Is the 2004 Subaru Forester a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Subaru Forester are in line with other Forester years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Forester owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 107,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 124 (57%) | 72k–130k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 38 (17%) | 76k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 25 (11%) | 95k–175k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 21 (10%) | 44k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 12 (5%) | 33k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 107,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 219 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The smell of fuel became obvious after a 10-15 minute drive. Upon examination, there was fuel dripping from a fuel line.
Very strong fuel smell in the car with heater on so strong have to roll window down. Happens 2 to 3 times a week on cold days.
Fuel leak in lines above engine but below intake during colder weather. Fuel fumes pulled into vehicle by heating system.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 107,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Subaru Forester: 2
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. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine compartment.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 71
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Subaru Forester. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines
DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models
SOA is pleased to announce the launch of a new remanufactured turbocharger program
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Front suspension control arm failure
Neighbouring years
2003 Forester: 189 complaints, keep it · 2005 Forester: 93 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Forester year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Forester years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Subaru Forester a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years. At 107,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Forester?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (124), engine (38), suspension (25), air bags (21), speed control (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Forester have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 11V-464), Engine (NHTSA 04V-473). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.