2004 Subaru Impreza
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Fuel/propulsion system
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 96 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1993 | 33 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 46 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 292 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2007 | 68 |
| 2008 | 176 |
| 2009 | 103 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 251 |
| 2014 | 108 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 125 |
| 2018 | 152 |
| 2019 | 193 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Fuel/propulsion system
25% · 24 reportsShow complaint excerpts
There is a very strong smell of unburned fuel in the cabin on cold days (Below 10F). The fuel smell dissipates when the car warms-up. The smell has caused passengers in the car to become sick and is a serious distraction to driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-12
Driver side fuel line that is connected to the fuel rail underneath the turbo inlet hose leaks gas. The smell is very noticeable and I'm pretty sure it's dangerous since it could cause an engine fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-24
During cold weather a strong smell of fuel can be detected coming from the engine bay while both moving and stationary. This problem only occurs during colder weather.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-09
Suspension
18% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing shock absorber and rear.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-03
Air bags
15% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
2004 Subaru Impreza air bags failed to deploy. *ts the consumers son received minor injuries. (Lawyer on behalf of consumer)
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-01-11
Solo car spin out....hit a brick wall no airbag deployment in the front end crash. Recieved two head wounds/knee injury/memory loss. Othing done to correct damage or situation.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-22
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-30
Fuel system, gasoline
14% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and throttlebody/manifold.
Power train
11% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2004-04-12Vehicle speed control04V128000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. Owner…
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R
2004-10-08Engine and engine cooling04V473000 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.
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I
2009-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-07-02 Fuel line leak
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I
2011-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Front suspension control arm failure
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R
2011-12-31Suspension11V464000 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…
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…
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I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-06-17Air bags15V323000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
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2023-03-15Air bags23V076000 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.
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel/propulsion system: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V128000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 04V473000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 11V464000 · Suspension
- Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
- Recall 23V076000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
- The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Impreza have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.