2004 Subaru Outback
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 276 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 105 |
| 2010 | 359 |
| 2011 | 649 |
| 2012 | 290 |
| 2013 | 295 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 505 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 917 |
| 2018 | 803 |
| 2019 | 1029 |
| 2020 | 890 |
| 2021 | 291 |
| 2022 | 453 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 89 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
27% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2004 SUBURBAN OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
NHTSA ODI report, 20180323
TAKATA RECALL. NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. ON WAITLISTS AT 2 LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171030
20% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
DRIVERS DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND FLAMING. I PULLED THE PART OF DOOR/ARMREST HOLDING THE WINDOW/MIRROR/LOCK CONTROLS AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND BLOW OUT FLAMES BEFORE FIRE SPREAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130612
THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AT 2:30 IN THE MORNING IN MY DRIVEWAY. WE LAST DROVE THE CAR HOME AT 10:30 THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR FOUR HOURS IN COLD WEATHER (AROUND 20 DEGREES).
NHTSA ODI report, 20130204
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
MY SUBARU, FORESTER XT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAD 5000 MILES. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040831
3% of complaints: visibility — 3 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN PASSENGER OR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE OR OUT OF POSITION FUEL FILLER HOSE CLAMP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP ON THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 03V303000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51.
Campaign 14V763000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
Campaign 16V358000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16.
Campaign 16V361000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
Campaign 16V359000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
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
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's.
Remedy: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014.
Campaign 13E065000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V303000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V128000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V763000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V358000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V361000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V359000 (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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Subaru Outback reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Subaru Outback is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Outback have?
11 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.