Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Subaru Forester
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Subaru Forester has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 219 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #11V464000 FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM/TRANSVERSE LINK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V473000 SUBARU/OIL FLOW CONTROL VALVE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 63 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 61 complaints
- Suspension 25 complaints
- Engine 23 complaints
- Air Bags 21 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 16 complaints
Of the 219 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 219 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Subaru Forester has a moderate number of complaints (219) and two recall campaigns, indicating generally average reliability. The most frequent issues relate to the fuel system, suspension, and engine. However, the limited number of complaints and recalls provide only a partial view of the vehicle's reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| Suspension | 100,000–150,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
| Engine cooling | Unknown | $250–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake pad replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Suspension check
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fuel smell in cabin
- Uneven tire wear
- Overheating engine
- Shaking or vibrations while driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Subaru Forester at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.