2004 Subaru Impreza

● Typical for this model
2004 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:56:09.529Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Impreza Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 57 complaints 2012: 242 complaints 2012 2013: 248 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 149 complaints 2019: 191 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2004: 96 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201045
201157
2012242
2013248
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018149
2019191
202085
202114
202212
20234
202429
20254
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 25%

25% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 24 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show 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, 20150112

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, 20180424

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, 20180109

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20241030

SUSPENSION 10%

10% of complaints: suspension — 10 distinct reports on file.

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, 20250403

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040412 — vehicle speed control

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 ACCELERATO

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 NOTIF

Campaign 04V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041008 — engine and 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.

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.

Campaign 04V473000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090310 — PE (closed 20090702)

FUEL LINE LEAK

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110923)

Front suspension control arm failure

R 20111231 — suspension

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 ORIGI

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 W

Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150617 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230315 — air bags

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.

Campaign 23V076000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V128000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V473000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V076000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.