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We found the following complaints for SUBARU FORESTER (2004)

Read complaints for SUBARU FORESTER (2004)

Takata recall

For three years, there has been a problem with the airbags light staying illuminated.according to subaru service, the airbags will not deploy if the light is illuminated.on the last visit to the dealer, i was told that the under-seat connections for the airbags were corroded and had to be replaced at considerable expense.since these connections are not exposed to the outside environment they should not corrode unless the equipment is defective.since this defect represents a major safety risk, there should be a corrective recall.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated for both the passenger and driver side air bags. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

The driver side front air bag light has lit up on the dashboard. It stays on every time i start the car and drive it.i have taken it to the local subaru dealer in rochester, mn (clements). They say it will cost $3000 to install a brand new air bag system. I disagree. This is an inherent , serious safety flaw in the car. In my opinion, subaru should fix it free of charge. I have not received any safety advisory from subaru of america. Your guidance would be appreciated. [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

My car was parked. When i got in car and turned key, the passenger side airbag deployed. Car was not hit or in accident.

Pulling into parking space.had foot on brake.approximate speed of car 10 mph.car accelerated on its own with my foot on brake.looked down saw that gas pedal was to floor.car accelerated into brick building.as quickly as it accelerated it stopped.was able to reverse car into parking space.hole in building damaging electricity for building.entire building without electricity for entire day.building has a 5' x 5' hole in wall and cracks doing up and down and around corner of building.car was towed to repair shop since subaru(forester 2004) does not do repairs.car was inspected by mechanic who said he could see no visible reason why gas pedal stuck.frame of car in tack, estimated damage $3600.car will be repaired and shipped to subaru for inspection prior to repossession of car.airbag did not engage during accident.prior to accident, approximately 2 months ago a similar incident happened.i came to a stop at an intersection, stepped on brake and car accelerated.it took both feet on the brake to stop the car.i thought perhaps it was winter and i slid on ice, or perhaps it was just a freak accident.didn't think much of it until the second occurance.

The air bag system will not function in the event of a collision due to an electrical connector malfunction.the connector is located under the driver's seat and is constantly stressed by seat movement or contact by the driver's feet.as a result, the air bag warning light is chronically but intermittently on.this has been a problem since first identified when this vehicle was approximately 1 year old.the repair of the connector was eventually ineffective.when the air bag warning light is on the air bags are inactive and will not deploy in the event of a collision.

Airbag light came on shortly before the warranty on the item ran out. Dealer checked connections and light went out. A few months later the light came again. Checked connection, light went out. Light started going on intermittently. Now was on steadily. Goggling 2004 forester air bag light indicates this wasa common problem.it wasa poor design that exposed the connector to damage by feet or other objects under the driver's seat.

Having seen the complaints from other users regarding the reliability of airbag deployment in this model vehicle.relevant to let the proper authorities know of a rollover accident in which no airbags (nor front nor side) deployed with a resulting fatality.

Since 2009 the driver side airbag light will stay on after i have started the car.it will stay on for days, whether it is hot summer time or cold winter days.it may stay on for a few days or for months.the last time was from july 19, 2014 to august 25, 2014.this is the first time that i have reviewed the list of vehicle safety complaints. Seeing the other complaints about the airbag light remaining on encourages me to submit my history also.when it has been on, i think i should take it to the dealer but then it goes off before i can take the car in to the dealer.seeing all the complaints i also think subaru should be responsive to this problem.

The airbag light randomly goes on and off for periods of days at a time. This has been happening for many years. I brought it in to the subaru dealer but they claimed it did not light up for them during their inspection. It then lit up for me on the way home and when i called the dealer from the road they would not look at it again until i made another appointment. Unfortunately i cannot assure that it will be on for them when they get the car. I later discovered that there was a subaru technical service bulletin for this problem #17-07-04. They should have at least checked to see that this is a common problem. Further my mechanic said that when the light is on the air bags will not deploy upon impact.

The air bag warning light comes on intermittently when the drivers seat is moved. The connector wire under the seat must be cause but the dealer will charge $600.00 for repair that they state may or may not fix this problem. This has been happening since the vehicle was one or two years old. A search of your records shows the exact problem in complaint #10196583, and is the likely cause of complaint #'s 10149296 and 10101059.

Dt*:the contact stated while driving on the highway at 55mph the vehicle was involved in an accident.the air bags did not deploy.although seatbelts were worn the two occupants sustained injuries.a police report was filed.as a result of the accident the vehicle was totaled.

Airbag light comes on and goes off when the driver's seat is adjusted, (this has been happening since the car was new, & sometimes staying on for weeks at a time).when ask about this problem at the dealers service department, they were aware of the problem and wanted over $170 to repair this safety issue as when the air bag light is on,the airbags are not working according to the dealers service department in auburn, wa.since we still own this car, with less than 60,000 miles on it, we think that subaru should be responsible for this safety problem.

Fuel door release button does not work.airbag light came on possible electrical problems.5 days after purchasing the vehicle, the fuel door release button fell off.opening of the fuel door was and continued to be difficult.the consumer would like a full refund forthe vehicle.*tc

Hello, this is the second 04 subaru forester i have owned that has a faulty solder airbag connection causing the airbag light to be on and likely disabling some or all of the airbag system. That is very high likelihood that most of these 03-04 vehicles are affected. Why is there not a recall to address this safety failure?below is the documentation for the lack of response from subaru of america. Attached is a pdf of the tsb for this issue. Hi [xxx], thank you for contacting subaru of america. I appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.i can confirm that i have documented the concerns you have related to your vehicle, including your request to have a recall issued concerning the problem described in tsb 17-07-04. Should you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us by replying to this email or calling us at 1-800-782-2783.sincerely,[xxx]subaru of america, inc.customer/retailer services department1-800-subaru3 (1-800-782-2783)service request number:[xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

The air bag dashboard light is always on. It first came on when the vehicle had about 82000 miles and at first it was intermittent. After about six weeks, it has become permanently lit when the engine is turned on. I have noted that this seems to be a problem on this model. The light does not bother me, but the fact that people have been in accidents and the airbags did not deploy does concern me greatly.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact statedthe air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised that one of the air bag plugs that was connected to the air bag wiring was not contacting. The contact was concerned with the possibility of being involved in a crash and the air bags potentially would not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated there was a technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer (nhtsa item number: 10015705: air bags) but there was not a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,500.

The airbag light stays illuminated for weeks at a time and then will randomly turn off. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they could not identify the problem. I have continuously had the problem off and on for the past year. I see several people have had the same problem with this model and year subaru, this should be taken care of by subaru- [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

The air bag light seems to intermittently come on when the driver's seat is moved forward. The light goes off on its own usually when the seat is moved back but we have not detected any patterns.

While driving at 28 mph a head on collision occurred. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. One person was injured.

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/

While running the blower motor on high, the cabin began to fill with toxic smoke.the blower's hot wire connection had overheated, charred/melted the plastic housing around the terminal, charred/melted the wires insulation at this connection, and melted the copper until it fell loose.the blower resides exposed under the glove compartment.no easily combustible materials were located underneath the blower at that time.

When outside temperature falls below 10 degrees f., car will not start or starts only with greatest difficulty.last year(2004), same sort of starting problem was attributed to a cracked ignition coil.this year dealers service department can not find a problem, also can't explain the problem.

Car was shifted from drive into neutral for operator to use a parking lot gate machine.the engine surgeda little while in neutral but settled back down.when parking gate opened the operator shifted into drive and lightly pressed the gas pedal.the engine immediately surged to full throttle and rapidly accelerated across the driveway for a few seconds before being stopped by collision with a granite post. Operator couldnot brake hard enough to stop the vehicle in time.driver injured in crash.

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; the most recent (2011) removed the intake manifold and replaced all rubber fuel lines under the manifold, but the problem has recurred this fall and winter and at increasingly warm temperatures. Now, there is a visible and obvious leak from a fuel line just as it goes under the manifold--inaccessible without removing the manifold. Clearly, the problem is with the design of the metal fuel rail to rubber line interface, since this is a common problem in forester xts across several model years. Subaru of america issued a recall for this problem on the wrx, but so far has not acknowledged the problem for the forester or forester xt.this is a costly repair and a huge safety issue: the leaking fuel drips directly onto the engine cylinder heads and in some cases (on passenger-side fuel line leaks) is in close proximity to the turbocharger--representing a significant risk of engine fire.the fuel fumes in the cabin are also a health and safety risk which should be dealt with by subaru.

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) 520-7894) where it was diagnosed with the head cover gasket with needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 04v473000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the repairs were not covered under warranty and the costs for the repair would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

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.

Fuel leak in lines above engine but below intake during colder weather. Fuel fumes pulled into vehicle by heating system.

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 issued a recall for the same issue on the 2003 generation wrx vehicles, but not the foresters. This is a major problems. Subaru's are purchased as ideal snow vehicle, and repairs cost upward of $600. This is a direct safety issue.

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 aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

There was a very strong gasoline smell inside the car (2004 subaru forester xs) that happened in coldweather 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 toat least investigate.subaru has issued a recall for the wrx model, but not for the forester. This is ahealth and safety risk that should be taken care of by subaru.

