2004 Subaru Forester

219 complaints on file, page 1 of 11.

1. Filed Mar 28, 2024Failure Mar 28, 2024monroeville, PAFuel/propulsion system

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

   NHTSA complaint 11580020
2. Filed Jan 30, 2023Failure Jan 1, 202328,000 milesGainesville, FLService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

   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 extended. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who discovered that the brake hoses had failed due to rusting and corrosion of the brake lines. The contact was also informed that the entire subframe had sustained extensive rust and corrosion damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11504474
3. Filed May 2, 2022Failure Mar 23, 2022Eldon, IAService brakes, SuspensionCrash

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11463133
4. Filed Mar 14, 2022Failure Mar 14, 2022Seattle, WAEngine, Suspension, Unknown or other

   Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off

   NHTSA complaint 11456686
5. Filed May 24, 2021Failure May 23, 2021145,000 milesRound Hill, VASuspension

   The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while having a routine safety check performed on the vehicle, she learned that the lower control was completely rusted. The contact learned that the repair was covered under a special coverage. The contact stated that because the vehicle was not registered in a stated listed for the special coverage, the vehicle was not eligible for the free repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11418334
6. Filed Apr 6, 2021Failure Nov 5, 2020140,200 milesRidgewood, NYFuel/propulsion system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11406648
7. Filed Feb 1, 2021Failure Jan 29, 202197,000 milesCambridge, MAFuel/propulsion system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11391059
8. Filed Jan 12, 2021Failure Oct 16, 2020161,000 milesLaurel, MDEngine

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HERB GORDON SUBARU (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (866) 520-7894) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE HEAD COVER GASKET WITH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V473000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COSTS FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11387683
9. Filed Jun 18, 2020Failure May 30, 2020133,000 milesSloan, NYSuspension

   CONTROL ARMS ROTTEN OUT WITH FRONT CRASH BARS... SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM AS THE CONTROL ARMS ARE ABOUT 200 EACH PLUS LABOR... AND TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS THE FRONT CRASH BARS CAUSE THEY ROT OUT DO TO THE AC LEAKING ON THEM AND ROTTEN THEM OUT.... *TR

   NHTSA complaint 11329674
10. Filed Mar 29, 2020Failure Mar 28, 202057,000 milesCambridge, MAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power trainCrash1 injured

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11319673
11. Filed Jan 10, 2020Failure Nov 10, 2019101,000 milesNEW Berlin, WIFuel/propulsion system

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11298419
12. Filed Oct 31, 2019Failure Oct 15, 2019211,000 milesBethlehem, PASuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS TURNED OUTWARD. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ON HIS OWN AND REPLACED THE GEARING ASSEMBLY (AXLE SHAFT, LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND BOLT JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2012. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000. *LN PICTURES OF CONTROL ARM. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 11277340
13. Filed Jun 15, 2019Failure Jun 15, 201990,000 milesSeattle, WAAir bags

    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

    NHTSA complaint 11220309
14. Filed May 7, 2019Failure Dec 20, 2017130,650 milesMarcy, NYFuel/propulsion system

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11206030
15. Filed May 7, 2019Failure Dec 3, 2017130,214 milesMarcy, NYSuspension

    12-2017; DRIVING , STRAIGHT AT 40MPH, STATE HIGHWAY, RIGHT CONTROL ARM SNAPPED , ALMOST LOST CONTROL, RIGHT TIRE WAS BOUNCING BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP. TOWED CAR TO SUBARU DEALER , CARBONE, UTICA, NY. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA CASE # 1-28524133057. WAS DIRECTED TO HAVE DEALER INSPECT DAMAGE. DEALER INSPECTED DAMAGE RT. CONTROL ARM BROKEN, SEPERATED, FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY DAMAGED, STABILIZER LINK DAMAGED AND LEFT CONTROL ARM EXTREMELY RUSTED. SOA WILL PROVIDE ALL PARTS BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY LABOR. OK HAD WORK DONE, ALL PARTS WERE NEW EXCEPT AXLE (REFERB.) . NOTE; RUST COAT FIX WAS DONE 2012. PER RECALL. (SPRAY RUST PROOF ON AN ALREADY SUSPECT PART NOTED IN A NHTSA DIRECTIVE). PRESENT DAY: CALLED SOA AND INQUIRED AS TO WHY I HAD TO PAY LABOR? I RECENTLY NOTICED THE RECALL VERBAGE , STATES; REPAIRS WILL BE HANDLED BY DEALER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE. SOA SAID MY CAR IS TOO OLD AND HAS TOO MANY MILES ( 130, 214) AND WE GAVE YOU GOOD WILL. NO FURTHER GOOD WILL PROVIDED. AND SUBARU CLAIMS , '98 PERCENT OF SUBARU VEHICLES SOLD IN THE LAST 10 YEARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD TODAY.' ???? IS THIS AN ADMISSION THE VEHICLE HAS LONGEVITY? I PLAN ON DISCUSSING THIS FURTHER WITH THE SUBARU DEALER (CARBONE) AND IF NO SATISFACTION WILL FILE IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT TO GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS FREE SERVICE.

