Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while having a routine safety check performed on the vehicle, she learned that the lower control was completely rusted. The contact learned that the repair was covered under a special coverage. The contact stated that because the vehicle was not registered in a stated listed for the special coverage, the vehicle was not eligible for the free repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
My vehicle had a recall on the lower control arms that would rust and and break. That is exactly what happened while I was driving with my family. Control arm broke causing other parts to get destroyed. The fender breaks and other parts. The recall was performed before hand but it obviously wasn't repaired correctly because it caused me to crash. Dave wright auto Subaru retailer in Iowa is refusing to repair my failed recall attempt. Consumer stated failed repair caused the consumer to crash and damaged more of my vehicle.
While driving down a state highway(rte. 195), I experienced a severe vibration at normal highway speed limit in the left front drivers side wheel. I pulled over to a breakdown lane and got out to visually inspect the wheel and surrounding area for any sign of trouble and did not notice any. The following day while driving the same highway the vibration again occurred but on a more frequent basis. I arrived at my destination and did my business. While reversing and turning the vibration happened again but more intensely at this time. I proceeded to drive down a smaller state highway(rte. 6) where I could go a slower speed and found that the vibration had gotten extreme to a point of when applying the brake the wheel locked up and I experienced a loss of control of the vehicle. I proceeded to a family members house, parked and jacked the vehicle up and removed the wheel. …
The control arm fell off. The body of the vehicle fell to the ground. The other one is almost completely rusted through. The recall on this part allowed the dealer to use their discretion to either replace the control arms, or spray rust proofing over corrosion, which they did. This obviously does not stop the rusting, and it eventually rusted through. I luckily was not injured. I am questioning the adequacy of the existing safety recall. To allow the dealer to decide if the corrosion is light enough to simply spray rust proofing over it seems ludicrous. Rust proofing does not stop corrosion from continuing when it has already begun. I called Subaru USA to see if they would replace the control arms. They would not, and would provide no compensation, as they feel their rustproofing satisfied the recall. The safety recall is for the life of a vehicle. …
12-2017; driving , straight at 40mph, state highway, right control arm snapped , almost lost control, right tire was bouncing but was able to stop. Towed car to Subaru dealer , carbone, utica, ny. Contacted Subaru of America case # 1-28524133057. Was directed to have dealer inspect damage. Dealer inspected damage rt. Control arm broken, seperated, front axle assembly damaged, stabilizer link damaged and left control arm extremely rusted. Soa will provide all parts but I will have to pay labor. OK had work done, all parts were new except axle (referb.) . Note; rust coat fix was done 2012. Per recall. (spray rust proof on an already suspect part noted in a NHTSA directive). Present day: called soa and inquired as to why I had to pay labor? I recently noticed the recall verbage , states; repairs will be handled by dealer rustproof or replace them will be free of charge. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. While driving 35 MPH, the front passenger side lower control arm fractured and became jammed in the wheel bed. As a result, the wheel seized and the vehicle slid to a stop on the shoulder after crossing lanes. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the lower control arm was shredded and the cv axle and rotor were also damaged. The mechanic stated that the lower arm failed due to corrosion and rust. The contact called the dealer (autonation Subaru west, 16351 w colfax ave, golden, co 80401, [phone]) and a search was performed for the results of an unknown recall repair that was performed when the vehicle was previously owned. The dealer considered the repair successful; however, the failure recurred. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. …
Having recently bought my 2004 Subaru Forester xt, it ran great for the first few months. Then, while on the highway, it would shake uncontrollably, almost like an earthquake. Having taken it to Subaru a month before, I mentioned that it was doing this a little, but not to the extent that it did on the highway. He said it would be $150 to look at it. Taking it in to a different mechanic, they had to replace the lower control arm. Looking today online for recalls on another issue I'm experiencing, I see that there was a recall on this exact issue, but only for cars sold in certain states. This is the exact issue that was wrong with my Subaru, and I believe that owners in other states are experiencing this issue as well. Hopefully you will look at this before this happens to someone on the interstate and they lose control of their vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. While reversing the vehicle in the driveway, the contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed that the front driver's side tire was turned outward. The contact lost control of the steering wheel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The contact repaired the vehicle on his own and replaced the gearing assembly (axle shaft, lower control arm, and bolt joint). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension) in 2012. The failure mileage was 211,000. Pictures of control arm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 40 MPH, an unusually loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The failure occurred when driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both front lower control arms exhibited excessive corrosion; however, the rear lower control arms were not as severely damaged. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. While driving 5 MPH making a left turn, the front passenger wheel turned in the opposite position and caused the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent garage lot where it was diagnosed that the control arm was corroded and caused both lower control arms and axle to detach. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2000 through November 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont,…
Remedy: Subaru will handle their vehicles and Saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of…
Suspension complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 11% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is rear (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Subaru Forester suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-464 (lower arm, Sep 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Subaru Forester suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.