Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Subaru Impreza problems
Owners filed 96 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between Jun 2004 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (24).
Complaints
96
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system24
- Suspension17
- Air bags14
- Fuel system, gasoline13
- Power train9
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Visibility4
- Structure3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Equipment2
- Service brakes1
- Service brakes, air1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
16
6
3
5
2
2
2
1
7
5
8
9
5
2
2
1
2
4
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Fuel/propulsion system
24 reports
“There is a recall for fuel lines for MY2002-2003 Imprezas and the issue was resolved or a fix was implemented on late MY2004 vehicles. Unfortunately this means early MY2004 vehicles are still impacted by the issue with no recall in place. During cold weather or during cold engine startup fuel lines are prone to leaking onto cylinder head. Raw fuel can be observed dripping, and can be smelled in the engine bay and inside of the vehicle. This poses a fire risk during vehicle operation and the MY2002-2003 recall should be extended to MY2004 vehicles built prior to August 2003.”
Suspension
17 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and hard braking, the vehicle started shuddering violently and the steering wheel was not operating as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 MPH. The contact then inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the front driver's side control arm had fractured. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.”
Air bags
14 reports4 crashes5 related recalls
“I have had this airbag recall repaired 8 years ago, yet the dealership (Autonation Subaru Arapahoe 9955 E Arapahoe Rd Centennial, CO 80112) REFUSES to submit the paperwork to complete the recall. I have contacted the dealership numerous times, I have had Subaru of America representatives come out to my house to verify this airbag recall has been completed, yet I cannot get the recall status of my vehicle to be updated to show that the recall has been completed.”
Fuel system, gasoline
13 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown code for the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.”
Power train
9 reports1 fire
“UPON STARTING THE CAR DURING THE COLDER WINTER MONTHS, A RAW FUEL SMELL WILL BEGIN TO FILL THE CABIN IF THE HVAC SYSTEM IS TURNED ON TO VENT FRESH AIR. THIS SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND THE SENSATION OF NAUSEA. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FUEL UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN VISIBLY SEE A PUDDLE OF FUEL BOILING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO HARD METAL FUEL LINES RUNNING TO THE FUEL INJECTORS CONNECTED BY A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE WITH CLAMPS. HOWEVER THIS HOSE FROM THE FACTORY IS CUT TOO SHORT, SO WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD ENOUGH THE RUBBER LOOSES ITS ELASTIC PROPERTIES AND AS THE METAL LINES VIBRATE / MOVE WITH THE MOTOR, IT LEAKS FUEL OUT OF THE RUBBER HOSE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU IN THE TSB #09-36-03. THEY OFFER TO REPLACE THE RUBBER HOSE AND HARD METAL FUEL LINE FOR MODEL YEARS 2002 AND 2003 IMPREZA WRX'S FREE OF CHARGE. HAVING BEEN AN OWNER OF A 2002 IMPREZA WRX BEFORE PURCHASING MY 2004 IMPREZA WRX, I HAD THIS SERVICE PERFORMED AT MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP. I AM DISGUSTED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS COVERAGE DOES…”
Engine and engine cooling
5 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“STARTED AS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH IDLE WHILE IN PARK (AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS TURNED ON). AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RUNNING IT (DRIVING 48 MI TO WORK AND ERRANDS), I WOULD PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE & AS SOON AS I WOULD REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE (ALREADY HAVING A HIGH IDLE) IT WOULD ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN TO 15-20 MPH. WHEN I WOULD BRAKE AND BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP, IT WOULD "JUMP" SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRAKE. FINALLY I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY. AS I TOOK THE CAR OFF OF CRUISE CONTROL (AT 65 MPH) BY TURNING IT OFF AT THE CC CONTROLS ON THE WHEEL (MY FEET NOT NEAR THE PEDALS) IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT I PARKED THE CAR & CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.