2004 Subaru Forester - Problems, Statistics, and Analysis

🔎 Common problems of the 2004 Subaru Forester

270 problems have been reported for the 2004 Subaru Forester. The following chart shows the 19 most common problems for 2004 Subaru Forester. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's fuel system, other with 71 problems. The second most common problem is related to the vehicle's fuel system, gasoline (52 problems).

Table 1. Common problems of the 2004 Subaru Forester

Problem Category Number of Problems
  Other Fuel System
71
  Gasoline Fuel System
52
  Engine And Engine Cooling
39
  Suspension
25
  Air Bag
23
  Equipment
12
  Vehicle Speed Control
11
  Power Train
11
  Service Brakes
5
  Electrical System
4
  Structure
4
  Unknown Or Other
3
  Wheel
3
  Tire
2
  Seat Belt
1
  Seats
1
  Visibility
1
  Steering
1
  Latches/locks/linkage
1

📈 PPMY Index and Problem Occurrence Trend

In our research we use the PPMY index to compare the reliability of vehicles. The PPMY index of a certain model is defined as the problems reported per thousand vehicles per Year. The total sales of the 2004 Subaru Forester in the United States are 63,323 units [1]. If the total number of problems reported by Subaru Forester owners in the last 20 years is 270, and the age of the vehicle is 20, the PPMY index can then be calculated as

      PPMY Index = 270 / 63,323 / 20 * 1000 = 0.21.

For more information, refer to this page: A study of reliability comparison across Subaru Forester model year vehicles.

The following chart shows the number of problems reported during each of the service years since the debut of the 2004 Subaru Forester in 2004.

Table 2. PPMY Index and Problem Occurrence Trend

Service Year Number of Problems
  2024
1
  2023
2
  2022
5
  2021
2
  2020
6
  2019
3
  2018
10
  2017
13
  2016
21
  2015
18
  2014
42
  2013
29
  2012
15
  2011
21
  2010
25
  2009
14
  2008
10
  2007
8
  2006
4
  2005
14
  2004
7

📊 Compare the 2004 Subaru Forester with Other Model Years

When making the decision between buying a new or used Subaru Forester, the following table can be used to compare the 2004 Subaru Forester with the Subaru Forester from other model years. Note that the number of problems reported for the 2004 Forester is 270 while the average number of problems reported for the 27 model years of the Subaru Forester is 273.

Table 3. Compare the 2004 Subaru Forester with other model years

Model Year Number of Problems
  2024 Forester
3
  2023 Forester
30
  2022 Forester
88
  2021 Forester
172
  2020 Forester
659
  2019 Forester
945
  2018 Forester
534
  2017 Forester
632
  2016 Forester
503
  2015 Forester
806
  2014 Forester
518
  2013 Forester
88
  2012 Forester
137
  2011 Forester
194
  2010 Forester
298
  2009 Forester
223
  2008 Forester
62
  2007 Forester
87
  2006 Forester
119
  2005 Forester
108
  2004 Forester
270
  2003 Forester
237
  2002 Forester
109
  2001 Forester
168
  2000 Forester
91
  1999 Forester
156
  1998 Forester
137


Safety Ratings of Forester Cars
Fuel Economy of Forester Vehicles
Forester Service Bulletins
Forester Safety Recalls
Forester Defect Investigations