2004 Subaru Impreza Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Impreza.

20032005
Complaints
113
Crashes
9
Fires
4
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2004 Subaru Impreza Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#124 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:115,751 mi
#212 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:122,742 mi
Crash-related:2
#310 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:126,854 mi
Considering a 2004 Subaru Impreza?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Subaru Impreza.

Fuel System
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
115,751
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
122,742
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
126,854
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,312
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,160
Manual Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Throttlebody/Manifold
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

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.

Recalls for 2004 Subaru Impreza

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,248,283 vehicles.

23V076000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~130 affected

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.

20V001000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~258,813 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

20V003000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~111,562 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

20V002000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~127,547 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

15V323000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~432,016 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

11V464000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~318,215 affected

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 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

Other Subaru Impreza Years

2004 Subaru Impreza — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Subaru Impreza has 113 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System with 24 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
Top reported problems: Fuel System (24 complaints, avg 115,751 mi); Airbags (12 complaints, avg 122,742 mi); Suspension Failures (10 complaints, avg 126,854 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 107,622 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Subaru Impreza include 9 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,248,283 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Subaru Impreza?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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.

Check Any VIN — $4.99