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2004 Subaru Forester Common Problems

Known issues & solutions

Model Years

All 200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

In the 12 months to November 2026, 137 2004 Forester were advertised for sale. Most had 185,000 to 300,000 km on the odometer.

Known Forester problems

Check which apply to a 2004 by its engine and series.

  1. 1 High oil consumption FB20 and FB25 petrol, about 2011 to 2015
  2. 2 CVT shudder and slow engagement Lineartronic CVT, mainly SJ, 2013 to 2018
  3. 3 Flat batteries and battery drain SK, 2018 to 2025
  4. 4 Coolant valve and thermostat faults SK 2.5, 2019 to 2025
  5. 5 EyeSight and stop-start complaints SK, 2018 to 2025
  6. 6 DPF clogging and injector wear 2.0 EE20 diesel, SH and SJ, 2009 to 2018

Money owing and write-offs on the Forester

6% had money owing
12% were recorded as written off

Of about 660 used Subaru Forester checked on Carify since November 2023. Every car checked: 9% had money owing and 13% were written off.

These are cars people chose to check before buying, so they are not a share of every Forester on the road. Money owing is what was registered against the car on the day it was checked.

Check a Forester for money owing and write-offs

Recall notices

No recall notices linked to the 2004 Forester yet.