Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2004 Subaru forester has 28 NHTSA engine complaints and 1 engine-related recall.
28
Complaints
1
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
04V473000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2020 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HEAD GA... |
| Dec 13, 2016 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | FUEL LEAK IN LINES ABOVE ENGINE BUT BELOW INTAKE DURING COLDER WEATHER. FUEL FUMES PULLED INTO VEHIC... |
| Dec 7, 2016 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR E... |
| Oct 11, 2016 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREA... |
| Jan 5, 2015 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, HELLO, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORESTER XT WHICH I LOVE. I'VE OWNED T... |
| Nov 11, 2014 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | THE SMELL OF FUEL BECAME OBVIOUS AFTER A 10-15 MINUTE DRIVE. UPON EXAMINATION, THERE WAS FUEL DRIPPI... |
| Feb 12, 2014 | ENGINE | 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE AND TURBO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. IT IS C... |
| Jan 7, 2014 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 20 DEGREES OR SO) THE FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COME LOOSE AND LEA... |
| Jan 7, 2014 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | FUEL AND EXHAUST LINE LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER. OVER THE INITIAL THREE DAY PERIOD - DAY ONE CHILDREN ... |
| Jan 4, 2013 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THIS BEGAN WINTER OF 2013, WHICH I HAD REPAIRED ... |
| Jan 1, 2013 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE UPON STARTING THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.... |
| Sep 4, 2012 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT LEAK OF OIL COMI... |
| Aug 30, 2012 | ENGINE | THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SEIZED WHILE ON A FREEWAY WITHOUT A SINGLE WARNING LIGHT REGARDING HIGH TE... |
| Jan 10, 2012 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR (2004 SUBARU FORESTER XS) THAT HAPPENED IN COL... |
| Apr 1, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5XS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A HEAD GASKET LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *TGW ... |
| Feb 10, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED ON 2004 FORESTER TURBO AS RECOMMENDED ON MAINTENANCE,SCHEDULE, NEXT DAY ON ... |
| Dec 1, 2010 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN DEVELOPED WHEN OPERATING ON COLD MORNINGS; FUEL ODOR TYPICALLY WENT AW... |
| Jun 19, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW EXCLUSIVE DEALERSHIPS REPAIRS *TGW TH... |
| Mar 17, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | THIS CAR HAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBE... |
| Jan 14, 2010 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | I PURCHASED A 2004 SUBARU FORRESTER XT IN FEBRUARY OF '09 WITH 93,008 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP HA... |