2004 Subaru Forester — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2004: 219 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1998	101
1999	131
2000	75
2001	139
2002	88
2003	189
2004	219
2005	93
2006	88
2007	72
2008	50
2009	178
2010	262
2011	147
2012	105
2013	77
2014	403
2015	611
2016	405
2017	579
2018	487
2019	831
2020	592
2021	207
2022	93
2023	69
2024	28
2025	78
2026	11

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29%

29% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 63 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200329

leaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather

NHTSA ODI report, 20240328

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 26%

26% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200329

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161014

SUSPENSION 9%

9% of complaints: suspension — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

HAVING SEEN THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER USERS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150210

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 219

R 20041008 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 04V473000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110923)

Front suspension control arm failure

R 20111231 — suspension

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 ORIGI

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 W

Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (63 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (58 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 04V473000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2015 ■ 2020

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FAQ

Is the 2004 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Subaru Forester is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Forester have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.