Three problems related to engine oil leaking have been reported for the 2004 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2004 Forester.
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.
This car has an oil leak coming from the top of the engine. It is exactly the same problem described in your recall number 04v-473 of September 27, 2004. Because this Forester, an xs model, is not listed in the recall 04v-473, the dealer refused to repair the oil leak. It is the same problem as noted in the recall for the xt model Forester.
Engine compartment fire, resulting from oil leaking in engine compartment. There were no injuries and because of proximity of fire department fire was extinguished within 4-5 minutes. Subaru of America (soa) maintains that oil leaked from oil filter and that this is no fault of theirs. Given the history of recalls of this type of vehicle in japan for leaking oil and fires I am not sure that this point has been demonstrated. Soa refused to fix damage and told me to file an insurance claim. . . Which I have done. Damage is estimated to be $6-10k. Matter will be subrogated to insurance company for settlement.