KnownCarProblems2004 Subaru Legacy Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Subaru Legacy, most often about the air bags (53% of complaints, typically around 129,000 miles). It is 20th of 26 Legacy model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2004 Subaru Legacy problems
Air bags
26 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 129,000 miles.
Subaru has indicated I should not let persons ride in my front passenger seat but has not offered a date when they will be willing to correct the problem. I was planning to sell the car but cannot do it until this situation is resolved.
Takata recall: my car's been listed since last june. No contact whatsoever from Subaru even though that's what I was told to expect. This is unacceptable. Luckily no incident so far, but the fields in this complaint form require dates, etc. So I'll use today's date.
Engine
7 complaints · 14%While operating the 2004 Subaru Legacy lt at a speed of 30 MPH a loud noise was heard from under the hood. Immediately the power steering was lost, causing sever lack of control, the battery trouble light and brake warning light came on in the instrument panel. Luckily no accident or injury occurred. Upon inspection…
There is a fuel smell under the hood. A repairman said that the fuel clamps were loose, however, to get to them he had to take the fuel rail off the motor to e to the clamps. They could not be serviced without dis assembly. We were quoted $500 to make the repair. This problem is prevalent on web chat rooms for these…
Speed control
5 complaints · 10%I was steering the car, just leaving the lot of a home improvement store. I made a right turn, drove the distance of, perhaps, a city block and moved into the left lane to make a left turn. I had to stop for a red light so I applied the brakes but the car did not want to stop. The engine began revving! The gas pedal…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Subaru Legacy. While driving at 2 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and went through the garage wall. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership but it had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 10%I was steering the car, just leaving the lot of a home improvement store. I made a right turn, drove the distance of, perhaps, a city block and moved into the left lane to make a left turn. I had to stop for a red light so I applied the brakes but the car did not want to stop. The engine began revving! The gas pedal…
Sudden deceleration. Occurred at complete standstill, 25mph and 65mph, speed appears not to be a factor. Check engine light comes on and cruise control quits and cruise light blinks and engine defaults to 1500rpm, all happens simultaneously, ergo no warning. Complete loss of gas pedal control. Intermittent problem.…
Brakes
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Dt: 04/30/05 problem began. At low speeds, the brakes were not responding and caused extended stopping distance and the steering felt out of control. An accident occurred on 05/07/05. At 35 MPH coming around a curve on a rainy day, the consumer tried to slow down, but brakes locked, and the consumer slid with no…
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the driver attempted to depress the brake paddle which went to the floor while the brake warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the parking brake to come to a complete stop however, the brake fractured.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Subaru Legacy recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
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 par
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: cables
Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
Risk: This could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger or sport utility vehicles may have a loose or out of position fuel filler hose clamp.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Questions about the 2004 Subaru Legacy
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Legacy?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (26 complaints, typically around 129,000 miles); engine (7 complaints); speed control (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Legacy have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 2, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Subaru Legacy?
- It is 20th of 26 Legacy model years by number of complaints, with 49 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.