2004 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
219 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 188 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 219 complaints (28.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 34 | 15.5% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 63 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 58 |
| Engine | 23 |
| Suspension | 20 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 63; Fuel System, Gasoline: 58; Engine: 23; Suspension: 20; Air Bags: 19; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 38 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 62 |
| 150,000 and above | 30 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 38; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 62; 150,000 and above: 30
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 5; 2005: 9; 2006: 2; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 9; 2010: 24; 2011: 21; 2012: 11; 2013: 17; 2014: 40; 2015: 16; 2016: 16; 2017: 9; 2018: 14; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10095402 · 2004-09-04 (September 4, 2004)
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT HE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE. *NM THE SUBARU DEALER OFFERED THE CONSUMER $1500.00 TO 2,000 DOLLARS TOWARD TRADING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. OFFER EXPIRES OCT 31,2004 *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095404 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT HE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE IS MAKING A HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS FROM THE REDUCTION GEAR TEETH TRANSMISSION AND WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HER 1998 SUBARU FORRESTER THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND ENGINE DAMAGE. A FAU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101059 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *BF 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON FELL OFF. OPENING OF THE FUEL DOOR WAS AND CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE. *TC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104220 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, RESULTING FROM OIL LEAKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND BECAUSE OF PROXIMITY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES. SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) MAINTAINS THAT OIL LEAKED FROM OIL FILTER AND THAT THIS IS NO FAULT OF THEIRS. GIVEN THE HISTORY OF RECALLS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IN JAPAN FOR LEAKING OIL AND FIRES I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS POINT HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED. SOA REFUSED TO FIX DAMAGE AND TOLD ME TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM... WHICH I HAVE DONE. DAMAGE IS ESTIMATED TO BE $6-1…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,785 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104715 · 2004-12-29 (December 29, 2004)
CAR PRODUCING NOXIOUS ODOR INSIDE. WHEN PARKING CAR IN GARAGE, ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR RATHER THAN BRAKE. HIT AND DESTROYED BACK WALL. COSMETIC DAMAGE TO CAR. DEALER CLAIMS LEAVES WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THROUGH TURBOCHARGE INTAKE. BUT, ODOR WAS OF BURNT RUBBER OR PLASTIC, NOT LEAVES. AND, THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. FINALLY, MOST LEAVES WERE DOWN SEVERAL WEEKS EARLIER THIS YEAR, I.E., BY END OF NOVEMBER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107473 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
THERE IS TEAR BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE TIRE, WHICH IS CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO NOT MAINTAIN EASY CONTROL WHEN BEING DRIVEN. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 9,530 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109348 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT 28 MPH A HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111555 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)
THE VEHICLE GENERATED EXCESSIVE STATIC SHOCK. *NM THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD GO NO MORE THAN 15- 20 MPH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111555 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V473000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2004-10-01 (October 1, 2004)
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.
Consequence: IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V464000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2011-09-06 (September 6, 2011)
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.
Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