What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Subaru Impreza

Typical pattern

15.9% of complaints about the 2004 Subaru Impreza came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is fuel / propulsion (24 complaints), typically at 11.4 yr or about 110,000 miles.

Complaints
113
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=85
Crash / fire / tow
9.7% of reports
Safety recalls
8

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Fuel / propulsion
24 reports · 110,000 mi
11.4 yr
4.2%
Suspension
17 reports · 56,307 mi
9.8 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V076000 2023-02-13
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

20V002000 2020-01-02
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

20V003000 2020-01-02
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

20V001000 2020-01-02
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same de

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V323000 2015-05-28
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, c

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

11V464000 2011-09-06
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, 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

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

04V473000 2004-10-01
Engine cooling

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.

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

04V128000 2004-03-16
Vehicle speed control:cables

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Suspension 25,000 mi 8 mo in service
FOR SOME TIME BOTH REAR STRUTS IN MY CAR HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WILL NOW GET STUCK IN A CERTAIN POSITION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS IT MAKES THE CAR WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE PARTICULAR CARS. THEY HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT.
Suspension 10,000 mi 1.5 yr in service
THE REAR STRUT OF MY 2004 WRX STI CLUNKS ALL THE TIME. ANY RANGE OF SPEED ALL THE WAY UP TO 50-60. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE STI'S OVER AS LITTLE AS 5,000 MILES. SUBARU HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!!*AK
Suspension 13,000 mi 1.2 yr in service
REAR STRUTS STICK AND WILL NOT REBOUND AFTER A COMPRESSION STROKE. CAUSES REAR TO SAG AND HANDLING FEELS VERY LOOSE. VERY NOISY. SUBARU OF AMERICA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS EITHER A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE FLAW, AND DOES NOTHING TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE ARE HUNDRED IF NOT THOUSAND OF DOCUMENTED CASED ON THE INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THREE REAR STRUTS REPLACED, SO FAR...AND ONCE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, REPAIR COSTS ARE $500 PER STRUT LABOR INCLUDED TO REPLACE.
Fuel / propulsion 95,068 mi 9.3 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VENTS INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE CLAMP GOING TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RAIL FOR THE INJECTORS WAS LOOSE AND LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT TIGHTENED THE CLAMP AND PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,068.

Other Impreza model years

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