2004 Subaru Forester Engine Problems
- 20
- 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.
Among these 20 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- intake manifold · 6 records
- fuel odor · 6 records
- strong fuel · 5 records
- fuel lines · 4 records
- cold weather · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Fuel leak in lines above engine but below intake during colder weather. Fuel fumes pulled into vehicle by heating system.
ODI 10949258
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. When the vehicle was started, a very strong fuel odor emerged from the engine compartment. The fuel tank leaked fuel onto the manifold. The failure was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a fuel tank leak. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 149,966.
ODI 10933713
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. Whether the vehicle was parked or being driven, a fuel odor was detected in and outside the vehicle. The fuel odor was most noticeable while operating the heater. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mid-hudson subaru (1715 u.s. 9, wappingers falls, ny 12590 [redacted]) several times, but no leaks or failures were detected. The contact…
ODI 11048212
Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 subaru forester. While driving various speeds, the rpms began to increase and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and caught fire from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made…
Fire reported
ODI 10916164
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
Anytime the temperature drops below 60 degrees fahrenheit there's a strong smell of gasoline inside the cab of the vehicle. When looking under the hood i can see it dripping out of something underneath the intake manifold. Severe gas leak. Nauseous and dangerous fumes.
ODI 11133427
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
To whom it may concern, hello, i am the owner of a 2004 forester xt which i love. I've owned the car for almost a year and its been nothing but reliable up to this point. The weather outside is frightful, and with that comes a common problem for many subaru owners. During the cold snaps, say below 20f, there is strong fuel smells which fills the cabin. It only happens during start-up, and lasts about 15 mins before…
ODI 10671695
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
The smell of fuel became obvious after a 10-[redacted]. Upon examination, there was fuel dripping from a fuel line. This occurred after the first freeze of the year, fitting other descriptions of this issue i found for this model. *tr
ODI 10654794
Engine
2004 subaru forester xt had catastrophic engine and turbo failure while driving on highway. It is clear that my vehicle suffered from subaru service center negligence and a design flaw of a banjo bolt that filters oil to the turbo but easily gets clogged, shutting off oil to the turbo, causing oil deprivation to the turbo, burning out the turbo, and causing fragments to get into the engine, blowing out the engine as…
ODI 10592747
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Fuel lines crack in cold weather (approx under 25 and under). Strong fuel smell in cabin was enough to make passengers ill, car was not drivable. Fuel was pooling in the engine bay near the hot turbo and exhaust system. Contacted dealership, service writer knew what the issue was as soon as i told him make, model and year - said it's very common. Found pages of complaints on nhtsa site and hundreds in forums. Subaru…
ODI 10563688
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
On very cold days while car is warming up, a strong smell of fuel is coming from under the intake manifold. A closer inspection reveals a small fuel leak from the fuel supply lines near the turbo. A subaru impreza enthusiast forum has a "raw fuel smell" log of more than 131 pages and 3,000 posts (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131755). Subaru issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) for certain…
ODI 10561865
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
In very cold weather (less than 10 f) the rubber gas lines leak very significant amounts of gas onto the engine and verynear the hot turbocharger. Another subaru just caught fire in the o'neill tunnel. Http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/01/27/car-fire-causes-backup-in-oneill-tunnel/ *tr
ODI 10562177
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
During the recent cold snap here in tennessee i got a report from a friend that his 2004 forester xt was leaking fuel into his engine bay. I went out to start my car the next day and mine is doing the same thing. The fuel is slowly leaking onto the engine block. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I did some researching and it seems that almost all forester models from 2002-2006 have this exact same issue!…
ODI 10559009
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Very strong fuel smell in the car with heater on so strong have to roll window down. Happens 2 to 3 times a week on cold days. Strongest when its a cold start. *tr
ODI 10562421
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated when the temperature dropped, fuel fumes were emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 117,000. The intake manifold was replaced. Updated 03/12/14 updated 3/12/14*cn the fuel lines,…
ODI 10561131
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Strong smell of gasoline upon starting the car in very cold weather. Inside and outside the vehicle. Only happens when it is cold outside. Really gives me a headache and makes me nervous about igniting. *tr
ODI 10561032
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated there was a slight leak of oil coming from the engine that was dripping into the catylitic converter. The vehicle was taken to dealer after learning of nhtsa recall campaign id number: 04v473000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls.…
ODI 10479330
Engine
The engine overheated and seized while on a freeway without a single warning light regarding high temp or check engine. No coolant was visible in the radiator during inspection after the incident. Shouldn't a 21st century driver/owner be notified by some indicator that they are on the verge of heating an engine to the point of failure? And where did the coolant go? Does this vehicle have a history of bad thermostats…
ODI 10481571
Engine · Power Train
There has been a continuous oil leak from my 2004 subaru forester xs. My mechanic diagnosed the problem as a leak in the main seal between the transmission and the engine. This is not normal and it will cost me $1,000 to fix because the transmission will have to be removed. There are other complaints registered about similar oil leaks in this model year. Subaru should investigate. *tr
ODI 10495001
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
There was a very strong gasoline smell inside the car (2004 subaru forester xs) that happened in cold weather during january 2012. It happened again just recently in january 2013. It was so strong it made the driver and passenger have a headache and become nauseous. Many other owners have reported the very same thing and have not been successful in getting subaru to at least investigate. Subaru has issued a recall…
ODI 10494984
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Strong fuel odor inside cabin developed when operating on cold mornings; fuel odor typically went away within 15 minutes of starting the car. Inspection of fuel lines, filter, etc. Revealed no obvious leaks above the intake manifold. Dealer quoted approximately $800 to remove intake manifold and inspect. I have had two independent shops attempt to fix this issue over the past 3 years with varying degrees of success;…
ODI 10489347