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 (866) 678-2048) several times, but no leaks or failures were detected. The contact stated that the dealer finally detected a fuel odor and diagnosed the failure as a malfunction with tubing or piping within the engine. The parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would contact the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

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. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.

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.

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! some have been recalled, but the forester xt hasn't. The engines are the same...i don't understand why this dangerous problem hasn't been resolved by subaru.

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 the car warms up. From searching many forums and internet threads it seems this problem has been occurring since early 2001. There was a recall notice (wvk-21)for the 2002 -2003 wrx's which had a same problem i am experiencing now. Unfortunately a recall was never issued for later model subarus which suffer the same problem. The problem is fuel leaking from 5 main fuel lines going into the intake manifold. It seems that when it is cold outside, the lines are shrinking and is allowing fuel to spew out everywhere. Just from searching for 3 days i've seen 125 cases of this happening to other owners. Will you please put out a bulletin before someone dies from there car exploding because of extra fuel leaking out of the fuel hoses.please i beg of you, please issue a recall!!!

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 well.while i was spared an accident and injury, it was a close call as while i was driving i suddenly had a failure to accelerate, and very nearly was plowed in from behind by a large tractor trailer truck.my car now requires a complete replacement of engine and turbo, costing in excess of $7,000. I have decided to sell the vehicle rather than bearing the huge expense required to repair.the issue with this banjo bolt and subaru turbo / engines of this era are well documented on the internet automobile forums and in social media.subaru should compensate owners for devaluing their cars, and should have a recall before more drivers are harmed or killed.

The smell of fuel became obvious after a 10-15 minute drive. 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.

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 i'm not aware of?it would have been a lot safer if there were some warning light for high temp so we can pull over to allow the car to cool down in order to prevent an accident and save the engine.

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.

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.

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 3/12/14the fuel lines, clamps and upper intake gaskets were replaced. The fuel lines were cracked. Updated 04/01/14

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.

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 subaru imprezas, but they have not initiated any tsbs for any other cars all using the same or similar engines. See tsb 01-170-09.as leaking fuel onto your engine is a safety hazard, i would like to see subaru initiate some kind of tsb or recall for all engines experiencing this problem. I understand many subaru owners have complained to subaru and nhtsa with no results.

In cold weather (below 20 degrees or so) the fuel lines in the engine compartment come loose and leak raw gasoline onto the hot engine. Obviously there is a good chance of an engine fire with possible loss of life. This has been reported in several forums, there is a tsb out on this for the wrx (same engine, same part numbers), and most dealers (in cold states) know of this problem.

The vehicle's transmission made noise while driving.the vehicle was inspected and it was determined that he vehicle was operating as designed.the consumer would like to return the vehicle and receive a refund for the purchase price.the consumer stated that the engine is making a high pitch whining noise. The consumer was told that the noise is from the reduction gear teeth transmission and was normal. The consumer also experienced problems with her 1998 subaru forrester the consumer experienced overheating and engine damage.a faulty thermostat caused the overheating.an initial test show carbon monoxide indicating probable damage to the sleeves between the pistons and cylinders, which would require replacement of the short block.overheated cams are warped due to the heat.

This car has an oil leak coming from the top of the engine.it is exactly the same problem described in your recall number 04v-473 of september 27, 2004.because this forester, an xs model, is not listed in the recall 04v-473, the dealer refused to repair the oil leak.it is the same problem as noted in the recall for the xt model forester.

I am experiencing an extremely strong smell of gas. This began winter of 2013, which i had repaired at my expense of $700+, though my mechanic informed me subaru was recalling this and repairing for free on other models. I am absolutely disgusted that this problem is recurring now winter of 2014, in a vehicle which i drive mysmall children in. The gas smell is horrific, toxic, and dangerous.

Fueland exhaust line leaks in cold weather.over the initial three day period - day one children complained of headaches, day two driver experienced severe headache and nausea but did not realize it was due to fuel leak. Day three cabin filled with overpowering fumes coming from heating vent.had to drive with heat off and all windows open in order to bring car in for service. Have had to bring car in twice this month to repair all of the leaks and rent a car in order to get to work appointments.certified subaru specialist reported that he has seen quite a few incidences of same issue recently due to extreme cold weather. This is a dangerous safety issue and is not acceptable. 2002-2003 impreza recalled dec 2009 for same issue.

2004 subaru forester 2.5xs. Consumer writes in regards to a head gasket leaking anti-freeze. *tgw the consumer stated the head gasket had to be replaced twice.

Had timing belt replaced on 2004 forester turbo as recommended on maintenance,schedule, next day on highway, loud screeching noise and lose of power. Stopped driving towed to mechanic. Said it was blown turbo. Never notified of banjo bolt issue, subaru should recall or remedy situation at their cost.

I purchased a 2004 subaru forrester xt in february of '09 with 93,008 miles on it. The dealership had all service records relating to the vehicles history, and all guidelines were followed according to the manufacturer's specifications. The current mileage on the vehicle is 102,323 and i was just informed that the turbocharger is coming apart and needs replaced or the vehicle will be non-operational.i contacted subaru of north america and they informed me that there was nothing that they could do, which i understand.my main problem is that the representative that i talked to informed me that the manufacturer changed its guidelines for later models of the vehicle to a shorter recommended interval between services.these models have the same engine and turbocharger as my vehicle and they changed the scheduled maintenance from 7,500 miles to 3,500 miles.i understand the power train coverage expired at 5 years or 60,000 miles but my main concern is that they had changed their service requirement for a reason.the mechanic shop that i have taken the vehicle to has had service bulletins on this problem concerning the turbochargers. It states vehicles that are turbocharged should have the oil changed every 3,750 miles to prevent failure/ damage to the turbo and that i was not to drive it or the engine could seize up and cause a crash.

Engine compartment fire, resulting from oil leaking in engine compartment.there were no injuries and because of proximity of fire department fire was extinguished within 4-5 minutes.subaru of america (soa) maintains that oil leaked from oil filter and that this is no fault of theirs.given the history of recalls of this type of vehicle in japan for leaking oil and fires i am not sure that this point has been demonstrated.soa refused to fix damage and told me to file an insurance claim... Which i have done.damage is estimated to be $6-10k.matter will be subrogated to insurance company for settlement.

Engine caught fire while the car was driven.corresponds tonhtsa campaign number: 7v043000.

Car producing noxious odor inside.when parking car in garage, accidentally stepped on accelerator rather than brake.hit and destroyed back wall. Cosmetic damage to car.dealer claims leaves were sucked into the engine compartment through turbocharge intake.but, odor was of burnt rubber or plastic, not leaves.and, the car is always parked in the garage.finally, most leaves were down several weeks earlier this year, i.e., by end of november.

2004 forester xt stalled, had loss of power during acceleration and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times but they were unable to diagnose and repair the problem.

The contact owns 2004 subaru forster. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph the turbo charger failed and the vehicle lost all power and the contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where it was diagnosed that due to a lack of oil going to the turbo charger.the vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure recurred after repairs due to a leak in the oil intake resulting in the turbo charger failing. The failure mileage was 69,968 and the current mileage was 84,500.

Consumer writes regarding automobile manufacturer design flaw exclusive dealerships repairs *tgwthe consumer stated he experienced a catastrophic failure with his engine due to a blown turbo. The local dealership refused to sell the replacement part to his local mechanic due to the cause of the failure and the installation process. Subaru later responded in writing denying all claims even when the consumer supplied them with valid reasons. The consumer learned subaru was aware of the problem dating back to 2005 and a tsb was issued. The tsb stated that oil starvation to the turbo was the main cause for the turbo failure. The oil starvation happened when the oil feed filter bango became clogged. Subaru realized the design flaw in the turbo system and later redesigned the turbo to address the problem.

Excessive sulfur dioxide odor (rotten egg).company refuses to fix converter, blames fuel.converter should handle the sulfur content of fuel, regardless.

I own and daily drive a 2004 forester xt. It has recently developed what i consider to be a severe safety related issue. Last night, after driving approximately 30 minutes, there was an overwhelming smell of raw fuel in the cabin. This situation happened again this morning while sitting in traffic, at a red light. The smell of gasoline was so strong, i felt light headed and had to roll down the windows when the temperature outside was 24 fahrenheit. I found that subaru of america (soa) issued a recall for the same problem on wrx models which produced this symptom. Upon inspection of my engine, i can both see and smell raw fuel seeping from one or more of the fuel lines. I continued my research and found that there are many reports of this issue covering many year models of the forester and the legacy models.due to the volatility of gasoline and the inherent dangers to humans in vapor form, i feel this is a critical safety issue. I have read many reports and noticed the apparent large population of affected vehicles. This is very disconcerting. I am contacting soa to report this problem and to request they cover the failure under goodwill.

Extremely strong smell of gas in cabin in cold weather. I drive my small daughter to daycare every day in that car. The gas smell is horrific, toxic, and dangerous. Also, the cause of that gas smell is the gas leakage from the rubber hose of the fuel line onto hot componenst in the engine compartment. This is a design flaw that poses serious risk, as it is both a health and a fire hazard. Subaru needs to expand the existing impreza / wrx recalls to forester, as the relevant parts are the same and the issue is virtually identical.

Strong raw fuel smell in cabin of car during cold start/cold weather.it appears that the fuel lines shrink in cold weather and pull away from the metal fuel lines causing vapor leak as well as fuel leaks.the problem is that the fuel lines are located under the intake manifold and are impossible to tighten unless the manifold is removed.this is a huge safety hazard.

We owned a 2004 subaru forester for 6 years.2 years ago i experienced an incident where starting out the accelerator stuck at an advanced rate of speed.i was able to quickly gain control and brake the vehicle and thought it was an aberration.recently on starting out from a ferry boat the accelerator again stuck at an advanced rate of speed.i avoided people and many cars but did collide with a wall and 1 car, finally stopping the subaru by driving up a hill, over a curb and into a fence.i had mechanics check the accelerator system.they said they could find no defect in the system but that other factors could contribute to "sticking" such as faulty floor mats or placement od brake and/or accelerator pedals.i am not an expert but my examination indicates (1) there is approximately 2 inch gap between the front of the accelerator pedal and the floor (2)that t he brake and accelerator pedals are quite close together; and that a foot could become "hung up" or lodged because of either or both of these things. This possibility could be increased by larger feet, although i do not consider my size 11 width ee shoe size to be overly large. My non-expert opinion is that these pedals should be re-engineered so that (1) there is no gap of the accelerator to the floor (2)there is a clear separation of the brake and accelerator pedals.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester xt. The contact stated that during cold weather he would smell gasoline fumesinside of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed stated that he had a leak in his fuel line from the hose on the fuel rail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The vin was unavailable.updated 02/02/11

Vehicle compartment has a strong smell of gasoline.i first noticed this a year ago (vehicle mileage was around 40,000) and the temperature was 20 degrees and lower when this would occur.the smell of gas continued again this winter.i had my mechanic look at it and contacted the subaru dealership.they could not diagnose the problem, but did state that they have had other customers complain of this extremely strong gas smell as well.it has been so bad that i have had to keep a window open.

Gas lines leak on 2004 subaru forester xt when ambient temperatures fall below 20 degrees fahrenheit. Significant amounts of fuel leak into the engine area, and strong fumes enter the passenger area. Nhtsa has already issued a tsb on the subaru wxt regarding the same problem. Concerned about fire hazard and inhalation of gasoline vapors.

Leaking fuel when cold outside, i can see fuel dripping from a fuel line under intake manifold every time i start my car in the morning when the car is cold in the cold weather in winter.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak in the engine compartment. He could smell gasoline in the cabin as it was being leaked on the motor. He stated that the failure seemed to happen in above freezing weather. He called the dealer and was told that it was a common problem. The vehicle had not been inspected by the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 95,000.

1st issue with 2004 fxt 4at . Cold start emitting raw fuel smell both in and outside of car. Local shop diagnosed as weak connections on fuel filter. Filter needed replacement in 5,000 miles, so opted to swap out to a new oem filter. Next day smell still present. Temps below freezing for past 6 weeks (michigan), but problem only started 1 week ago. Since problem persists, doing more research, and will contact soa and local sub dealer for assistance and plan. No other fuel complaints (knock, stall, rough idle, economy issues). Current mileage 109,000.

2004 subaru forester xswhen temperatures drop the fuel line shrinks around the fitting and raw gas leaks at a rate of 1 drop per 3-5 seconds directly onto the exhaust manifold. We first noticed the pool of gas on the exhaust manifold on a 20 f day. The raw gas fumes that filled the cabin were so strong we got severe headaches and had to turn off the heater and drive home with the windows down. I am pregnant & became extremely nauseated. Upon exit the smell of fuel was extremely strong on the passenger side near the front wheel well. When the car is running & the hood is open you can see the gas dripping where the fuel line is clamped to a fitting and collecting on the manifold. I called the dealership first thing in the morning. They told me it was a common problem and when the weather warms up the line will expand and it will be fine. The problem is, it's an abnormally cold winter with temps in the single digits & we can't wait until spring to drive our car with out fears of blowing up. We can't even park it in the garage when not driven due to the strong fumes. When asked if there was a recall i was also told that there is only one for the wrx for this issue, which happens to use the exact same parts. How have other models with the same fuel line, clamps and fittings, & posing the exact same risk not been recalled? this is not lack of maintenance, age, or neglect. This is a design flaw that poses serious risk. It just so happens this is the first winter cold enough to unmask the problem. Please google search 2004 forester gas leak and you will see, this is unfortunately common. It occurs in multiple models, over multiple years, all using the same shrinking fuel line. Please don't wait until this fire risk takes a life before it is investigated.

My 2004 forester xt (turbo) developed a slow gasoline leak, with gas seeping from hoses/clamps located underneath manifold. Gas fumes were entering the cab of vehicle, especailly when out-side temperatures below 40 degrees f. This is a safety and health hazard for drivers and passengers. This appears to be the same problem as outlined in recall of subaru impreza wrx turbo (recall #wvk-21), but to date there are no recall for this issue for foresters. I reently had this fixed at a cost > $500, cost was primarily to take manifold off in order to get to hoses & clamps which had to be replaced.

I have noticed in the past few weeks that when i cold start (under approximately 20 degrees) my 04 subaru forester, there is a very potent raw gas smell coming from under the hood. It typically diminishes as the car heats up but if you turn on the heat/ventilation system the smell becomes unbearable. In doing research i have found that many subaru owners (of various models and years) are experiencing the exact same problem. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle with this smell nor transporting any passengers with the car in this condition.

I've owned my 2004 forester for 4 years now and never experienced this problem.however, this winter seemingly having longer cold spells seemed to induce the problem.there is a strong fuel smell in the vehicle, especially when i turn on the heat, which is a major issue in the winter.i've read a little about it and it seems many other subaru owners are having the same issue.

Strong gas/fuel smell inside cabin and engine compartment during vehicle warm up in driveway when temp was in low 20's.unable to locate leaking fuel but smell is noticeably stronger on passenger side of engine bay. Vehicle will be towed to dealer in the morning as vehicle is unsafe to drive. Gas vapors are extremely flammable/explosive. I have found many similar complaints posted on this website and others. This suggests there may be an inherent design flaw since these vehicles are marketed to owners in cold weather locales. I have contacted subaru of america via e-mail about this incident. Today is sunday and nothing is open.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that as the temperature started to drop he noticed fluid leaking from the engine. He inspected the vehicle and realized that the hard fuel line was loose. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

In very cold temperatures (below freezing), the fuel line under the intake on the passenger side will occasionally leak at the connection between the rubber hose and steel line.it will drip fuel onto the engine block until it warms up.the smell of gasoline can be detected inside the vehicle and around the engine area.the fuel drips at a rate of about 1 drip per 1-3 seconds until the hose warms up and seals against the steel line.the dealer could not duplicate the problem, but they offered to tighten the fuel line fittings.the intake manifold had to be lifted and the cost was about $150, but they couldn't guarantee a fix.it will have to be rechecked in colder weather.this 2004 forester xt has 70,000 miles on it.

1. Noticed strong gas odor after driving car. Upon inspection, noticed gas pooled on engine top, passenger side, under intake manifold.2. Appears that fuel line is leaking. Unable to ascertain exactly where, because leak is behind intake manifold. Occurs during very cold weather.3. Repairs forthcoming.

Smelled fuel in passenger compartment.stopped vehicle and strong odor of fuel under hood.the evening temperatures were below zero and even though vehicle is garaged, temperatures were below freezing.no signs of fuel on floor of garage and could not find leak by observation of running engine.i did research and many subaru vehicles are having problems with fuel leaks at low temperatures. This is a safety hazard.dealer says it may take repairs in excess of $500.00 to resolve faulty clamps and hoses. I am trying to get subaru of america to work with me. Why has this not been a recall?are we waiting for fires or asphyxiation?

Strong gas odor when car is started in cold temperatures.

I first noticed a strong gas smell in the vehicle on the coldest day of the year, when the temperature was below 20 degrees. The gas smell enters the vehicle through the vents when the heater is turned on and the car is idling. While the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 10+ mph, the gas smell is not noticeable. When the heater is turned off, the gas smell does not enter the vehicle. When i exit the vehicle, i can smell gas outside of the vehicle also. The smell is so overwhelming that i cannot run the heater in the extreme cold temperatures while the vehicle is idling. I ran the vehicle throughout the summer months and there is no problem with the gas smell whatsoever. I do not take my child in the vehicle with me during the winter months due to the strong gas fumes. I fear that i may become stranded in my vehicle and i will not be able to idle my car for heat.

After coming home and parking my car in the garage my wife came in from the garage and said it smelled like gas. I found the source to be my 2004 subaru.i drove it the dealer the next morning and they said that the fuel lines due to the cold, as it was below 20 degree's, pulled away from the fuel rail so raw gas was pooling on the manifold.they kept it for a week saying it was not safe to drive, and replaced all the fuel lines and clamps for $850.they said it was one of the worst leaks they have seen. I have now read numerous complaints on this issue and noticed the 2003 wrx, same engine, was recalled for this safety issue. I guess i am lucky as it could have caught me, my house or who knows what on fire if it has sparked.

