Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Subaru Forester, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 53 | 24% |
| Fuel system | 49 | 22% |
| Suspension | 21 | 10% |
| Air bags | 17 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 4% |
| Engine | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
leaking fuel lines under turbo in engine compartment when in cold weather
NHTSA complaint: 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 extended. The vehicle was t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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)
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 W
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.
Risk: IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 53 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.