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Seat beltsPart report

2004 Subaru Forester Seat belts Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
0%of 219 total for the year
Median mileage
76,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the seat belts of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 0% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10435388, filed 2011-11, 76,000 miles

Seat belts: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202522%
202311%
202211%
202031%
201961%
2018102%
2017102%
201661%
201591%
201492%
201334%
201233%
201175%
201062%
200921%
200611%
200410%
200332%
200154%
200011%
199943%
199822%

Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Forester

Fuel system
124 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Engine
23 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Engine cooling
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Other or unknown
9 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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