During the beginning of the year, a very strong fuel smell filled the cabin of the car. It would sometimes go away after a half hour of driving. It seemed to coincide with the outside temperature being below freezing. Brought car in for service. They tightened fuel clamps and replaced a small fuel line. A few weeks later the smell returned even more intense. It was scary to drive, especially with my toddler in the car! took car in for service again. They replaced all fuel injectors/orings/seals and intake and exhaust gaskets. Repairs totaled over $1,000. Problem first occurred at 105,000 miles. (one month earlier the turbo had to be replaced...a repair total of $3,300. For over a year there's also been a problem with the car constantly needing oil, but there's no leak.) i've read complaint after complaint for the fuel smell problem on many subaru forums. Why hasn't there been a recall for this safety hazard??

Immediately upon starting the engine a strong smell of gasoline filled the entire passenger cabin. Cold weather temperature was well below freezing. Has happened previously, and is corrected by tightening the fuel line connections.

When weather got colder this fall and winter suddenly intense smell of fuel in cabin. Looked under hood, tightened whatever fuel clamps i could reach but made no difference. Every day below 40degrees powerful smell of raw fuel throughout vehicle. Then had to take trip into neighboring city, in stop and go traffic even with windows full open in 15 degree weather fumes got so overwhelming i had to pull over in a parking lot, escape the car and vomit. Back home called dealer, they said they knew exactly what it was. They told me it was leaky fuel hoses and clamps under intake manifold and quoted over $800 to fix as they told me other models were covered by recall but foresters had "dodged the recall process" so far.

On the first genuine cold day of the year (below 40 degrees f) i noticed a strong fuel smell coming from my air vents while driving. As it's now mid november and averages below 40 degrees f i get a strong fuel smell at every cold start until the car warms up to top operating temperature.after researching this symptom, i discovered that it's very common for the fuel clamps underneath the intake manifold on the passenger side to leak when cold on 2004 subaru forester xts.upon further investigation i discovered that this is happening with my car, and is pooling fuel on the engine until warm. Average estimate from dealer is $500.

Fuel smell at start up in temps below 35 degrees, decreases after car warms up. If very cold does not go away.

Fuel odor noted in passenger compartment starting 4/9/11, (137218 mi) 55 degree ambient temperature, vehicle running for 10+ minutes and up to temperature. At stop light when odor began. Children in the vehicle became nauseated and began retching. Windows down to vent passenger compartment. Odor identified in passenger compartment and engine bay only, no raw fuel odor in exhaust or surrounding the vehicle.4/11/11, 52 degrees, 137463 mi 4/13/11, tightened accessible fuel line clamps in engine bay4/27/11, 40 degrees, 138113 mi4/28/11, 53 degrees, 138215 mi4/30/11, isolated leak to area immediately below manifold, near air filter on left side (passenger side) of engine; able to visualize fuel leaking onto engine at rate of 5 drops/10 seconds.5/1/11 45 degrees, 138511 miconcerns over safety of exposed fuel in engine bay (explosion hazard), as well as effect of fumes on adults/children (toxicity), and non-compliance with epa standards.to contact subaru of america to discuss options for repair/replacement of affected parts

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.

Strong smell of gas inside the car in cold weather. Replaced and tightened fuel clamps, to no avail. A recall was issued for the same system on the wrx, why not the forester? *ln

A strong fuel smell when i started my car.

I started the car after it had sat in 10-15 degree weather and there was a strong smell of unused gasoline in the cabin.it has started happening on start-up frequently since then.

This 2004 subaru forester 2.5 xt awd 4-spd automatic transmission with multi-purpose fuel injection turbo (feedback fuel system) has been producing a strong fuel smell that fills the entire vehicle cabin.i've been told by the dealer that this is to be expected from this type of engine and that there is nothing much that they can do about it and to learn to live with it.the dealer also indicates that this problem is basically caused by extreme cold weather and/or temperature change.i have researched this issue and found that there was a similar problem with the subaru impreza and that subaru issued a recall.no vehicle, subaru or otherwise, should produce a problem like this one that is "unfixable."the consumer should be protected from this potentially hazardous situation.this consumer is putting subaru on notice.

In cold weather (below 0f) vehicle leaks fuel in the engine compartment.vehicle was parked outside starting at 6:30 am, with an outdoor air temperature of approximately -11f after a 6 mile drive.when vehicle was restarted at 11:30am, with an outdoor air temperature of approximately 3f, fuel smell was noticed within one mile.fuel leak is from high pressure hose on passenger side of vehicle, just forward and below the manifold.car was towed to shop and shop replaced high pressure fuel hose and clamps.photos of exact location of leak, components replaced, repair bill and national weather service temperature data available in pdf format.

Strong odor of raw gasoline in cabin during cold weather when vehicle is stopped.seems to be the fuel leak in the engine compartment that many other subaru forester xt owners are experiencing.*ln

Basically i am experiencing the same raw fuel smell many others have described.the hose under the intercooler and several other hoses and parts visibly leaks and smells when temperatures are cold outside. I live in the pacific northwest...it's cold a lot here.i don't feel safe driving with my daughter in the car, for her health reasons, and really don't like wasting my hard earned fuel waiting for the car to warm up with the recirculating vent feature turned on and the fact that it drips the fuel out and onto the engine...since soa has recalled the wrx's with the exact same issue, why do those of us that own legacys, outbacks, foresters and i would also assume bajas not be treated the same way? soa needs to address this matter immediately and keep its loyal customers exactly that....loyal.

Raw fuel smell in cabin during cold start. Took to mechanic and he sees fuel leaking from the fuel line under passenger intake manifold. To resolve issue he will have to pull the intake, replace fuel lines and use better clamps. The clamps and hose used by subaru is faulty as i see a ton of complaints online about the same issue. They even did a recall on the wrx which has the same motor as the forester.

Gas lines leak on 2004 subaru forester xt when ambient temperatures fall below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Significant amounts of fuel leak into the engine area, and strong fumes enter the passenger area. Nhtsa has already issued a tsb on the subaru wxt regarding the same problem. Concerned about fire hazard and inhalation of gasoline vapors.very strong odor.could not continue to drive.

Model is a 2004 subaru forester xt.upon startup in cold weather, there is an extreme smell of raw fuel (gasoline) both inside the vehicle and outside as well.i am afraid to drive this car in cold weather.

Very strong smell of gas in cabin. I have 2 kids that i take to school, and in the morning i have to start my car 20 min before we leave and open the windows to air it out. The gas smell is toxic, and dangerous. This is the a design flaw that poses serious risk, as it is both a health and a fire hazard. It seems just about every forester owner has the same problems as well. Subaru needs to expand the existing impreza / wrx recalls to the forester, as the relevant parts are the same and the issue is virtually identical. Please fix this.

Start vehicle in the morning and can smell gas fumes outside and inside even when driving.this causes burning of nose and throat.

Every time the temperature drops below freezing a strong fuel smell fills the interior.sometimes the smell goes away when the engine warms up, sometimes it doesn't.nothing has been done to fix the problem.

Smell of raw gas inside of vehicle while driving.it doesn't happen all the time only on extremely cold days.

This problem happened when temperature dropped below about 15 degrees f. There was a very strong gas smell inside car with heater on. There was also a strong gas smell under hood. I drove car the next day at 35 deg f and no smell.

Upon starting car in cold weather (approx. 25 degrees f or colder), there is a strong fuel smell. Cannot turn heat on as fuel smell fills cabin and makes passengers nauseous. Headaches have also occurred. When vehicle is parked in garage after driving in cold weather, fumes accumulate in garbage and leak into house as well. Apparently fuel lines shrink in cold and leak fuel directly onto engine. This is both health and fire hazard.

2004 subaru forester fuel system leak in cold weather.

Strong smell of fuel when operating the vehicle in cold weather (around 35 degrees or colder). The fumes are sometimes so intense that they cause a headache and certainly pose a significant fire risk.

Extremely strong fuel odor in the interior of an 04 subaru forester.

2004 subaru forester leaks fuel directly onto manifold in conditions of cold ambient temperature.research reveals the problem is endemic to virtually all subarus model years 2002 - 2004.in 2009, subaru issued a recall for 2002 impreza wrx models sold in certain states, but the engine is the same design for the other models. Strong odor of fuel in passenger compartment is symptomatic.strong risk of fire. Odor abates when engine and/or ambient temperatures rise.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru foreseter.when the contact started the ignition there was a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle.the failure occur consistently.the engine exhibited an excessive amount of fuel leakage.the vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunctions.the failure mileage was 55,000.

Fuel leak in 2004 subaru forester xt similar to other safety complaints entered, nhtsa campaign 09v468000 and subaru recall wvk-21 for 2003 wrx.evening of 7jan2014 driving home (in uncommonly cool weather) the vehicle began to smell strongly of gasoline in the passenger compartment.upon arriving home, inspected under the hood to observe dripping fuel (approximately 1 drip per second) above the engine at a metal to rubber fuel line connection.leaked fuel was pooled on the top of the engine.a puddle of warm fuel vaporizing near electrical equipment (battery, alternator, radiator fans) is a serious fire hazard.the car has been parked since the event.i investigated on the internet and have found numerous other accounts of cold weather fuel leaks in many subaru models nearly identical to mine.my local subaru dealer appeared to be aware of the issue when i called, but stated there is no active recall on my model. They offered that their fix is to tighten the hose clamps but i would need to cover the cost of the work.if subaru has accepted responsibility for this issue in the 2002-2003 impreza and wrx, why would they not address the problem in other models that show the same symptoms?

