Worst 2004 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ENGINE
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 63 | 1 | — | 120,197 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 58 | 1 | — | 94,013 mi | |
| ENGINE | 23 | 1 | 1 | 104,056 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 20 | 1 | — | 138,605 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 19 | 3 | — | 67,453 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 | 4 | — | 52,444 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 | 1 | 1 | 114,800 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 | — | — | 108,200 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 | — | — | 100,125 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 | 1 | 2 | 58,822 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 | 1 | — | 25,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 90,233 mi | |
| WHEELS | 3 | — | — | 129,308 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 2 | — | — | 69,968 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 1 | — | 160,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 2 | — | — | 36,551 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 2 | — | — | 145,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 | — | — | 51,000 mi | |
| TIRES | 2 | — | — | 11,962 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 | — | — | 25,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 | — | — | 29,500 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 102,323 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 | — | — | 300 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 | — | — | 101,312 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 | — | — | 159,400 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 1 | — | — | 39,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 1 | — | — | 25,300 mi |
Recalls for 2004 Subaru Forester
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~318,215 vehicles.
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.
Other Subaru Forester Years
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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.
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