2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,111 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2004 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #9

Mar 142022

Forester

  • miles

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

Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #8

Jan 102015

Forester

  • miles
Anytime the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit there's a strong smell of gasoline inside the cab of the vehicle. When looking under the hood I can see it dripping out of something underneath the intake manifold. Severe gas leak. Nauseous and dangerous fumes.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #7

Dec 302017

Forester

  • miles
Cspc: The weld that connects the main part of the rack to the portion that enters the hitch cracked, resulting in the bikes dragging in the road until we could pull over. The rack then snapped off completely. At the time, we had three bikes worth about $2,500 each on the rack, and more seriously, this could have caused a catastrophic accident had the rack snapped off with another car directly behind us. F

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #6

Oct 012015

Forester

  • 135,000 miles

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

When temps drop there is a strong smell of gas in the cabin, doesn't go away and people get very sick. It doesn't matter if it's in motion, stopped, anywhere, and nothing causes it to go away until well into spring time or warmer weather.

- Kellogg, ID, USA

problem #5

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

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problem #4

Dec 162016

Forester

  • 90,000 miles
In very cold weather, there is a strong gasoline smell inside the car that remains as the car warms up. This only occurs when temperatures are well below freezing.

- Helena, MT, USA

problem #3

Oct 252011

Forester 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

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

Gas lines leak on 2004 Subaru Forester xt when ambient temperatures fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Significant amounts of fuel leak into the engine area, and strong fumes enter the passenger area. NHTSA has already issued a tsb on the Subaru wxt regarding the same problem. Concerned about fire hazard and inhalation of gasoline vapors. Very strong odor. Could not continue to drive.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 102011

Forester 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
Had timing belt replaced on 2004 Forester turbo as recommended on maintenance, schedule, next day on highway, loud screeching noise and lose of power. Stopped driving towed to mechanic. Said it was blown turbo. Never notified of banjo bolt issue, Subaru should recall or remedy situation at their cost.

- Henniker , NH, USA

problem #1

Feb 012005

Forester 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle generated excessive static shock. The accelerator became stuck. There were times when the vehicle would go no more than 15- 20 mph.

- Saylorsburg, PA, USA

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