2004 Subaru Forester Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 124about this part
- Share
- 57%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 124 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 57% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11206030, filed 2019-05, 130,650 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10702387, filed 2015-03, 150,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10556013, filed 2013-12, 179,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10564172, filed 2014-02, 162,006 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11058587, filed 2018-01, 201,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10234829Jan 15, 2014Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 17 | 17% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 4% |
| 2017 | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 57 | 9% |
| 2014 | 21 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 8 | 8% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 22 | 24% |
| 2004 | 124 | 57% |
| 2003 | 57 | 30% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
| 2000 | 6 | 8% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Forester
25 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology