2004 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
270
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2004 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 270 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (63 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (58 complaints), and Engine (23 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 318,241 vehicles.
Recall 11V464000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
| 318,215 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 04V473000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 26 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
270 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Subaru Tech Tips Special — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Subaru service and technical support line newsletter provides information on the next phase of TechShare.
04-13-09R — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK VALVE/GAUGE
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A VEHICLE THAT HAS A GROANING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE FULL RIGHT OR LEFT POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE RELIEF VALVE VIBRATING WITHIN THE PUMP. IN LIEU OF REPLACING...
029705 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ACTIVE VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM (AVCS) UNION SCREW FILTER. IF A ROUGH IDLE AND/OR RPM DOES NOT INCREASE SMOOTHLY THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE UNION SCREW FILTER OF THE ACTIVE VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM (AVCS) COULD BE DAMAGED AFFECTING THE OIL CONTROL VALVE. *TT
06 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATOR REMOVAL. SUBARU TECH TIPS. *TT
08302004 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AVAILABILITY OF HARNESS REPAIR AND CLIP KIT FOR SERVICE BULLETIN 17-07-04 SRS SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TT
09012003 — AIR BAGS
AIRBAG CONNECTORS WERE DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO GET APART FOR THE SIDE AIRBAG ON SOME VEHICLES. *SC
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 SUBARU FORESTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER
- 1999 SUBARU FORESTER — 156 complaints
- 2000 SUBARU FORESTER — 95 complaints
- 2001 SUBARU FORESTER — 169 complaints
- 2002 SUBARU FORESTER — 109 complaints
- 2003 SUBARU FORESTER — 238 complaints
- 2004 SUBARU FORESTER (current)
- 2005 SUBARU FORESTER — 105 complaints
- 2006 SUBARU FORESTER — 121 complaints
- 2007 SUBARU FORESTER — 89 complaints
- 2008 SUBARU FORESTER — 67 complaints
- 2009 SUBARU FORESTER — 228 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints