2004 Subaru Forester Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 0%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 244,123miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 0% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 244,123 miles.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11079474, filed 2018-03, 244,123 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
- 10153183Nov 13, 2018This post was revised in error. It has been corrected back and removed from the posting list. The message was corrected on 04-13-14R posting dated 11/14/2018.
- 10093117Sep 18, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
- 10140549Jun 17, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 5% |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Forester
124 complaintsSuspension
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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