During gas fill-ups, unable to fill tank without continuous start/stops (~20 times for full tank).have tried different pumps and different stations (approximately 13 fill-ups now).

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

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 for the car to clear out the fuel odor out of the cabin. Mostly occurs during cold weather days. Once engine warms up, odor fades away. Many people with similar cars say is a common issue with subarus.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. While attempting to start the vehicle in cold weather, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

For a period of approximately three weeks in early january 2013 my wife, daughter and i could smell what can only be described as raw gasoline when we drove our 2004 subaru forester xt.it would typically take less than 5 minutes after we started the engine for the smell of gas to become very strong, even overwhelming.although it could still be sickening, the problem would improve somewhat after we drove the car for a few minutes.after we carefully refueled the car on two or three occasions we concluded that the issue definitely had nothing to do with spilled fuel or the fuel cap.we were very concerned that whether or not the situation led to a fire, we were all being made very sick by the problem.we contacted the subaru dealer where we have our forester serviced and dropped off the car for them to troubleshoot.we were quickly contacted and told that the issue was with the fuel system and that because the fuel lines ran under the turbocharger the repair would be very expensive (and it was).after researching the issue it quickly became apparent that this is a common problem with not only foresters, but for other subaru models as well.being that this is (by any standard) a common problem arising from the design of the vehicle, that there is no option but to repair these vehicles on threat of fire or illness, that the problem does not occur due to any kind of misuse or neglect, there should be a recall made for all subarus that experience leaking fuel systems (not just the wrx).because the repair is so expensive, and so many of the affected vehicles lack any warranty coverage to pay for the repair, i am concerned there are many owners who will attempt the repair themselves or have the work done by technicians who are not familiar with the problem.it is my sincere hope that a safety recall is made and owners are notified before anyone is harmed.

Fuel rail hoes clamps/rubber line is faulty, causing pooling of gas on the top of the engine. Major fire hazard.

I've owned my 2004 subaru for 5 years without incident, but as of december 2013, i've experienced a strong fuel smell both inside and outside of the car. The smell is overpowering while car is parked, but lessens while moving. It began after the first big drop in temperature (40 degrees to 10 degrees), and has persisted for over a week now.

Fuel lines seep fuel onto the top of engine block and near turbo inlet area when temperatures are below ~20 degrees fahrenheit. The seepage occurs at the clamps between the metal and gas lines below the intake manifold. These clamps are not accessible without removal of many parts by a professional mechanic. Gas fumes fill the cabin when this occurs as well. Fumes are not bad when moving but if stopped at a stop sign or after starting the vehicle the fumes are very strong. This has been a known issue with other model subarus (2002 - 2003 subaru impreza & impreza wrx) that have a very similar engine configuration but has never been addressed with the subaru forester. The concerns i have are 1) fire hazard of gas pooling on top of engine block near turbo and other components 2) fumes building up in the passenger cabin.

It was summer when i first notice the smell of fuel through my vents and i was driving pass an gas station (shell) so i didn't think much not till the next morning as i warmed up the car i smelled pure gasoline next to the passenger fender i then pop the hood and traced it and i was lead to the turbo side of the engine seems to be coming from the fuel rail area unsure as the engine warmed up the smell faded away but now it's winter and it's bad i can see a big lost in fuel consumption full tank doesn't last a week it's driven to and from work around 4 to 12 miles a day need help!

In cold weather (below 30 degrees), fuel lines leak under the intake manifold, causing a severe fuel smell in the cabin, most likely also a fire hazard. Dealer claims not a recall issue. Upon research a large majority of subarus in model range have the issue, with no fix in sight.

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 occurred while driving, and raw fuel was dripping from the high pressure hose once stopped.

Strong odor of gas when outside temperature drops.

Fuel leak in lines above engine but below intake during colder weather. Fuel fumes pulled into vehicle by heating system.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was an overpowering gasoline fuel smell inside and outside of the vehicle. The odor would become stronger when the contact was operating the vehicle at various speeds. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Noticed a strong fuel smell after letting the car warm up on a cold morning, odor went away after 15-20 minutes. Fuel smell has gotten stronger, and is now constant even when operating under highway speeds. This is exactly the same as many other forester owners have complained about. Issues it with the fuel line going to the injectors on the passenger side of the motor. Is exactly the same issue and parts that subaru uses on the wrx which was recalled for this exact issue.

During cold weather, while at a stop and in motion, there is a strong fuel smell inside the cabin. The source was determined to be the fuels lines and specifically the fittings on the lines. During cold weather, either the fittings or the hoses contract, causing fuel to leak in the engine bay, near the hot headers and hot turbo.

Strong fuel odor has been entering the cabin during startup on cold mornings. This is caused by a fuel line leaking onto the engine. The leak can be seen but is inaccessible without removing the intake manifold. Once the vehicle heats up and the line expands the leak stops. I am very concerned about the potential for a vehicle fire and the danger of inhaling gasoline flames.

This is in a 2004 subaru forester xt (turbo).strong smell of unburned fuel coming from engine compartment and filling passenger compartment upon startup.

In cold weather there is a fuel smell in the cabin. I'm told this is a common subaru problem that results from the metal fuel line joining with a rubber/plastic hose in the engine compartment.the metal and rubber expand/contract at different rates as the temperature changes resulting in a fuel leak.it is most noticeable when stationary idling during cold weather.

There is a strong gasoline smell inside the car when the heat is on and the outside air temperature is around 30f or colder. The odor occurs regardless of whether the car is moving or not.

There is a pronounced, unmistakable smell of uncombusted gasoline emanating from the engine compartment as soon as the car is started on cool or cold mornings.the fumes enter the passenger cabin through the ventilation system.it is strong enough to cause headaches and require lowering the windows until it dissipates minutes later.this is a well known, well documented problem on the internet caused by defective fuel lines under the intake manifold.gasoline is leaking onto hot engine components.

For as long as i can remember, every time the weather gets below 40 degrees or so, the interior cabin smells like raw gasoline upon starting the car and continuing through several minutes of run time.

Car has a strong gas odor in the cab when temperature drops to 20 degrees and below. Occuring on cold start and continuing in motion on local and highway driving. After a few unsuccessful fixes by authorized subaru service problem still exists for three yearssoa needs to recognise this gas leak for this model and yearas a recall and perminent fixplease help

In cold temperatures, there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin and in the engine compartment. Fuel is leaking but the dealer was unable to locate it when brought in on a warmer day. Fuel leaks in cold temperatures is a recurrent problem with this make/model/year as evidence by:similar complaints in subaru forums.similar problems in related models (subaru wrx)this is a danger to health and safety and a recall should be issued.

Foresters have a common problem of a very common problem of the fuel line leaking.the cold causes shrink to the fuel lines causing a leak into the engine and fuel vapors to enter the cabin.this issue occurs whether it's stationary or in motion as well as all other conceivable states that the vehicle can be in.a recall was issued for the wrx, the same should occur with the forester.this issue occurs every winter when the temp drops below 20 degrees.

Noticed a strong smell of gas while driving my 2004 forester xs, causing headaches to myself and passengers. I brought it to my mechanic who said that there was raw gas pooling on the manifold. He said that he has seen this many times before - leaking fuel lines due to the cold (it was 12 degrees when i first noticed it). He noted that this was the worst leak he has seen. Looking at a $700 bill. I have since read many other complaints on this issue. Wondering why there has not been a recall for this obvious safety issue.

There is a terrible gas smell during cold weather from some leak in the fuel line.other subaru models have been recalled for this same problem, but not the forester.the smell is so bad that it has given me headaches and nausea.the smell is particularly awful when the heat is turned on, which is problematic since one wants the heat on when it's that cold out.smell persists around the car even when it isn't running and is so bad i can't park it inside my attached garage because it comes into the house.subaru really needs to address this.i have mentioned it to my mechanic several times and they have tried to correct it by tightening fuel line connections, which has not solved the issue.they told me about the other models being recalled, and when i researched it myself i discovered that there are hundreds (at least) of subaru forester owners who have complained about the same problem.this is a health hazard.i don't think anyone should be breathing these concentrated fumes.subaru needs to do a recall and replace these faulty lines.this problem has been ongoing for at least the past 2 years/winters.my most recent visit to the mechanic (to address the fuel smell again) was december 23, 2016.

Upon start up in cold weather (below freezing), there is a strong smell of raw fuel in the cabin. At times it is unbearable necessitating rolling down the windows, even in sub-freezing temperatures. It looks like fuel is leaking from somewhere in the engine bay. It has happened repeatedly and i worry the fumes are dangerous for not only passengers' health, but also in case of an accident.

Got up to and started my car to get it warmed up since it was 8 f outside.20 minutes later when i got into the car there was a strong smell of gas.upon inspection of the engine compartment i found that there was a fuel line on the drivers side dripping gasoline onto the engine block, where it was pooling. While searching online for info on this, i found that this is a common issue with early 2000's subarus, even to the extent that they recalled the wrx models for this exact reason, but made no mention of their other models.

In very cold weather, there is a strong gasoline smell inside the car that remains as the car warms up. This only occurs when temperatures are well below freezing.

My car has a strong gas odor smell coming from the air vents and from the outside of the car while i'm driving or even while the car is warming up and not moving.this has been happening since last year and i just recently found out another friend of mine with the same type of car told me to report it to the nhtsa website.

In cold temperatures, there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin and in the engine compartment. Fuel leaks in cold temperatures is a recurrent problem with this make/model/year as evidence by: similar complaints in subaru forums. Similar problems in related models.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that when the temperature was below 30 degrees, there was a strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle. The contact had not noticed a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 125,000

On days with sub-freezing temperatures, after starting the vehicle, a strong smell of gas is present. Upon inspection of the engine compartment, there is gasoline visibly dripping from a fuel line behind the ac compressor. The gasoline lands on the engine block and produces visible vapors as it is slowly burned up by the heat. Upon discussing the problem with a subaru repair shop, they said this is quite common for my vehicle.

The rubber injector lines running below the intake manifold on the turbocharged (xt) model, including my vehicle, are well known to develop a dangerous leak. Either the rubber dries out or the factory clamps loosen up over time, leaking gasoline onto the engine block. This is a very dangerous design flaw that has been recognized as an issue on the impreza but you forgot about foerester owners, subaru! shame on you.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that at start up, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a fuel leak under the front of the vehicle. Schlossmann subaru city of milwaukee located at 4640 s 27th st, milwaukee, wi 53221, (414) 459-3677 was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Car leaks fuel profusely from fuel line near engine block when running during cold weather temperatures below 20 degrees fahrenheit.

Warmed up vehicle. Temp was below 31 degrees closer to low 20's.within two minutes fuel smell entered vehicle. Over come by fumes... Rolled down windows.problem took atleast 15 minutes at least to get rid of smell. Very worried due to fuel being a highly combustible fluid in a hot engine.

Leaking gas under the intake manifold when it is cold out, 90k miles on the car.

There is a raw gas smell inside the car when parked, or stopped while the car is running in cold weather.

Just like 60 or so other 03-05 forester xt owners, i'm experiencing the fuel leak from the rubber fuel line where it clamps on to the metal line to the front drivers side injector. Just like everyone else, the issue only occurred when temperatures dropped below about 20f - uncoincidentally, in my opinion, this was the first new england winter this car had ever seen. Subaru has issued a recall for wrx with the same exact issue involving the same exact hardware. Get on it subaru, this is completely unacceptable and an extremely dangerous design flaw. You've already fessed up to the issue with other vehicles using the ej255 now don't forget about us fozzy owners.

I purchased a used subaru forester xt. The car had approximately 180,000 miles and was purchased mid-winter in denver, colorado.on extremely cold days i noticed a raw fuel smell. It was an alarmingly strong smell!i was all too familiar with this issue since i had also owned a 2002 subaru wrx with approximately 155,000 which incidentally was covered under a recall for this "known" issue.interestingly enough there was no issue withraw gas smell on the days that were warmer with either vehicle.i made an appointment at a subaru dealership in longmont, colorado where they advised me that the fuel hoses were leaking underneath the manifold and that the replacement part was not available at the time because it was back ordered approximately 6-8 weeks. I had a factory trained subaru technician that owns his own shop replace a certain number of the fuel delivery hoses with original subaru replacement parts since said part was back ordered.i also replaced the long block (subaru) along with a host of other items at the same time since the motor was out. Prior to going to the dealership i was able to test the vehicle's internal atmosphere with a tool that detects the environments air quality. The atmosphere was able to trip the tool showing that the atmosphere was in a lower explosive limit. Imagine my surprise that it was that bad. I determined that this issue warranted an immediate fix with subaru factory parts. As of this last week, november 2014, when denver had record breaking cold weather i have the same issue again with raw fuel smell. Now, one could conclude that the factory trained technician made an error replacing said parts but i have been driving my vehicle without issue for nearly 9 warm months. Coincidence??? i'm beginning to wonder. This fix should have been fixed under a recall as was my 2002 subaru wrx.i called s.o.a with no help.

Gas smellcold weather car idoling

Leaking fuel line under manifold, fuel smell very strong and leaks into engine bay.

During winter months 2004 forester xt emits noxious fuel smell into cabin. Source is from engine compartment in area of turbo/exhaust manifold as discover from puddle on garage floor during warm up

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact noticed an odor of fuel and a leak coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

During the cold weather there is an very strong gas smell in the car. I started the car and looked under the hood and can see where gas is leaking from the fuel system. I believe it leaks in the same spot that many other people have reported.

Approx. 90000 miles - strong smell of gasoline inside passenger cabin.leaking seal as described by 1000's of other subaru owners.why no recall or advisory on what owner's should look for.between gm fires, etc, not exactly sure what you all need to issue recall order/notifications.sad.

There is a very strong and distinct smell of raw fuel coming from the engine compartment when the weather is below freezing (20f or below).the smell comes through the air vents into the passenger compartment and is strong enough to cause a headache for the passengers in the car.the smell is worst when the car is stopped after a drive.it seems that this is a known problem with subaru wrx 2002 & 2003 cars and subaru has issued a recall for them.this also seems to be a common enough problem for subaru forrester cars from the same timeframe.on the website http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2004/subaru/forester, almost 50% of the complaints out of 154 complaints is about this fuel leak issue.this seems to be a well known problem according to dealers and other subaru forrester owners as well (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f87/smell-gas-cold-starts-41319/).it has also been documented by other owners at nhtsa: https://sites.google.com/site/20042005foresterxtfuelleaks/subaru of america seems to have implicitly acknowledged the systemic problem as they have been reimbursing some owners (but not all) for their service costs which can be in the range for $800 (http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/fixing-leaking-fuel-gas-line-86782/).however, subaru has not recalled these cars and is expecting owners to fix the problems which may may cause health issues and given fuel leaking on hot engine parts, may lead to an engine fire if not fixed.

The fuel lines under the manifold on the passenger side are leaking fuel when first starting and it is cold outside(below 50f). The fumes and filling the cab of the car when the heater it on.

I started the car on a cold morning and the whole vehicle smelled of gasoline. I'm unable to drive my children in the vehicle until this issue is resolved as i fear they may be inhaling fumes or may suffer a horrible fiery death i risk my own life back and forth to work and notice the smell starts to go away after the car warms up either that or i'm just used to it. My 02 wrx had the same issue and it was recalled. Why haven't the xt issues been recalled? haddad subaru in pittsfield ma tightened up what they could reach but the issue lies beneath the intake.

Dangerous!! i am the recent proud owner of a 2004 subaru forester xt. A couple of days ago we got our first freeze. I walk out to start my car and it's not turning over and a strong fuel smell is filling the cabin. I keep trying thinking that it may turn over. With no luck, and fearing something is wrong (or may possibly blow up), i stop and get out. Taking a closer look having parked it some dirt, i see that it is visibly moist under my car. The ground is saturated with gas. Luckily it didn't contact any spark in the engine or i wasn't smoking,because i wouldn't be here today to tell this story. It was a ton of gas. Please fix this before someone dies or gets seriously injured.

Fuel smell in cabin with blower set on outside air. The cause was a fuel leak in the engine bay under the intake manifold.

Have gas smell which i cannot find that is ongoing. I did have a gas line repair on a gas pressure line that burst that was located behind the rear seat but still have an ongoing gas smell when i fill the gas tank. I see many complaint regarding gas smell for this year vehicle so i am also posting.i do not see a recall regarding gas smell but with all the coplaints there should be one. Its unknown as to what is the problem.

My forester has begun to smell like gas when it is turned on while it is cold outside. A fuel line is leaking on the right side fuel rail. The fuel is leaking right next to the exhaust manifold and the turbo (see, really hot parts, see also, dangerous). This is a well known issue with the car and is a serious safety hazard. I do not believe it is right to require owners to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to keep their cars from bursting in to flames. Please see all the other complaints on this same issue and do something to protect and reimburse the owners of the vehicles for this safety issue.thank you.

Hood latch released while driving on interstate at 65 mph.occurred twice in less than 30 minutes.this occurred when coming off a bridge and the road bump caused the hood to pop up one inch.the secondary latch continued to operate, but this could cause a catastrophic failure of the hood.

I started the car, put my foot on the brake, and attempted to move it into gear. It would not move out of park. The release was broken. Eventually i had to call a tow truck because i could not get it into gear. It has been to jack williams tire in camp hill, pa 17011 3-4 times since then for the same issue.

Driving home from gym, i noticed the clutch pedal was not engaging the clutch making shifting difficult. Eventually returned home safely and upon inspection, i noticed a large firewall crack near the clutch master cylinder.the large firewall crack compromised the clutch pedal function.also, fear of possibility of brake pedal failure and possible exposure to engine bay fumes. I spoke to a subaru service advisor and suggested to "bring-in" for inspection.enroute to the dealer waiting for the green light on the main street,depressed the clutch pedal and felt a snap then my clutch pedal play is none.looked on the floor of my car to see what fell/detached, and it looked like part of the pedal bracket that attached to the clutch master cylinder.i eventually towed my car to the dealer. Are firewall supposed to crack?

