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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2004 Subaru ForesterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Forester. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (63) and fuel system, gasoline (61). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2011
Owner complaints
219
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 6, 2011NHTSA 11V464000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 1, 2004NHTSA 04V473000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

219 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2004 – Mar 2024
  1. Fuel/propulsion system63
  2. Fuel system, gasoline61
  3. Suspension25
  4. Engine23
  5. Air bags21
  6. Engine and engine cooling16
  7. Power train12
  8. Vehicle speed control12
  9. Structure4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forester model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998101
1999134
200075
2001142
200292
2003191
2004219
200593
200688
200774
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012106
201378
2014403
2015616
2016416
2017592
2018498
2019834
2020603
2021214
2022100
202374
202431
2025100
202634
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

63 reports1 crash
“THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RUBBER HOSES, AND THEY CAUSE FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE CB VIA CLIMATE CONTROL. IT IS A VERY STRONG ODOR, THAT REQUIRES ME TO EITHER DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OR WAIT FOR THE CAR TO CLEAR OUT THE FUEL ODOR OUT OF THE CABIN. MOSTLY OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER DAYS. ONCE ENGINE WARMS UP, ODOR FADES AWAY. MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR CARS SAY IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11406648

Fuel system, gasoline

61 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE OPERATING THE HEATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MID-HUDSON SUBARU (1715 U.S. 9, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590 (866) 678-2048) SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO LEAKS OR FAILURES WERE DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FINALLY DETECTED A FUEL ODOR AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A MALFUNCTION WITH TUBING OR PIPING WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *TT *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2017Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11048212

Suspension

25 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2022Suspension, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11463133
All 2004 Forester problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172119$4,200468
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$4,400494
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 21 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Subaru Forester as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 1272
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Forester questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Forester have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Subaru Forester problems?

Owners filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (63), fuel system, gasoline (61), suspension (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Subaru Forester get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Subaru Forester at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026