2004 Subaru Forester engine problems

Filed Mar 14, 2022 · Engine, Suspension · WA

Bracket to the sway bar bushing fell off

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Engine · 161,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was a leak in the head gasket. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer herb gordon subaru (3161 automobile blvd, silver spring, md 20904, (866) 520-7894) where it was diagnosed with the head cover gasket with needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v473000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the repairs were not covered under warranty and the costs for the repair would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 57,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · OR

Anytime the temperature drops below 60 degrees fahrenheit there's a strong smell of gasoline inside the cab of the vehicle. When looking under the hood I can see it dripping out of something underneath the intake manifold. Severe gas leak. Nauseous and dangerous fumes.

Filed Nov 24, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. Whether the vehicle was parked or being driven, a fuel odor was detected in and outside the vehicle. The fuel odor was most noticeable while operating the heater. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mid-hudson subaru (1715 u.s. 9, wappingers falls, ny 12590 (866) 678-2048) several times, but no leaks or failures were detected. The contact stated that the dealer finally detected a fuel odor and diagnosed the failure as a malfunction with tubing or piping within the engine. The parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would contact the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. *tt

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 76,000 miles · IN

Fuel leak in lines above engine but below intake during colder weather. Fuel fumes pulled into vehicle by heating system.

Filed Dec 7, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 149,966 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. When the vehicle was started, a very strong fuel odor emerged from the engine compartment. The fuel tank leaked fuel onto the manifold. The failure was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a fuel tank leak. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 149,966.

Filed Oct 14, 2016 · Engine · 110,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 subaru forester. While driving various speeds, the rpms began to increase and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and caught fire from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · OH

To whom it may concern, hello, I am the owner of a 2004 forester xt which I love. I've owned the car for almost a year and its been nothing but reliable up to this point. The weather outside is frightful, and with that comes a common problem for many subaru owners. During the cold snaps, say below 20f, there is strong fuel smells which fills the cabin. It only happens during start-up, and lasts about 15 mins before the car warms up. From searching many forums and internet threads it seems this problem has been occurring since early 2001. There was a recall notice (wvk-21)for the 2002 -2003 wrx's which had a same problem I am experiencing now. Unfortunately a recall was never issued for later model subarus which suffer the same problem. The problem is fuel leaking from 5 main fuel lines going into the intake manifold. It seems that when it is cold outside, the lines are shrinking and is allowing fuel to spew out everywhere. Just from searching for 3 days I've seen 125 cases of this happening to other owners. Will you please put out a bulletin before someone dies from there car exploding because of extra fuel leaking out of the fuel hoses. Please I beg of you, please issue a recall!!!

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 96,000 miles · AR

The smell of fuel became obvious after a 10-15 minute drive. Upon examination, there was fuel dripping from a fuel line. This occurred after the first freeze of the year, fitting other descriptions of this issue I found for this model.