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.

The vehicle's transmission made noise while driving.the vehicle was inspected and it was determined that he vehicle was operating as designed.the consumer would like to return the vehicle and receive a refund for the purchase price.the subaru dealer offered the consumer $1500.00to 2,000 dollars toward trading his vehicle in for another vehicle.offer expires oct 31,2004 *tc

The turbocharger broke twice in the 2d quarter 2015. Shortly after the second time it was fixed, the car caught fire over the turbocharger unit (while being driven 9/18/15), under the hood. New subarus have been recalled for this reason, but i think the replacement turbocharger was defective. The subaru turbo fp # was 14411aa5329l.

2004 forester xt stalled, had loss of power during acceleration and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times but they were unable to diagnose and repair the problem.

The vehicle generated excessive static shock.the accelerator became stuck.there were times when the vehicle would go no more than 15- 20 mph.

Our 2004 model, manual gear-box subaru forester 2.5 x stalls far tooeasily in first gear. Recently, my wife narrowly escaped a horrendousaccident when the forester's engine stalled on a busy highway trying toaccelerate onto the highway from the side road which she has to use toaccess the highway from her place of work.we have spoken to other manual gear-box subaru owners, including the subaruwrx and liberty, who have told us that they experience the same problem.we believe that this may be a fundamental design issue affecting mostrecently built manual gear box subaru passenger vehicles, built by subaru attheir main factory in japan, and distributed globally, including but notlimited to the usa.

My 2004 forester 2.5xt sustained a significant motor vehicle accident on 10/25/11 damaging the front & rear end at a repair cost approaching 9k.my seat belt failed to hold me in place -- no other vehicle occupants. Subaru corp in nj, usa was notified.i believe the 'emergency locking retractor' (elr) failed to operate as intended; my chest slammed against the steering wheel twice when i was hit in the rear and when i subsequently hit the vehicle in front. This happened at a traffic light and 10mph was estimated when traveling from a stopped position into the van in front.i was injured with a black & blue mark on my chest with some discomfort for 2 weeks.my body bent at the waist and my neck was not effected.a police report was filed.the cabin area where the seat belt assemblies are located were not damaged by the crash.within 1 week subaru requested information from me and resolved the case.i appreciate the company's quick response, but i am not satisfied with the resolution.i requested that the seat belts be evaluated by subaru experts along with other associated safety components, and to have my seat belt (at a minimum) replaced by my local dealership at no cost to me.manual states to replace the seat belt if in an accident.the company responded by saying that because the vehicle was in an accident, that subaru corporation will not do anything, will not inspect the vehicle and will not pay for new seat belts.the company also did not request any photos from the collision repair facility to validate that the seat belts were not physically altered by the impact.it was the crash that revealed that the seat belts did not operate as they were supposed to, to hold me back in my seat.because i contacted subaru corp with no visual damage to my seat belt, the insurance company will not replace the seat belt.my cost is over $500.

1. No failure yet.center, rear passenger, roof mounted, seatbelt is currently not being used on a 2004 subaru forester x.2. 10lb tug on the center, rear passenger, roof mounted, seatbelt on a 2004 subaru forester x will cause the headliner to cave.further inspection of the seatbelt retractor unitfound that it's mounted on a thin gauge metal (bendable) flap bolted to the roof with one bolt.3. Nothing has been yet.it's a new item problem.

On 03/26/2010, car failed to stop in spite of heavy pressure on the brake pedal. The abs did not cut in, the car veered to the left and collided with a vehicle causing extensive damage. Upon examination of the brakes, the following was found: driver side, outside pad worn to bare metal scoring rotor; inner pad frozen in position by accumulated rust under the inserts on the brake carrier. Rust thickness approx. 1 mm. Material remaining on the pad approx. 4 mm. On the passenger side both pads were frozen in place w/ approx. 5 mm of material remaining. Rust was removed from the brake carriers and new oem rotors and pads were installed.

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 i pulled the car strait back into the driveway to inspect the problem. While i was jacking the car up i noticed immediately the front passenger wheel appear to go limp and sloppy. After crawling underneath to check i found that the control arm had completely broke/rusted in half. A few weeks earlier i noticed the front control arms on both sides were quite rusted. After a little research i found that subaru had a recall on the control arms and would either replace then or re coat them. I then contacted a local dealer about the recall. After running my vin the told me that my vehicle had already been serviced for that recall in 2012 and that my control arms were under coated and therefore were not covered for replacement. So now after my control arm is completely broken i contacted the same dealer again and was told to try contacting subaru of america but that they could do nothing. I then contacted subaru of america and after giving them all my information was told again that my vehicle had already been serviced for the recall and was not covered, but if i took it to a dealer they would "look at it". I then contacted another local dealer and i was able to trailer it there myself. I am waiting for a response. This is a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed immediately before someone is hurt. Had the control arm broke while driving doen the road at any rate of speed the results could be catastrophic or even fatal.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact received notification of a manufacturers recall pertaining to the sun-roof replacement in october, 2010.the dealer was contacted and advised that the recall could not be performed because the part was not yet available. The dealer was unable to confirm when the part would become available. The contact feels the recall exceeded a reasonable time for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 45,102.

The rear hatch door does not latch and door can swing open.problem started around 45k and all the dealer would do is spray the mechanism with wd-40.the problem kept getting worse and i am fed up.as a result of this i would not buy another subaru.this problem has been on going for at least 2 years ,it happens everytime the hatch is open...it never latches when closed.

Rusting failure of the front lower control arm.no injuries, it was caught before the item failed.

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 vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

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: 11v464000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

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 was covered under a special coverage. The contact stated that because the vehicle was not registered in a stated listed for the special coverage, the vehicle was not eligible for the free repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

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 lower control arm. Looking today online for recalls on another issue i'm experiencing, i see that there was a recall on this exact issue, but only for cars sold in certain states. This is the exact issue that was wrong with my subaru, and i believe that owners in other states are experiencing this issue as well. Hopefully you will look at this before this happens to someone on the interstate and they lose control of their vehicle.

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 hadall 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 now have it serviced at pence subaru in richmond. The last time we were at the dealer we had an unpleasant experience and i was reticent to return. The sound got really bad about 2 weeks ago and i took it to an independent auto mechanic and he confirmed that the rear bearings had failed. We have heard a sound from the rear of the car on again and off again for years and had the brakes checked and worked on numerous times thinking this was the problem. Recent research on the internet leads me to believe that there is something wrong in the design of the bearings or the hub as many people have reported multiple failures while owning their cars. It seems as if a recall is in order here and the parts should be replaced at the manufacturers expense. I would appreciate your investigating the matter and any guidance that you can provide.

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 arm and it was very rusted.i had the vehicle towed to the nearest subaru dealer.the subaru dealer notified me that subaru recall wvx-34:front lower control arm/transverse link, issued 09/11 had been completed for this 2004 forester in 12/11.i was told that the lower control arms were not replaced in 2011, but that the lower control arms were treated with the recall-prescribed rust/corrosion prevention.this "fixed" recall lasted only 7 years!initially, the subaru dealership would not cover the cost to replace the lower control arms; however, as i placed a call with subaru of america (soa), i received another phone call from the dealership stating that they contacted their "rep" and agreed to pay 50/50 towards the cost of replacing both front lower control arms.i discussed this very unsafe issue with two different soa representatives, one of which was a supervisor.soa let me know that i would be responsible for the cost of this repair because it was a 2004.are you kidding me?my daughter was getting ready to make a deadly 100 mile trip in this vehicle claimed to have been "fixed" by subaru just seven years previous.how negligent is this, coming from a company claiming to have more cars on the road than anyone else and safer than others?i have four subarus (04' forester, 05' forester xt, 08 tribeca ltd., and 2010 impreza) and i've lost my faith in this organization.this is a deadly recall that soa is ignoring.

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 arm extremely rusted. Soa will provide all parts but i will have to pay labor. Ok had work done, all parts were new except axle(referb.) . Note; rust coat fix was done 2012. Per recall. (spray rust proof on an already suspect part noted in a nhtsa directive). Present day: called soa and inquired as to why i had to pay labor? i recently noticed the recall verbage , states; repairs will be handled bydealerrustproof or replace them will befree of charge. Soa said my car is too old and has too many miles ( 130, 214) and we gave you good will. No further good will provided. And subaru claims , '98 percent of subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today.' ???? is this an admission the vehicle has longevity?i plan on discussing this further with the subaru dealer (carbone) and if no satisfaction will file in small claims court to get my money back for this free service.

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 them and rotten them out....

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 existing safety recall. To allow the dealer to decide if the corrosion is light enough to simply spray rust proofing over it seems ludicrous. Rust proofing does not stop corrosion from continuing when it has already begun. I called subaru usa to see if they would replace the control arms. They would not, and would provide no compensation, as they feel their rustproofing satisfied the recall. The safety recall is for the life of a vehicle. If their rustproofing did not fix the problem, which it obviously did not, why shouldn't they be required to fix it correctly? control arms should not be permitted to rust away and fall off a car! how dangerous! i'm sure i'm not the only vehicle owner whose control arms eventually rotted away after the corrosion was 'rustproofed' over by subaru.so dangerous! i am asking that subaru be required to cover the costs of these control arms! and also, i am requesting the nhtsa to agree and advise subaru that a safety recall action that does not ultimately fix the safety issue should not be considered closed/completed.

