2004 Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (23) · Air Bags (11) · Suspension (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Impreza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
72 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2023-02-13 · campaign 23V076000 · 130 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V001000 · 258,813 vehicles
Defect: 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 passeng
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V002000 · 127,547 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V003000 · 111,562 vehicles
Defect: 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." Thes
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-05-28 · campaign 15V323000 · 432,016 vehicles
Defect: 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 wit
Risk: 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.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-5
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2011-09-06 · campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
Defect: 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 L
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (208)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 208 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-03 · Suspension · 235,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 subaru impreza. the contact stated while driving 60 mph and hard braking, the vehicle started shuddering violently and the steering wheel was not operating as needed. the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 mph. the contact then inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the front driver's side control…”
2024-10-30 · Air Bags“i have had this airbag recall repaired 8 years ago, yet the dealership (autonation subaru arapahoe 9955 e arapahoe rd centennial, co 80112) refuses to submit the paperwork to complete the recall. i have contacted the dealership numerous times, i have had subaru of america representatives come out to my house to verify this airbag recall has been co…”
2023-03-20 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:throttlebody/Manifold · 162,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 subaru impreza. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown code for the throttle body. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the fa…”
2022-10-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is a recall for fuel lines for my2002-2003 imprezas and the issue was resolved or a fix was implemented on late my2004 vehicles. unfortunately this means early my2004 vehicles are still impacted by the issue with no recall in place. during cold weather or during cold engine startup fuel lines are prone to leaking onto cylinder head. raw …”
2022-07-28 · Suspension · 191,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 subaru impreza. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v323000 (air bags) and 11v464000 (suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. the manufacturer was not made awa…”
2022-05-03 · Air Bags“i have already visited my local subaru dealer to remedy this recall. i have a physical invoice as proof that my vehicle was inspected & already has the correct air bag installed. i have called the recall line (855-371-5406) many times & no matter who i speak to the recall does not clear despite me informing them i have already completed the repair.…”
2022-01-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“rubber fuel lines under the intake manifold leak fuel when the temperature falls below 40 degrees f. the smell permeates the cabin and fuel can be seen wetting nearby surfaces under the intake. an inspection can be performed. this represents a fire safety hazard that could occur while the vehicle is in motion, jeopardizing all surrounding traffi…”
2021-07-15 · Suspension“the passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion. there was a previous recall to address this issue with an anti corrosion coating, but it did not prevent the control arm from corroding and failing. i had this addressed at the dealer, and they mentioned the issue was addressed. recall nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 …”
2021-02-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is a strong fuel/gasoline smell coming thru the air vents from the engine when the temperature goes under 30-25 degrees farenheit. i've checked under the hood and there is two fuel hoses that start leaking when it gets cold outside. this has been happening every winter since i got my car back in 2016. i had the clamps on the hoses retightened…”
2020-05-01 · Service Brakes · 165,000 mi“similar to recall campaign #wqk-47 the hard brake line near my gas tank has corroded and leaked all of my brake fluid. had i been on the highway this could have been catastrophic. the vehicle was in motion, i noticed the brake pedal was traveling farther than normal. when i got home, there was almost no braking ability left in the car, pedal went t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.