10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,778 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Subaru Forester drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #9

Mar 282020

Forester

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 to full throttle and rapidly accelerated across the driveway for a few seconds before being stopped by collision with a granite post. Operator could not brake hard enough to stop the vehicle in time. Driver injured in crash.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #8

May 172017

Forester

  • 160,000 miles
Driving home from gym, I noticed the clutch pedal was not engaging the clutch making shifting difficult. Eventually returned home safely and upon inspection, I noticed a large firewall crack near the clutch master cylinder. The large firewall crack compromised the clutch pedal function. Also, fear of possibility of brake pedal failure and possible exposure to engine bay fumes. I spoke to a Subaru service advisor and suggested to "bring-in" for inspection. Enroute to the dealer waiting for the green light on the main street, depressed the clutch pedal and felt a snap then my clutch pedal play is none. Looked on the floor of my car to see what fell/detached, and it looked like part of the pedal bracket that attached to the clutch master cylinder. I eventually towed my car to the dealer. Are firewall supposed to crack?

- Franklin Park, IL, USA

problem #7

Sep 182015

Forester

  • 170,000 miles
The turbocharger broke twice in the 2D quarter 2015. Shortly after the second time it was fixed, the car caught fire over the turbocharger unit (while being driven 9/18/15), under the hood. New Subaru have been recalled for this reason, but I think the replacement turbocharger was defective. The Subaru turbo fp # was 14411aa5329L.

- Block Island, RI, USA

problem #6

Jun 212013

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started the car, put my foot on the brake, and attempted to move it into gear. It would not move out of park. The release was broken. Eventually I had to call a tow truck because I could not get it into gear. It has been to jack williams tire in camp hill, pa 17011 3-4 times since then for the same issue.

- Enola, PA, USA

problem #5

Jan 152014

Forester 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
In very cold weather (less than 10 F) the rubber gas lines leak very significant amounts of gas onto the engine and verynear the hot turbocharger. Another Subaru just caught fire in the O'neill tunnel. boston.cbslocal.com/2014/01/27/car-fire-causes-backup-in-oneill-tunnel/

- Grafton, MA, USA

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problem #4

Mar 092012

Forester

  • 119,000 miles
There has been a continuous oil leak from my 2004 Subaru Forester xs. My mechanic diagnosed the problem as a leak in the main seal between the transmission and the engine. This is not normal and it will cost me $1,000 to fix because the transmission will have to be removed. There are other complaints registered about similar oil leaks in this model year. Subaru should investigate.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #3

Oct 092011

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Backing out of drive way, lower control arm failed, tearing the cv joint out. Upon inspection the control arm had rusted through at its joint.

- South Haven, MI, USA

problem #2

Jul 252006

Forester

  • miles
2004 Forester xt stalled, had loss of power during acceleration and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times but they were unable to diagnose and repair the problem.

- Encino, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012004

Forester

  • miles
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. The Subaru dealer offered the consumer $1500 to 2,000 dollars toward trading his vehicle in for another vehicle. Offer expires Oct 31,2004

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

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