2004 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10495001, filed 2013-01, 119,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10990817, filed 2017-05, 160,000 miles“Our 2004 model, manual gear-box Subaru Forester 2.5 x stalls far too easily in first gear. Recently, my wife narrowly escaped a horrendous accident when the Forester's engine stalled on a busy highway trying to accelerate onto the highway from the side road which she has to use to access the highway from her place of work. We have spoken to other manual gear-box Subaru owners, including the Subaru wrx and liberty, who have told us that they experience the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10284971, filed 2009-09, 50,000 miles“Car was shifted from drive into neutral for operator to use a parking lot gate machine. The engine surged a 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 could not brake hard enough to stop the vehicle in time. Driver injured in crash.”
NHTSA complaint #11319673, filed 2020-03, 57,000 miles“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 $1500.00 to 2,000 dollars toward trading his vehicle in for another vehicle. Offer expires oct 31,2004”
NHTSA complaint #10095402, filed 2004-09Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10234261Dec 12, 2012Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Forester
124 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
16 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