RecallRepo

2004 Subaru Forester Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Subaru Forester has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 318,241 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 11V464000 2011-09-06 318,215 affected
Defect

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, …

Consequence

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 04V473000 2004-10-01 26 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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.

Complaints by component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
63
1crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
58
1crashes
ENGINE
23
1crashes1fires1injuries
SUSPENSION
20
1crashes
AIR BAGS
19
3crashes3injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
4crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN
9
1crashes1fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
1crashes2fires
Total complaints270

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

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

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2024-03-28

“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…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2023-01-01

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · reported 2023-01-01

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2022-03-23

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2022-03-23

“Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off”

SUSPENSION · reported 2022-03-14

“Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2022-03-14

“Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off”

ENGINE · reported 2022-03-14

Defect investigations

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Subaru Forester as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.