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

2004 Subaru WRX

Typical pattern

4.4% of complaints about the 2004 Subaru WRX 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 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is fuel system (27 complaints), typically at 6.3 yr or about 66,000 miles.

Complaints
45
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
75,000 n=38
Crash / fire / tow
6.7% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Fuel system
27 reports · 66,000 mi
6.3 yr
3.7%

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.

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.

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.

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.

06E060000 2006-06-29
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

In owners’ own words

Fuel system 58,000 mi 4.3 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU WRX. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT END. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE. THE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
Fuel system 66,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
TEMPS IN THE TEENS CAUSES A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF AN 04 SUBARU WRX. *TR
Fuel system 65,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD OUT (MOSTLY BELOW 20 DEGREES). I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF THIS CAR THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE BUT IT APPARENTLY HASN'T GONE AWAY. *TR

Other WRX model years

2022201520092008200420032002

How to read this