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 destination and did my business. While reversing and turning the vibration happened again but more intensely at this time. I proceeded to drive down a smaller state highway(rte. 6) where i could go a slower speed and found that the vibration had gotten extreme to a point of when applying the brake the wheel locked up and i experienced a loss of control of the vehicle. I proceeded to a family members house, parked and jacked the vehicle up and removed the wheel. Upon inspection i discovered that the lower control arm had in fact rotted to a point of it snapping at the midpoint and thus discovered the mechanical issue with the vehicle. A safety recall was issued by subaru dealers of america and as per the vin my vehicle is covered under the recall. The control arm neither appears rustproofed nor replaced as per the recall.

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 can not drive in peace and i wonder if am not taking a chance driving a car that was straight as an arrow before the part replacement,please help,thank you.

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 contact repaired the vehicle on his own and replaced the gearing assembly (axle shaft, lower control arm, and bolt joint). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) in 2012. The failure mileage was 211,000. *lnpictures of control arm.

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 area. I am extremely fortunate to not have been injured or caused injury to others. Repairs totaled $929.95

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 that the lower arm failed due to corrosion and rust. The contact called the dealer (autonation subaru west, 16351 w colfax ave, golden, co 80401, (303) 578-6120) and a search was performed for the results of an unknown recall repair that was performed when the vehicle was previously owned. The dealer considered the repair successful; however, the failure recurred. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the recall repair was previously addressed and the failures were unrelated. The vehicle remained at the independent mechanic and the repairs were completed. The failure mileage was 161,728.

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.

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 nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru foresterthe contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 11v464000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm) and made an attempt to take the vehicle to the dealer for repairs, but the dealer did not have the parts needed for repairs available.the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired.the failure and the current mileage was 102,000.updated 03/14/12 the dealer corrected the problem on 02/22/12. Updated 03/19/12

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. While driving approximately 5 mph in reverse, there was a loud clunking noise and suddenly the front driver's side collapsed to the ground. The contact noticed the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to the dealer. There was a recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 11v464000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower arm). The vehicle was ineligible under the recall due to the vehicle not being originally sold or registered in the states mentioned in the recall defect. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.updated 6/12/12 the consumer stated the vehicle was inspected by a regional representative and the representative found nothing wrong. Updated 06/25/12

Right rear wheel bearing failed at 31000 milesin november 2005, and was replaced by the dealer. At 67000 milesinjune 2007, both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced. Car received all recommended oil changes and services. Is only used for highway and city driving.

Both rear wheel bearings needed to be replaced at 51,000 miles.

Both rear wheel bearings replaced at 51,000 miles.

In very cold weather, there is a strong gasoline smell inside the car that remains as the car warms up. This only occurs when temperatures are well below freezing.

The vehicle generated excessive static shock.the accelerator became stuck.there were times when the vehicle would go no more than 15- 20 mph.

When temps drop there is a strong smell of gas in the cabin, doesn't go away and people get very sick. It doesn't matter if it's in motion, stopped, anywhere, and nothing causes it to go away until well into spring time or warmer weather.

The contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that as he started the vehicle, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact turned the ignition off and turned it back on and the vehicle independently accelerated a second time. The third time the contact turned the ignition off and when restarting, the failure did not recur. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 38,530.

Vehicle abruptly accelerated while stopped with foot on brake in a residential neighborhood.vehicle jumped a curb and clipped a tree at high speed cutting across two home lawns.driver had no control of car and brakes did not work.vehicle finally came to a rest after brake pedal had been pushed all the way to the floor.significant damage to vehicle where it made contact with the tree.thankfully no one was outside at the time (3:00 pm)because someone could have easily been killed by the out of control vehiclealso had it not been for clipping the tree, the vehicle would have likely gone forward into a home.

While parking my car in a museum parking area on a slope, i shifted the automatic gear shift from reverse to drive and the car suddenly accelerated and took off down a crowded parking lot driveway at very high speed. The car was at a standstill at the time of the gear shifting.i could not slow or stop the rapidly accelerating car by braking.i was focused on not hitting people and other entering cars and didn't think to try the emergency brake or shifting into neutral.the car kept accelerating, despite my foot being heavily on the brake, and i aimed it into a tree rather than into an oncoming car.the car was "totaled".the airbag deployed and i was wearing a seat belt.i was very badly bruised with no concussion, whiplash or broken bones.i was taken by ambulance to the local hospital emergency room and discharged after a few hours.the steering wheel column was sheared off and the dashboard totally deformed by the force of my impact into them.the whole front end of the car was smashed in.i later checked the car at the impounding site and found no evidence of the driver seat floor mat being out of place or even touching the accelerator pedal.i am the sole driver of this car and had no prior similar problems.the weather at the time of the accident was cold, sunny and dry.

Floor mat detached from floor; rides up under and traps accelerator.

On august 3, 201 while driving on the highway, my 2004 subaru forester suddenly began to accelerate. I could not keep my speed below 80-90 miles per hour, even when my foot was not on the accelerator. I had to keep my foot on the brakes at all times. I tried to engage and disengage the cruise control, in case that was the issue. I was fortunate to be close to my home and usual car repair service. I was able to get there by constantly adjusting the gear i was in and keeping the brake engaged at all times. I was almost in an accident when trying to turn into my garage. I was able to stop the car in the parking lot by turning off the engine and engaging the parking brake at the same time. By the time i was able to stop, my brakes were smoking. My abs unit on the car has since failed. The car's accelerator unit was found to be caked by some sort of gunk, and this caused the accelerator to be stuck open. Repairs cost more than $1200.00.

The contact has 2004 suburu forrester. The contact stated that in january 2010 she was backing up the vehicle at 5mph. The vehicle began accelerating in reverse up to 60 mph. The vehicle crashed through a buildings metal garage door and part of the south wall. Within a few seconds the vehicle zoomed across the empty garage space and then crashed through and interior metal wall and into a large open work space. The vehicle did not stop until it became wedged between a large heavy work table and another object. The whole episode took only a few seconds. The vehicle caused a lot of property damage and the vehicle was destroyed.the contact feels it was a sudden acceleration problem. The failure and current mileages was 69000.the vin was unavailable at the time of the complaint.

Consumer is unable to see the speedometer while driving during day time when the sun is out. The sun light is obstructing consumer's view to see if he is complying with the speed limit. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, whoinformed the consumer that they were unable to change or correct the problem. The vehicle complied with the dot specs.

Accelerator took off at high rpm and continued at high rpm even in park.fortunately, i noticed that lifting my foot off the accelerator did not slow the car when driving in low traffic conditions at less than 40 mph and was able to overcome acceleration with braking with sufficient control to get to the dealership about 1 mile away.most definitely not the accelerator pedal; the mat was no where near the pedal.had an oil change two days prior, both otherwise nothing to report concerning the car.

Owner was pulling into a parking space at a grocery store parking lot when vehicle suddenly accelerated forward bumping the concrete parking post.when put in reverse, it again suddenly accelerated bruising a pedestrian.similar behavior while parking occurred in the same lot a month earlier but only causing damage to the license plate cover.we believe the drivers side floor matt slipped and have removed it.we did take it to the dealer to have the throttle computer board cleaned at the pin connector and map sensors, as had been suggested in an earlier nhtsa report for this car year and model.however, the mechanic said they were not dirty.

The vehicle generated excessive static shock.the accelerator became stuck.there were times when the vehicle would go no more than 15- 20 mph.

Subaru refuses to make winter blades for the rear wiper blade on 2004-2008 subaru foresters. This results in rear wiper blades that ice up and cannot effectively wipe the rear window in ice or snow. Rear vision is blocked. This summer blade failure has occurred more times than i can count. Stopping along side a highway to clean them off can be a safety hazard.ihave contacted subaru several times on this since 2004. All they say is that they will talk about it. Can you make them manufacture a winter blade?

Noise from left rear wheel grew louder for weeks on a 2004 subaru forester xt turbo with 87,800 miles. Tires plus in cooper city, fl, replaced the left rear wheel bearing. It seemed unusually soon for normal wear, and i found similar online complaints about subaru wheel bearings.

Driver was pulling onto route 66 when her right rear wheel almost came off. Turns out the wheel bearing failed, which apparently caused the brakes to go out. The car went off the right shoulder of the on ramp, then skidded to the left completely across route 66, and ended up almost at the jersey wall in the median, facing the oncoming traffic. Fortunately, the oncoming traffic was able to stop. By this time the right rear wheel was actually tilting out at the top,but she was able to drive back across route 66 and park on the shoulder. A young man who saw the mishap stopped and helped her jack the car up and take the wheel off. Car was towed away. Next day she found a car part about five feet away from where her car had been parked. Showed subaru service people the part -- it was the end of the right rear axle, which had sheared off, and apparently flew off the car. It looks like the wheel bearing had failed, and the weight of the car had snapped off the end of the axle, before she drove off. The wheel eventually started to come off, and fortunately it happened without fatal consequences.

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We found the following complaints for SUBARU FORESTER (2004)

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