2004 Subaru Forester Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the wheels of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,800 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 miles“Noise from left rear wheel grew louder for weeks on a 2004 Subaru Forester xt turbo with 87,800 miles. Tires plus in cooper city, fl, replaced the left rear wheel bearing. It seemed unusually soon for normal wear, and I found similar online complaints about Subaru wheel bearings.”
NHTSA complaint #10263775, filed 2009-03, 87,800 miles“Driver was pulling onto route 66 when her right rear wheel almost came off. Turns out the wheel bearing failed, which apparently caused the brakes to go out. The car went off the right shoulder of the on ramp, then skidded to the left completely across route 66, and ended up almost at the jersey wall in the median, facing the oncoming traffic. Fortunately, the oncoming traffic was able to stop. By this time the right rear wheel was actually tilting out at the top, but she was able to drive back across route 66 and park on the shoulder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456954, filed 2012-04, 56,000 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…
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 4% |
| 2015 | 20 | 3% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 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 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 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