2004 Subaru WRX
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
- 42
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Fuel system, gasoline
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
64% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 42 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 427 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Fuel system, gasoline
64% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
Show complaint excerpts
When in freezing temperatures, my car is leaking gasoline in the engine compartment. Gasoline fumes are entering the passenger compartment causing nausea,dizziness and coughing (Hence I am claiming/considering this as personal injury).
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-11
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
I own a 2004 Subaru WRX with 42000 miles. It was recently below 20 degrees in town and I noticed a raw gas smell coming from the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-01-14
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 Subaru WRX. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact smelled a strong gasoline smell coming from the front end. He opened the hood and discovered a fuel leak on the fuel line near the intake manifold.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-12-11
Fuel/propulsion system
19% · 8 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Having recently moved to a cold weather state, I discovered that when the temperature is below freezing there is a smell of gasoline in the passenger cabin.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-13
During cold weather fuel smell coming from engine and is leaking
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-29
Also filed under Engine
Air bags
7% · 3 reportsShow complaint excerpts
As a result of a multi-vehicle traffic accident the passenger side airbag deployed causing the female occupant to have a frontal skull fracture from shrapnel like pieces and neuro trauma.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-11-11
Suspension
5% · 2 reportsMost commonly citing rear.
Engine and engine cooling
5% · 2 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
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I
2009-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-07-02 Fuel line leak
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R
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 WRX — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel system, gasoline: 27 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 8 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
- 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 WRX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Subaru WRX is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru WRX?
- The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru WRX have?
- 5 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.