How do I know if my 2004 Subaru Forester has a recall?

To know if your 2004 Subaru Forester has an open recall, start by entering your vehicle's VIN or license plate in our Safety Recall Checker. We will find recalls that affect your vehicle and need to be repaired.

How do I check my VIN for recalls for free?

Check your 2004 Subaru Forester VIN for free by entering it into our Safety Recall Checker.

What happens if my 2004 Subaru Forester has an open recall?

If your 2004 Subaru Forester is affected by a recall, it means that NHTSA and the manufacturer have identified an issue with your vehicle. After you check your vehicle, you can contact a dealership to schedule a repair.

How long does a recall take to fix?

How long it takes to fix a recall depends on the exact repairs needed. Something simple like a software update can be done in minutes, but complex mechanical repairs may take days or weeks. Ask the dealership when you schedule your appointment.

Do you need a warranty for a recall?

Your 2004 Subaru Forester does not need to be under warranty to get recalls fixed. Recalls for safety-related items on your 2004 Subaru Forester are taken care of by Subaru at no cost to you even if your vehicle warranty has expired or if you are not the original owner of the vehicle.

How long does a recall last on a car?

A recall does not expire as long as the vehicle manufacturer remains in business or continues to make the replacement parts. Generally, recalls can be fixed for free up to 15 years after your car's date of manufacture.

Recalls

Model Recalls By Year

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Why should you check for safety recalls?

Road Safety Risks

Open recalls can be dangerous for you and your family.

Mail Delays

Older or used cars can be more difficult for manufacturers to locate.

Risk of Costly Damage

We'll connect you with a dealership near you to fix the recall at no cost.

2004 Subaru Forester

2 Recalls

NHTSA 11V-464 · OEM WVX-34

Front Lower Control Arms May Break

318,215 Potential Units Affected

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Vehicles Affected: 2003 Subaru Forester, 2004 Subaru Forester and 12 others

NHTSA 04V-473 · OEM WWU-05

Engine Oil Leak From Oil Control Valve Cover

26 Potential Units Affected

IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Vehicles Affected: 2004 Subaru Forester, 2004 Subaru Impreza and 1 other

Recalls

Subaru Forester Recalls by Year

2026 Subaru Forester Recalls

2025 Subaru Forester Recalls

2024 Subaru Forester Recalls

2023 Subaru Forester Recalls

2022 Subaru Forester Recalls

2021 Subaru Forester Recalls

2020 Subaru Forester Recalls

2019 Subaru Forester Recalls

2018 Subaru Forester Recalls

2017 Subaru Forester Recalls

2016 Subaru Forester Recalls

2015 Subaru Forester Recalls

2014 Subaru Forester Recalls

2013 Subaru Forester Recalls

2012 Subaru Forester Recalls

Model Recalls By Year

Recall FAQs

If your 2004 Subaru Forester is affected by a new safety recall, Subaru will attempt to contact you by sending you a notice in the mail. This notice will detail the defect, when parts for repair will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your unrepaired car is currently safe to drive or not.

If you aren't the original owner, have changed addresses, or have never visited your local dealership for service or maintenance, then you most likely will not receive a recall notice in the mail.

Another way to know whether your 2004 Subaru Forester has an open recall is to enter your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit alphanumeric code that can be found on the bottom edge of your car's windshield, on the driver's side. It can also be found on your vehicle's registration card.

You can check your 2004 Subaru Forester for recalls by entering your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker found above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-digit alphanumeric identification code on the bottom edge of your car’s windshield, on the driver’s side. It can also be found on your vehicle’s registration card.

Checking your VIN is the best way to find out if your car is affected by any recalls. Identical vehicles of the same make, model, year, and trim may not be affected by the same recall. A VIN is unique to a specific vehicle.

Your 2004 Subaru Forester is affected by a recall if the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided that a problem with your car makes it a safety risk or fails to meet safety standards. When this happens, the vehicle manufacturer is obligated to fix your vehicle.

Normally, you will receive a letter in the mail that explains the recall and how to get the defect fixed promptly and at no charge to you. The letter will explain what the exact defect is, when the parts will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your car is safe to drive or not.

But in many cases, the manufacturer won't know you own an affected vehicle, which is why you should check your 2004 Subaru Forester for safety recalls frequently.

Use our Safety Recall Checker to check your 2004 Subaru Forester for open recalls.

How long it takes to fix a recall depends on many different factors:

How many vehicles are affected by the recall? How complex is the problem to fix? How many different parts are involved in the repair? Are the repair parts available? Has the dealership received the parts for the repair yet? Do dealership technicians have training to conduct the specific repair? How many recalled cars can the dealer repair each day (while also doing their daily service business)?

Recalls are unrelated to your warranty coverage. Any recalls that are issued for safety-related items on your 2004 Subaru Forester will be repaired by the vehicle manufacturer at no cost to you. Even if your vehicle's warranty has expired and you are not the original owner of the vehicle, you are still eligible to have any open safety recalls on your vehicle repaired.

You can check for any open recalls on your 2004 Subaru Forester by entering its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.

Safety recalls that address a defective part or system on your 2004 Subaru Forester that came from the factory do not expire and can generally be fixed up to 15 years after the date of manufacture. Even if you are not the original owner, you can have repairs done to resolve any open recalls. This is important, especially if the recalls are safety-related. The only exceptions are if the carmaker is no longer in business or if the dealership can no longer get the needed parts. Recall repairs are generally free up to 15 years after the date of manufacture.

To check whether there are any open recalls on your 2004 Subaru Forester, enter its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker here. Your 2004 Subaru Forester VIN can be found at the base of the windshield or on your registration card. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.