- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Subaru Outback Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (25) and the acceleration & cruise control (20). Those complaints describe 9 crashes, 4 fires and 4 injuries. It is covered by 11 recalls, the latest in January 2020 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2003 has 95 and the 2005 has 273.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Outback year, for its age
#116 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 90
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 9
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 4
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Subaru Outback problems
Share of all 90 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Subaru Outback recalls 11
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Note: This recall covers vehicles that were not previously covered in 16V-358 for Zone A or 16V-359 for Zone B.
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
- The problem
- 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. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.
- The problem
- 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. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
- The problem
- 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 accelerator pedal is released. If this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.
- The risk
- If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- 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 notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
- The problem
- Certain passenger or sport utility vehicles may have a loose or out of position fuel filler hose clamp.
- The risk
- This could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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90 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
Autozone sold me (via warranty exchange) aftermarket brake pads that supposedly were the same part #d929 as the brake pads autozone had previously sold me and was replacing under warranty. However, the brake pads that they provided to me today as warranty replacements were too large for the brake caliper and would be unsafe if installed and forced to fit in the caliper. Specifically, the inner shoulder dimension on these pads is too large to fit properly in the caliper. I verified the problem by purchasing...
Read the full complaint
brake pads from a different auto supply store and installing them with no difficulty. This problem occurred when the vehicle was stationary, because it happened during brake pad replacement.
I get cards,i call,i get letters ,i call doesn't matter who sends them,you or subaru dealer ,telling me I need to have an airbag swapped out as being defective,and me telling you I do not have the car anymore,it was picked up by an auction house but it needed alot done to it so they may have scrapped it,i don't know. What I do know is this is the last you will hear from me about this car, and you can waste as many trees sending me notices. From now on they go in the trash,no more calls from me,and don't call me about it,the car was junked,period
Purchased this car listed in iaa website as having $68,000.00 Miles, this week my mechanic told me that the car had $220,000.00 Miles. I just checked carfax unfortunately that is a odometer rollback.
NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG PASSENGER FRONT RECALL.
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. *Js
Excessive underbody front end rust as per body shop bumper replacement.
Takata recall. Not able to get access to replacement airbag. On waitlists at 2 local subaru dealers.
I received a recall notice on passenger side airbag in july 2016..I was told I would be informed by mail when parts were available for repair by my local subaru dealer. It's 14 months later and I have not received any further notice. I do not believe this has been handled in a timely manner and still cannot have passengers in front seat.
The car will be operating properly at speed on local roads (30mph or so) when, without warning, the engine will go to a fast idle and the gas peddle loses all effectiveness. Stopping the car and restarting it has fixed the problem the three times it has happened. The dealer replaced the accelerator pedal position switch but the problem has reoccurred. This is a potentially very dangerous situation, especially if it were to occur pulling onto a highway or being in traffic on a busy road
Takata recall. Received notification from subaru months ago and have they have still not contacted me to repair this problem. Since I was advised not to allow a passenger in front passenger seat, it makes it very difficult to use my vehicle.
Takata recall. My complaint is that this recall is not being handled in a timely manner. I received my recall notice in july 2016, and am still waiting! It is extremely inconvenient not to be able to use the passenger seat. When will this be resolved?
Takata recall: I was notified in july 2016. I have not received any notification from subaru or the dealer that the part has become available. I have called both subaru and the dealer. I have waited three months, that is too long .
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v361000 (air bags); however the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/16/17*lj updated 08/31/2017*js
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v361000 (air bags). The part to the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Takata recall - I was notified of the recall in july of 2016. There has been no effort by the manufacturer to provide a remedy in the form of the replacement airbag. The recall notice stated I should not allow anyone to ride in the passenger seat until the recall work is complete. This is an unreasonable solution for a problem with a passenger vehicle as it prevents my use of the vehicle as designed and as purchased. The manufacturer must be required to commit to completing the recalls in a timely manner, such as 60 to 90 days.
"Takata recall" received a letter telling me the air bags are going to be replaced, "do not let passengers use the seat", no date for replacement, no parts in stock, does this absolve the company of any liability? Cant take any trips with more than 2 passengers that would have to sit in the rear seats? What options are left for me to use my vehicle for taking my family anywhere???
Takata recall: remedy not to drive car with passengers until replacement parts are available is one that has me wondering if I need to seriously consider getting rid of the car and get another that I can use. Can we be provided at least with some sort of estimation of 'when' parts are forecasted to be available?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failed. While driving 35 mph, the accelerator pedal stuck to the floorboard and caused the speed to increase to 70 mph. The contact had to crash into a tree to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 230,000.
V
Subaru has issued a recall on passenger airbags (nhtsa recall no. 16V-359). The parts are not available, there is no schedule of when they may be, and the vehicle owner is instructed to not allow passengers in the front seat. This is an unacceptable, unsafe solution. In addition, the website for information listed does not work. They are unable to remedy my vehicle in a reasonable amount of time.
When I bought this car I found the top of the scissors jack was bent over, I replaced it with a very good junkyard replacement. Last night I got a flat and when I jacked up the car. The top of the jack bent over just as the wheel was coming off the ground. It bent exactly the same way as the original. These are stamped steel jacks of a light steel and no bracing on the top riser and in my opinion, dangerous.
I cannot determine if my vehicle is on the tikata airbag recall list. The dealer says it isn't. The nhtsa site says it is, the vin shows it isn't specifically. My question is if the 2004 outbacks are included in the recall or if the nhtsa info is wrong....Please advise.....Updated 10/02/15*bf updated 12/28/15*js
Unintended acceleration. Not driver error, not stuck floormat. Vehicle started accelerating above 7 on the tachometer. Pushed in clutch of course. Stopped with clutch in and vehicle just kept revving higher. Shut off car and restarted later. Terrifying.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru outback. While attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Subaru Outback: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 230 | 8 | C |
| 2007 | 131 | 8 | B |
| 2006 | 281 | 7 | C |
| 2005 | 273 | 9 | C |
| 2004 | 90 | 11 | B |
| 2003 | 95 | 15 | B |
| 2002 | 147 | 5 | B |
| 2001 | 170 | 4 | B |
| 2000 | 207 | 2 | C |
2004 Subaru Outback vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Subaru Outback | 90 | 11 | B | |
| 2004 Ford Explorer | 1,408 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1,295 | 14 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Durango | 1,115 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER | 678 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Nissan Murano | 678 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Hyundai Santa FE | 303 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Toyota Highlander | 286 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Kia Sorento | 220 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2004 Subaru Outback
Does the 2004 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2004 Subaru Outback: inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (May 2016) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Outback?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (25), acceleration & cruise control (20), engine & cooling (15).
How many complaints has the 2004 Subaru Outback had?
90 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 3, 2003 and the latest on October 17, 2020. Of these, 9 describe a crash and 4 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Subaru Outback a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 74 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Subaru Outback year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Subaru Outback years have the most complaints?
2019 (1,036), 2017 (921), 2020 (906). See every Subaru Outback year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 Subaru Outback has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data