2004 SUBARU IMPREZA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Impreza. This model year has 96 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Fuel/Propulsion System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Suspension Failures
Airbag Malfunctions
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Subaru Impreza. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 14 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 96 most recent complaints
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. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 MPH. The contact then in…
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. I have contacted the dealership numerous times, I have had Subaru of America represe…
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown code for the throttle body. The v…
There is a recall for fuel lines for MY2002-2003 Imprezas and the issue was resolved or a fix was implemented on late MY2004 vehicles. Unfortunately this means early MY2004 vehicles are still impacted by the issue with no recall in place. During cold weather or during cold en…
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V323000 (Air Bags) and 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable am…
I have already visited my local Subaru dealer to remedy this recall. I have a physical invoice as proof that my vehicle was inspected & already has the correct air bag installed. I have called the recall line (855-371-5406) MANY times & no matter who I speak to the recall does no…
Rubber fuel lines under the intake manifold leak fuel when the temperature falls below 40 degrees F. The smell permeates the cabin and fuel can be seen wetting nearby surfaces under the intake. An inspection can be performed. This represents a fire safety hazard that could occ…
The passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion. There was a previous recall to address this issue with an anti corrosion coating, but it did not prevent the control arm from corroding and failing. I had this addressed at the dealer, and they mentioned the issue wa…
THERE IS A STRONG FUEL/GASOLINE SMELL COMING THRU THE AIR VENTS FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES UNDER 30-25 DEGREES FARENHEIT. I'VE CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE IS TWO FUEL HOSES THAT START LEAKING WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY WINTER SINC…
SIMILAR TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #WQK-47 THE HARD BRAKE LINE NEAR MY GAS TANK HAS CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL OF MY BRAKE FLUID. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TRAVELING FARTHER THAN NORMAL. WHEN I GOT H…
I ARRIVED AT A GAS STATION WHERE I FILLED UP MY SUBARU IMPREZA RS 2.5L WITH 87 UNLEADED MID GRADE FUEL AND FROM THAT POINT ON STILL TILL TODAY MY VEHICLE HAS HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON AND I'M GOING 55 MPH OR HIGHER GASOLINE CAN B…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO LOCATED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE …
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.
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.
DURING THE PAST 8+ WINTERS, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. I'VE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT ONLY THE TWO PREVIOUS MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MY RESARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS WITH MANY SUBARU MODELS. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE T…
IT RECENTLY BEEN COLD IN COLORADO AND NOW I HAVE THIS RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. FUEL LINE LEAKING COMING FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN TWO DIRECT FEED LINE TO THE INJECTOR.
UNDER COLD CONDITIONS (40F OR LESS) THE RUBBER FUEL RAILS WILL CONTRACT UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WILL SLOWLY LEAK GASOLINE CAUSING AN OVERWHELMING SMELL AND POSSIBILITY FOR A FIRE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND UNDER MOTION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED I…
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END I SAW THAT THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAD CRACKED.
DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE PROPERLY PERFORMED A RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS I OWN A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR A SEVERE CORROSION ISSUE. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HADDAD SUBARU FOR THE RECALL SERVICE IN 2011 I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED B…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TI…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Subaru Impreza.
Recalls for 2004 Subaru Impreza
8 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Subaru Impreza. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Subaru Impreza — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Subaru Impreza reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Subaru Impreza has 96 NHTSA owner complaints, 7 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Fuel/Propulsion System (24 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Impreza?▾
#1: Fuel/Propulsion System (24 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (17 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (14 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Subaru Impreza?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2004 Subaru Impreza has 7 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 96 total NHTSA complaints. 6 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?▾
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Subaru Impreza. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2004 Subaru Impreza has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Fuel/Propulsion System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Subaru Impreza
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.