Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Subaru Forester

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 270 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V464000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
318,215
Reported to NHTSA
2011-09-06
Owners notified
2011-12-31

Defect description

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, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V473000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
26
Reported to NHTSA
2004-10-01
Owners notified
2004-10-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel/propulsion system63120,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline5894,800 mi
Engine23110,000 mi
Suspension20145,000 mi
Air bags1968,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1049,000 mi
Power train9119,000 mi
Unknown or other9106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling785,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine670,000 mi
Air bags: frontal325,000 mi
Electrical system368,000 mi
Wheels387,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger269,968 mi
Service brakes2160,000 mi
Structure228,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2102,000 mi
Suspension: rear251,000 mi
Tires29,530 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Air bags: side/window125,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition129,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1102,323 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1300 mi
Equipment1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1101,312 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1159,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap139,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch125,300 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: manual transmission150,000 mi
Seat belts176,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic156,180 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip114,394 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings128,000 mi
Steering1244,123 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate175,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing167,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer185,175 mi

The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2005 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.