT IS ONGOING. I DID HAVE A GAS LINE REPAIR ON A GAS PRESSURE LINE THAT BURST THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BUT STILL HAVE AN ONGOING GAS SMELL WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK. I SEE MANY COMPLAINT REGARDING GAS SMELL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO…
THE RUBBER INJECTOR LINES RUNNING BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE TURBOCHARGED (XT) MODEL, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, ARE WELL KNOWN TO DEVELOP A DANGEROUS LEAK. EITHER THE RUBBER DRIES OUT OR THE FACTORY CLAMPS LOOSEN UP OVER TIME, LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A V…
DURING COLD WEATHER, WHILE AT A STOP AND IN MOTION, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SOURCE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUELS LINES AND SPECIFICALLY THE FITTINGS ON THE LINES. DURING COLD WEATHER, EITHER THE FITTINGS OR THE HOSES CONTRACT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK IN T…
MY DAUGHTER (DRIVER) AND A PASSENGER PULLED SLOWLY OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HEADING OFF TO COLLEGE (100 MILES AWAY) BUT JUST AFTER PULLING OUT IN THE STREET, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF HER 2004 SUBARU FORESTER BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST/CORROSION. I WAS ABLE TO…
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 CONTACT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND BECAME JAMMED IN THE WHEEL BED. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AFTER CROSSING LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2004 Subaru Forester
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Subaru Forester has 219 NHTSA owner complaints, 13 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Fuel/Propulsion System (63 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Fuel/Propulsion System (63 complaints). #2: Fuel System (61 complaints). #3: Gasoline (61 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2004 Subaru Forester has 13 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 219 total NHTSA complaints. 8 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2004 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Fuel/Propulsion System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.