    NHTSA complaint 11206025
16. Filed Dec 17, 2018Failure Dec 1, 2017125,000 milesBangor, MEFuel/propulsion system

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11161910
17. Filed Dec 8, 2018Failure Jan 6, 201765,000 milesCommerce TWP., MIFuel/propulsion system

    DURING COLD WEATHER, WHILE AT A STOP AND IN MOTION, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SOURCE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FUELS LINES AND SPECIFICALLY THE FITTINGS ON THE LINES. DURING COLD WEATHER, EITHER THE FITTINGS OR THE HOSES CONTRACT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY, NEAR THE HOT HEADERS AND HOT TURBO.

    NHTSA complaint 11157009
18. Filed Nov 27, 2018Failure Nov 20, 2018112,600 milesImperial, MOSuspension

    MY DAUGHTER (DRIVER) AND A PASSENGER PULLED SLOWLY OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HEADING OFF TO COLLEGE (100 MILES AWAY) BUT JUST AFTER PULLING OUT IN THE STREET, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF HER 2004 SUBARU FORESTER BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST/CORROSION. I WAS ABLE TO INCH THE CAR BACK INTO MY GARAGE AND ON JACKS ONLY TO FIND THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF. I CHECKED THE OTHER LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM AND IT WAS VERY RUSTED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SUBARU DEALER. THE SUBARU DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT SUBARU RECALL WVX-34: FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM/TRANSVERSE LINK, ISSUED 09/11 HAD BEEN COMPLETED FOR THIS 2004 FORESTER IN 12/11. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT REPLACED IN 2011, BUT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE TREATED WITH THE RECALL-PRESCRIBED RUST/CORROSION PREVENTION. THIS "FIXED" RECALL LASTED ONLY 7 YEARS! INITIALLY, THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS; HOWEVER, AS I PLACED A CALL WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA), I RECEIVED ANOTHER PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT THEY CONTACTED THEIR "REP" AND AGREED TO PAY 50/50 TOWARDS THE COST OF REPLACING BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. I DISCUSSED THIS VERY UNSAFE ISSUE WITH TWO DIFFERENT SOA REPRESENTATIVES, ONE OF WHICH WAS A SUPERVISOR. SOA LET ME KNOW THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS A 2004. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? MY DAUGHTER WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A DEADLY 100 MILE TRIP IN THIS VEHICLE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN "FIXED" BY SUBARU JUST SEVEN YEARS PREVIOUS. HOW NEGLIGENT IS THIS, COMING FROM A COMPANY CLAIMING TO HAVE MORE CARS ON THE ROAD THAN ANYONE ELSE AND SAFER THAN OTHERS? I HAVE FOUR SUBARUS (04' FORESTER, 05' FORESTER XT, 08 TRIBECA LTD., AND 2010 IMPREZA) AND I'VE LOST MY FAITH IN THIS ORGANIZATION. THIS IS A DEADLY RECALL THAT SOA IS IGNORING.

    NHTSA complaint 11154321
19. Filed Nov 13, 2018Failure Nov 12, 2018160,000 milesStockton, CAFuel/propulsion system

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11151274
20. Filed Oct 24, 2018Failure Oct 20, 2018161,728 milesIdelbale, COSuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND BECAME JAMMED IN THE WHEEL BED. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AFTER CROSSING LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SHREDDED AND THE CV AXLE AND ROTOR WERE ALSO DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER ARM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (AUTONATION SUBARU WEST, 16351 W COLFAX AVE, GOLDEN, CO 80401, (303) 578-6120) AND A SEARCH WAS PERFORMED FOR THE RESULTS OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THE DEALER CONSIDERED THE REPAIR SUCCESSFUL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND THE FAILURES WERE UNRELATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,728. *TT

    NHTSA complaint 11142416