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2004 Subaru Impreza Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Subaru Impreza has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel leak and odor under intake manifold in cold weather.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Subaru Impreza.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel leak and odor under intake manifold in cold weather

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

32 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2022-10

“Rubber fuel lines under the intake manifold leak fuel when the temperature falls below 40 degrees F. The smell permeates the cabin and fuel can be seen wetting nearby surfaces under the intake”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11448310
“UPON COLD STARTING THE CAR THERE IS A PROMINENT RAW FUEL SMELL. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE ARE SUB-FREEZING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10497891
“MY 2004 IMPREZA WRX STI LEAKS GASOLINE OUT OF A FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ABOUT 30 F”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683962

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear strut clunking and sticking

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2010-04

“REAR STRUTS STICK AND WILL NOT REBOUND AFTER A COMPRESSION STROKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10116193
“THE REAR STRUT OF MY 2004 WRX STI CLUNKS ALL THE TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10116133
“REAR STRUTS (AND POSSIBLY FRONT) ARE MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10176263

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal going limp during braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 2004-11 → 2008-12

“2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX - DURING BRAKING, IF A BUMP OR ROUGH PIECE OF ROAD IS ENCOUNTERED, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES LIMP, DROPS TO THE FLOOR, AND BRAKES CEASE TO FUNCTION UNTIL PEDAL IS RELEASED AND BRAKES REAPPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10138180
“WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10100223

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Manual transmission gear grinding and engagement

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2005-11

“I HAVE HAD A FIRST GEAR GRIND EVER SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10088880
“UNABLE OR DIFFICULT TO PLACE CAR IN GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10110609

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lower control arm corrosion and fracture

SUSPENSION

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2025-04

“LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO RUST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903274
“The passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11424929
“I WAS DRIVING ON I190 IN WORCHESTER MA MERGING INTO I290 WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10585733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag inflator recall repair delays

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2024-10

“TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER DATED JULY 2015”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10840316
“SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR-53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323 CALLED THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT REPLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10887970
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11622784

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2006-02

“2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10149728
“2004 WRX SEDAN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10151917
“2004 SUBARU IMPREZA AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147558

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Throttle sticking or unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2011-12

“DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND THE THROTTLE STUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10141326
“WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10248993

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

115 crashes 1990–2024

How the 115 occupant deaths break down

71

driver deaths

44

passenger deaths

115

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Subaru Impreza reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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