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2004 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Subaru Outback, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 24th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2004 Subaru Outback problems
Air bags
25 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
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.
The national highway traffic safety administration web site reflects my vehicle identification number as one listed in the air bag recall alert. Checking with my dealer's service manager at goldstein Subaru, in albany, n.y. And he assures me my vehicle is not subject to the recall. Last week I sent two e-mails to…
Speed control
20 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate. The contact was able to apply the brake pedal and slow the vehicle down; however, when he released the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving into a parking space the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward while the contact applied the brakes and crashed into a building. The contacts face hit the steering wheel and she also injured her ankle. The vehicle was currently in the dealers…
Engine
15 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact moved the vehicle off of the road and added coolant to the radiator. The coolant continued to leak out of the radiator; therefore, the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer…
During early december 2010 my wife was driving the car and heard a huge rattling noise. She pulled over and we got the car towed to the dealership. We were told that the valve on the engine cylinder got damaged and as a result the valve stem has fallen into the cylinder. As the piston was moving, it got damaged. So we…
Transmission
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, clutch assembly, manual transmission.
: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked with the engine still on, the transmission slipped out of gear. The vehicle rolled forward and struck a tree. Because the seat belts were not worn, minor facial injuries were sustained by one occupant. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. There is a NHTSA…
Blown headgasket at only 40k. Car has been maintained on a regular schedule with extra care car when needed. Took to dealer and complained of smell of coolant in the interior of car when driving and after shutting vehicle down or at a traffic light stop. Took to dealer complaining of a noise coming from the bottom of…
Electrical
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator.
My 2004 Subaru Outback sedan would idle extremely high. When I put it in reverse it would lurch back suddenly. As I was driving, I would take my foot off the pedal and it would remain at the speed I was going. It was looked at twice and was not able to be replicated. The service tech stated he had seen the problem…
Upon starting the vehicle and shifting in drive or reverse, the vehicle will accelerate erratically with force. This has also occurred with normal driving. The vehicle has been to the dealer on several separate occasions, but the problem recurred. On each occasion the following repairs were made; electrical grease was…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
2004 Subaru Outback, h6 (6-cylinder) with a faulty pulsation dumper/damper valve. Part of the fuel injection system, the valve assembly sits above the intake manifolds on both sides of the engine. The passenger side valve (metal construction) was literally weeping gasoline (strong smell inside cabin was the tip off).…
Gas (fuel) smell (fumes) in cabin when starting car in cold weather. Known problem: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f117c3e http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131755&page=47.
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: windshield.
On a very cold day the windshield cracked after turning on the defroster. No cracks were previously observed on the windshield. The car is only 3 weeks old.
Consumer states, "the front windshield had a crack when using the windshield wipers deicer". The dealer replaced the front windshield at no charge. Within a year or more the front windshield cracked again in the same place. After the consumer used the windshield wipers deicer again.
Suspension
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: front.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. While driving uphill at 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the RPM's increased to 6,000. The RPM's then decreased and the tires churped. The contact heard a bumping sound, which was the sound of the front axles failing. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The…
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 Outback 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 Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (25 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); speed control (20 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru Outback 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 Outback?
- It is 24th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 90 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.