Problems · by component

2004 Subaru Forester fuel/propulsion system problems

63 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Subaru Forester cite fuel/propulsion system, 29% of all 219 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
63
29% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“NEOPREEN HOSE TO THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING. THIS HOSE IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE LEAK CAUSED FUEL TO RUN ALL OVER ENGINE, WHICH WAS THEN DRAWN INTO THE CABIN VIA THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AND RAW FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ONCE STOPPED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11391059
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2020Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11319673
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SCHLOSSMANN SUBARU CITY OF MILWAUKEE LOCATED AT 4640 S 27TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53221, (414) 459-3677 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11298419
“HAVE GAS SMELL WHICH I CANNOT FIND THAT IS ONGOING. I DID HAVE A GAS LINE REPAIR ON A GAS PRESSURE LINE THAT BURST THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BUT STILL HAVE AN ONGOING GAS SMELL WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK. I SEE MANY COMPLAINT REGARDING GAS SMELL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO I AM ALSO POSTING. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL REGARDING GAS SMELL BUT WITH ALL THE COPLAINTS THERE SHOULD BE ONE. ITS UNKNOWN AS TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11206030
“THE RUBBER INJECTOR LINES RUNNING BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE TURBOCHARGED (XT) MODEL, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, ARE WELL KNOWN TO DEVELOP A DANGEROUS LEAK. EITHER THE RUBBER DRIES OUT OR THE FACTORY CLAMPS LOOSEN UP OVER TIME, LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS AN ISSUE ON THE IMPREZA BUT YOU FORGOT ABOUT FOERESTER OWNERS, SUBARU! SHAME ON YOU.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2018Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11161910

Showing 6 of 63 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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

Other 2004 Forester problem areas