U.S. vehicle reference
2004 Subaru Forester MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2004 Subaru Forester MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2004 Subaru Forester reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2004 Subaru Forester MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 21 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Premium Gasoline | 17 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,000 | 467.7368421052632 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinder turboManual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Premium Gasoline | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,200 | 493.72222222222223 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderManual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2004 Subaru Forester annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo, Automatic 4-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2004 Subaru Forester recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 11V464000
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, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
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. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · 04V473000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE OIL-FLOW CONTROL VALVE COVER BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
2004 Subaru Forester NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Subaru Forester 4-DR.w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 4/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2004 Subaru Forester gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 21 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Forester?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2004 Subaru Forester have recalls?
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated