2004 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 219 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 13 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armSep 6, 2011
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.
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign 11V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingOct 1, 2004
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.
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.
Campaign 04V473000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jun 15, 2019
HELLO, THIS IS THE SECOND 04 SUBARU FORESTER I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS A FAULTY SOLDER AIRBAG CONNECTION CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON AND LIKELY DISABLING SOME OR ALL OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THAT IS VERY HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT MOST OF THESE 03-04 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY FAILURE? BELOW IS THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. ATTACHED IS A PDF OF THE TSB FOR THIS ISSUE. HI [XXX], THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OF ASSISTANCE. I CAN CONFIRM THAT I HAVE DOCUMENTED THE CONCERNS YOU HAVE RELATED TO YOUR VEHICLE, INCLUDING YOUR REQUEST TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED CONCERNING THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN TSB 17-07-04. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US BY REPLYING TO THIS EMAIL OR CALLING US AT 1-800-782-2783. SINCERELY, [XXX] SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. CUSTOMER/RETAILER SERVICES DEPARTMENT 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Structure, Feb 10, 2015, crash
HAVING SEEN THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER USERS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. RELEVANT TO LET THE PROPER AUTHORITIES KNOW OF A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH NO AIRBAGS (NOR FRONT NOR SIDE) DEPLOYED WITH A RESULTING FATALITY. *TR
Air bags, Aug 26, 2014
SINCE 2009 THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON AFTER I HAVE STARTED THE CAR. IT WILL STAY ON FOR DAYS, WHETHER IT IS HOT SUMMER TIME OR COLD WINTER DAYS. IT MAY STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS OR FOR MONTHS. THE LAST TIME WAS FROM JULY 19, 2014 TO AUGUST 25, 2014. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE LIST OF VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS. SEEING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINING ON ENCOURAGES ME TO SUBMIT MY HISTORY ALSO. WHEN IT HAS BEEN ON, I THINK I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEN IT GOES OFF BEFORE I CAN TAKE THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER. SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I ALSO THINK SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Aug 1, 2014
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED FOR WEEKS AT A TIME AND THEN WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD THE PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST YEAR. I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR SUBARU, THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jul 8, 2014
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT HAS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. IT STAYS ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER IN ROCHESTER, MN (CLEMENTS). THEY SAY IT WILL COST $3000 TO INSTALL A BRAND NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM. I DISAGREE. THIS IS AN INHERENT , SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE CAR. IN MY OPINION, SUBARU SHOULD FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SAFETY ADVISORY FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. YOUR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
Air bags, Mar 19, 2014
MY CAR WAS PARKED. WHEN I GOT IN CAR AND TURNED KEY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS NOT HIT OR IN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, May 24, 2011
FOR THREE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYING ILLUMINATED. ACCORDING TO SUBARU SERVICE, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. ON THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE UNDER-SEAT CONNECTIONS FOR THE AIRBAGS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. SINCE THESE CONNECTIONS ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT THEY SHOULD NOT CORRODE UNLESS THE EQUIPMENT IS DEFECTIVE. SINCE THIS DEFECT REPRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK, THERE SHOULD BE A CORRECTIVE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Mar 16, 2011
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS ADJUSTED, ( THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, & SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR WEEKS AT A TIME). WHEN ASK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WANTED OVER $170 TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON,THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN AUBURN, WA. SINCE WE STILL OWN THIS CAR, WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, WE THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.
Air bags, Sep 22, 2010
THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON AND OFF FOR PERIODS OF DAYS AT A TIME. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY YEARS. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SUBARU DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED IT DID NOT LIGHT UP FOR THEM DURING THEIR INSPECTION. IT THEN LIT UP FOR ME ON THE WAY HOME AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER FROM THE ROAD THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT AGAIN UNTIL I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT ASSURE THAT IT WILL BE ON FOR THEM WHEN THEY GET THE CAR. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM #17-07-04. THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST CHECKED TO SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FURTHER MY MECHANIC SAID THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 13, 2010
THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT FIRST CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 82000 MILES AND AT FIRST IT WAS INTERMITTENT. AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS, IT HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY LIT WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. I HAVE NOTED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. THE LIGHT DOES NOT BOTHER ME, BUT THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DOES CONCERN ME GREATLY. *TR
Air bags, Jul 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE AIR BAG PLUGS THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG WIRING WAS NOT CONTACTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS POTENTIALLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10015705: AIR BAGS) BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,500.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2010
THE AIR BAG LIGHT SEEMS TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD. THE LIGHT GOES OFF ON ITS OWN USUALLY WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED BACK BUT WE HAVE NOT DETECTED ANY PATTERNS. *TR
Air bags, Jul 9, 2008
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS MOVED. THE CONNECTOR WIRE UNDER THE SEAT MUST BE CAUSE BUT THE DEALER WILL CHARGE $600.00 FOR REPAIR THAT THEY STATE MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ONE OR TWO YEARS OLD. A SEARCH OF YOUR RECORDS SHOWS THE EXACT PROBLEM IN COMPLAINT #10196583, AND IS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF COMPLAINT #'S 10149296 AND 10101059. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 3, 2008
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MALFUNCTION. THE CONNECTOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND IS CONSTANTLY STRESSED BY SEAT MOVEMENT OR CONTACT BY THE DRIVER'S FEET. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS CHRONICALLY BUT INTERMITTENTLY ON. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST IDENTIFIED WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR OLD. THE REPAIR OF THE CONNECTOR WAS EVENTUALLY INEFFECTIVE. WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAGS ARE INACTIVE AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Jul 17, 2007
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY BEFORE THE WARRANTY ON THE ITEM RAN OUT. DEALER CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND LIGHT WENT OUT. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME AGAIN. CHECKED CONNECTION, LIGHT WENT OUT. LIGHT STARTED GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOW WAS ON STEADILY. GOGGLING 2004 FORESTER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT WAS A POOR DESIGN THAT EXPOSED THE CONNECTOR TO DAMAGE BY FEET OR OTHER OBJECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK
Air bags, Feb 2, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH SEATBELTS WERE WORN THE TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2005, crash
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. APPROXIMATE SPEED OF CAR 10 MPH. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE. LOOKED DOWN SAW THAT GAS PEDAL WAS TO FLOOR. CAR ACCELERATED INTO BRICK BUILDING. AS QUICKLY AS IT ACCELERATED IT STOPPED. WAS ABLE TO REVERSE CAR INTO PARKING SPACE. HOLE IN BUILDING DAMAGING ELECTRICITY FOR BUILDING. ENTIRE BUILDING WITHOUT ELECTRICITY FOR ENTIRE DAY. BUILDING HAS A 5' X 5' HOLE IN WALL AND CRACKS DOING UP AND DOWN AND AROUND CORNER OF BUILDING. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP SINCE SUBARU(FORESTER 2004) DOES NOT DO REPAIRS. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY MECHANIC WHO SAID HE COULD SEE NO VISIBLE REASON WHY GAS PEDAL STUCK. FRAME OF CAR IN TACK, ESTIMATED DAMAGE $3600. CAR WILL BE REPAIRED AND SHIPPED TO SUBARU FOR INSPECTION PRIOR TO REPOSSESSION OF CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT ENGAGE DURING ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, STEPPED ON BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED. IT TOOK BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS WINTER AND I SLID ON ICE, OR PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL THE SECOND OCCURANCE.
Air bags, Jan 31, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 28 MPH A HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Nov 5, 2004
FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *BF 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON FELL OFF. OPENING OF THE FUEL DOOR WAS AND CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE. *TC *JB