RecallMyCar

2004 Subaru Forester Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2004 Subaru Forester, and owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
219
owner complaints to NHTSA
13 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
18–21
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2004 Subaru Forester

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 11V464000 Reported 318,215 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    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,…

    Remedy: 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…

  2. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 04V473000 Reported 26 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Subaru Forester have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA; 13 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 98,720 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 40 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“leaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 28, 2024 · Fuel/propulsion system

“The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and extended to the floor, causing the braking distance to be extende”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 30, 2023 · Structure

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2004 Subaru Forester (Forester AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18–21 mpg
City / Highway16–19 / 21–25
FuelPremium, Regular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine4 cyl, 2.5 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Subaru Forester model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Forester model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1998 Subaru Forester1101
1999 Subaru Forester1131
2000 Subaru Forester075
2001 Subaru Forester0139
2002 Subaru Forester188
2003 Subaru Forester3189
2004 Subaru Forester2219
2005 Subaru Forester193
2006 Subaru Forester288
2007 Subaru Forester174
2008 Subaru Forester150
2009 Subaru Forester17178
2010 Subaru Forester17262
2011 Subaru Forester16147
2012 Subaru Forester15105
2013 Subaru Forester1277
2014 Subaru Forester2403
2015 Subaru Forester3615
2016 Subaru Forester3415
2017 Subaru Forester1587
2018 Subaru Forester3498
2019 Subaru Forester3833
2020 Subaru Forester0601
2021 Subaru Forester0209
2022 Subaru Forester198
2023 Subaru Forester174
2024 Subaru Forester229
2025 Subaru Forester396
2026 Subaru Forester324

Checking a specific 2004 Subaru Forester

How do I know if my 2004 Subaru Forester has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2004 Subaru Forester; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V473000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Subaru models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.