2004 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 0%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,175miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 0% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,175 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.
“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. I have 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?”
NHTSA complaint #10211510, filed 2007-12, 85,175 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 12 | 16% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 90 | 42% |
| 2020 | 301 | 50% |
| 2019 | 406 | 49% |
| 2018 | 156 | 31% |
| 2017 | 116 | 20% |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 12 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
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 28, 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