2004 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- 16
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- lower control · 15 records
- front lower · 6 records
- control arms · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
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…
ODI 11277340
Suspension
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…
ODI 11154321
Suspension
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…
ODI 11142416
Suspension
The control arm fell off. The body of the vehicle fell to the ground. The other one is almost completely rusted through. The recall on this part allowed the dealer to use their discretion to either replace the control arms, or spray rust proofing over corrosion, which they did. This obviously does not stop the rusting, and it eventually rusted through. I luckily was not injured. I am questioning the adequacy of the…
ODI 11130207
Suspension
While driving down a state highway(rte. 195), i experienced a severe vibration at normal highway speed limit in the left front drivers side wheel. I pulled over to a breakdown lane and got out to visually inspect the wheel and surrounding area for any sign of trouble and did not notice any. The following day while driving the same highway the vibration again occurred but on a more frequent basis. I arrived at my…
ODI 11110092
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Failed recall on 2004 subaru forester xt front lower control arms. The front lower control arm on the passenger side of my forester rusted in half. When backing out of a flat concrete driveway onto a city street, as i began to turn the wheel i heard/felt a pop in the front end. As i began to straighten the wheel it started making a grinding noise and i noticed the steering felt funny/loose. Before foing any further…
ODI 11079474
Suspension
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…
ODI 11206025
Suspension
Driving appr. 35mph on state highway 6 in eastham, ma when steering wheel was jerked out of my hands, car abruptly moved to the right and into granite curb before coming to a stop. Upon exiting car i found right front tire turned to the right while other tires were facing forward. Right lower control arm was broken causing cv axle to break at inner joint. This was a crowded highway on a summer weekend in a resort…
ODI 11004381
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. While driving 5 mph making a left turn, the front passenger wheel turned in the opposite position and caused the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent garage lot where it was diagnosed that the control arm was corroded and caused both lower control arms and axle to detach. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number:…
ODI 10892239
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. While driving approximately 40 mph, an unusually loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The failure occurred when driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both front lower control arms exhibited excessive corrosion; however, the rear lower control arms were not as severely damaged. The vin was not included in…
ODI 10889352
Suspension
Having recently bought my 2004 subaru forester xt, it ran great for the first few months. Then, while on the highway, it would shake uncontrollably, almost like an earthquake. Having taken it to subaru a month before, i mentioned that it was doing this a little, but not to the extent that it did on the highway. He said it would be $150 to look at it. Taking it in to a different mechanic, they had to replace the…
ODI 10808646
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that while reversing into a residential the driveway, the front passengers side lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the control arm needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the vehicle was not included in recall nhtsa campaign id number: 11v464000 (suspension). The…
ODI 10628394
Suspension
I will like to know if when my car was recall and fix the front lower control arm in 2013 has anything to do with my wheel alignment, since it seems that the dealer and town fair tire can not get it right because every time i complaint and get it fix and go home after a few miles the steering wheel goes off center and start making noise at the front end about 55-65 mph and this began after fixing the recall and i…
ODI 10669661
Power Train · Suspension
Backing out of drive way, lower control arm failed, tearing the cv joint out. Upon inspection the control arm had rusted through at it's joint. *tr
ODI 10433133
Suspension
Rusting failure of the front lower control arm. No injuries, it was caught before the item failed. *tr
ODI 10425226
Suspension
A rear wheel bearing has failed on our 2004 subaru forrester xt. We have heard a sound on again and off again a few months after buying the car, as well as in recent months. The car has always been serviced by a subaru dealer and we have had all required services made over the years of owning the car. We bought the car from subaru of wakefiled, ma when we lived in salem, ma. Their service department is terrific. We…
ODI 10267247