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
- 90
- Recalls
- 11
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 90 complaints
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 | 277 |
| 2007 | 130 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 360 |
| 2011 | 652 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 297 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 509 |
| 2016 | 642 |
| 2017 | 921 |
| 2018 | 816 |
| 2019 | 1,035 |
| 2020 | 903 |
| 2021 | 299 |
| 2022 | 465 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2026 | 21 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
28% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
My 2004 Subaru Outback comes equipped with front side airbags. With only 900 miles on my car, I was "T-boned" By a Ford explorer under full acceleration.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-03
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-23
Takata recall. Not able to get access to replacement airbag. On waitlists at 2 local Subaru dealers.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-30
Vehicle speed control
22% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and cables.
Show complaint excerpts
My Subaru, forester xt has had numerous problems since it had 5000 miles. The engine performance is inconsistent.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-31
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing engine and exhaust system.
Electrical system
11% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and switch.
Show 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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-12
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, 2013-02-04
Also filed under Engine
Power train
11% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Safety timeline
11 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2003-08-27Fuel system, gasoline03V303000 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.
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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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2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-01-15Air bags14V763000 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.
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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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2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 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.
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2016-08-24Air bags16V361000 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.
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2016-08-24Air bags16V359000 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.
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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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Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline13E065000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 03V303000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V128000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 14V763000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V361000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V359000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Outback have?
- 11 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.