2004 Subaru Wrx Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Subaru Wrx.

20032005
Complaints
46
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
1
Recalls
4

Worst 2004 Subaru Wrx Problems

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

#126 complaints

Gasoline Fuel System

Avg mileage:80,268 mi
#28 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:104,571 mi
#33 complaints

Airbags

Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Subaru Wrx.

Gasoline Fuel System
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
80,268
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
104,571
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Subaru Wrx. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Subaru Wrx

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~498,052 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.

Other Subaru Wrx Years

2004 Subaru Wrx — FAQ

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

Is the 2004 Subaru Wrx reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Subaru Wrx has 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Gasoline Fuel System with 26 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Subaru Wrx?
Top reported problems: Gasoline Fuel System (26 complaints, avg 80,268 mi); Fuel System (8 complaints, avg 104,571 mi); Airbags (3 complaints). 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 Wrx?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 85,986 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 Wrx?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Subaru Wrx include 1 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 1 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 Wrx have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 498,052 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 Wrx?
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 Wrx reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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