2004 Subaru Forester Fuel/propulsion System Problems
NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 219 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE UPON STARTING THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. REALLY…”NHTSA complaint 10561032 — filed 01/22/2014
“I'VE OWNED MY 2004 SUBARU FOR 5 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT AS OF DECEMBER 2013, I'VE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10556013 — filed 12/13/2013
“DURING THE COLD WEATHER THERE IS AN VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CAR. I STARTED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND CAN…”NHTSA complaint 10555430 — filed 12/10/2013
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Subaru Forester have fuel/propulsion system problems?
Fuel/propulsion System is the most-reported problem area on the 2004 Subaru Forester: 63 of 219 complaints on file (28.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2004 Subaru Forester have in total?
219 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
