Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Mar 29, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 219 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Subaru Forester submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming powertrain
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 29, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported
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 ID
11319673
Incident
Mar 28, 2020
Mileage
57,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 21, 2017
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. ENROUTE TO THE DEALER WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET, DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND FELT A SNAP THEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL PLAY IS NONE. LOOKED ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT FELL/DETACHED, AND IT LOOKED LIKE PART OF THE PEDAL BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. I EVENTUALLY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER. ARE FIREWALL SUPPOSED TO CRACK?
NHTSA ID
10990817
Incident
May 17, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 16, 2016
Fire reported
THE TURBOCHARGER BROKE TWICE IN THE 2D QUARTER 2015. SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT WAS FIXED, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE OVER THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT (WHILE BEING DRIVEN 9/18/15), UNDER THE HOOD. NEW SUBARUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON, BUT I THINK THE REPLACEMENT TURBOCHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SUBARU TURBO FP # WAS 14411AA5329L.
NHTSA ID
10926386
Incident
Sep 18, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 11, 2014
I STARTED THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT INTO GEAR. IT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE RELEASE WAS BROKEN. EVENTUALLY I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET IT INTO GEAR. IT HAS BEEN TO JACK WILLIAMS TIRE IN CAMP HILL, PA 17011 3-4 TIMES SINCE THEN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10621407
Incident
Jun 21, 2013
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2014
IN VERY COLD WEATHER (LESS THAN 10 F) THE RUBBER GAS LINES LEAK VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GAS ONTO THE ENGINE AND VERYNEAR THE HOT TURBOCHARGER. ANOTHER SUBARU JUST CAUGHT FIRE IN THE O'NEILL TUNNEL. HTTP://BOSTON.CBSLOCAL.COM/2014/01/27/CAR-FIRE-CAUSES-BACKUP-IN-ONEILL-TUNNEL/ *TR
NHTSA ID
10562177
Incident
Jan 15, 2014
Mileage
68,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 28, 2013
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. *TR
NHTSA ID
10495001
Incident
Mar 9, 2012
Mileage
119,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 28, 2011
BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAY, LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, TEARING THE CV JOINT OUT. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AT IT'S JOINT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10433133
Incident
Oct 9, 2011
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 27, 2006
2004 FORESTER XT STALLED, HAD LOSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION AND JERKED VIOLENTLY. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ID
10171175
Incident
Jul 25, 2006
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2004
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. *NM 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 *TC
NHTSA ID
10095402
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own