Fuel odor and fuel line leaks
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2023-02
“THIS WINTER WE SMELL A VERY BAD GAS ODER INSIDE THE CAR”
“A smell of gas was present in the passenger area”
“THERE IS A FUEL SMELL UNDER THE HOOD”
2004 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 2004 Subaru Legacy has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel odor and fuel line leaks.” 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.
Save this car as:
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 Legacy.
Reported to NHTSA
Takata air bag recall repair parts unavailable
AIR BAGS
23 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2020-08
“TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL DATE OF JUNE 10, 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO INFORMATION OR CONTACT BY SUBARU SINCE THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE”
“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”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
Unintended acceleration and loss of throttle response
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2014-07
“WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL”
“SUDDEN DECELERATION. OCCURRED AT COMPLETE STANDSTILL, 25MPH AND 65MPH, SPEED APPEARS NOT TO BE A FACTOR”
“WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY”
Crankshaft pulley or harmonic balancer separation
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2023-06
“AT 26,469 miles the harmonic balancer separated into two pieces while driving causing sudden loss of power steering”
“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”
Brake failure and anti-lock brake lock-up
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2020-01
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LOCKED UP THE BRAKES/WHEELS AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE”
“AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE STEERING FELT OUT OF CONTROL”
Frontal air bags not deploying in crash
AIR BAGS
2 NHTSA complaints · 2008-12 → 2015-05
“THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
“NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
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.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter
Every 6,000 miReplace 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 miRotate 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 miInspect 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 miReplace 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 miReplace 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 miSubaru 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 miOlder 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 miReplace 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 miReplace 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 miIridium 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 miSubaru 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 miReplace 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)
52 crashes 1990–2024
How the 52 occupant deaths break down
39
driver deaths
13
passenger deaths
52
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 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.
5
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
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 Legacy 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.