Subaru · WRX · 2004
5
Recalls
42
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Subaru WRX has 5 recalls and 42 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: fuel system, gasoline (24 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy Status
AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.
DURING COLD WEATHER FUEL SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE AND IS LEAKING
HAVING RECENTLY MOVED TO A COLD WEATHER STATE, I DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING THERE IS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, SUBARU APPEARS TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IN FACT ISSUED A RECALL ON EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS SHRINK IN COLD WEATHER ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK AT THE FUEL FILTER OR MORE PROBLEMATICALLY ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE TURBO. THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED IN NEWER MODEL VEHICLES, BUT FOR SOME REASON SUBARU DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE 2004-2005 VEHICLES HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE REDUCES OR ELIMINATES THE LEAKS. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS, I SUSPECT THAT NEXT WINTER I WILL BE FACING THE SAME ISSUE AND/OR A $500-1000 REPAIR BILL FROM THE DEALER.
I HAVE A 2004 WRX AND WHENEVER IT GETS COLD LOTS OF FUEL LEAKS FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THERES A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN 2002 2003 BUT IT STILL DOES IT ON MY CAR
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION IN COLDER WEATHER (32 DEG F OR COLDER), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING IN AN AREA CLOSE TO THE AIR INTAKE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING WARMER WEATHER.
WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2015 OF DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WITH WARNING TO NOT USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.UPON FOLLOWUP WITH SUBARU ON 10-1-2015 WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER 12-1-2015. THIS MEANS 5 MONTHS WITHOUT FULL USE OF MY VEHICLE. THEIR LETTER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL 15V-323 INFORMED M TO CONTACT NHTSA AT THIS WEBSITE IF SUBARU FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEICLE WITHOUT CHARGE IN A TIMELY MANNER. 5 TO 6 MONTHS IS NOT A TIMELY MANER.
TAKATA RECALL/SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR-53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAY 2015 EXPLAINING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. LETTER STATES THAT UNTIL THE REPAIR IS PREFORMED, DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER WITH THE SAME INFORMATION STATING THAT WHEN SUBARU ACQUIRES A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR, THEY WILL CONTACT ME ABOUT MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. I CALLED SUBARU 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS TOLD THAT A DEALERSHIP SHOULD "LEND" ME A VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. I LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES WITH DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND NO ONE RETURNED MY PHONE CALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. I USE MY CAR FOR WORK AND I NEED THIS FIXED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED.
STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING VERY COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES. *TR
AFTER STARTING MY CAR IN COLD WEATHER, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS GAS POOLING ON TOP OF MY ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE GAS STOPPED LEAKING, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN, I COULD SEE IT DRIPPING ON TO THE LOCATION THAT IT WAS POOLING. *TR
FUEL LINES LEAK UPON COLD START UP IN THE WINTER. FUEL LEAKS ALL OVER ENGINE BLOCK, MY FEAR THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE. SUBARU'S ANSWER IS TO BRING IT IN, SPEND MONEY TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. ALL THE WHILE THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A COMP CAR AND THIS IS MY ONLY CAR. WITH WORK, SCHOOL AND TRYING TO MOVE AT THAT TIME IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO RELEASE THE CAR TO THEM AND HOPE IT LEAKED ON THAT DAY FOR THE TECH OR RISK HANDING OUT CASH EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX ANY LONGER. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SOME WRX'S AND THEY SAY THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN 2004, OBVIOUSLY NOT. IT APPEARS MY CAR WAS BUILT IN MID 2003...... AND IS POSSIBLE IN MY OPINION THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THESE FAULTY PARTS. *TR
IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. IT SEEMS TO START AT APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AND BECOMES INCREASINGLY STRONG AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. ON A RECENT MORNING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE SMELL WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A LIGHT-HEADED SENSATION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM, WITH THERE ALREADY BEING A RECALL FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES. MANY VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, INCLUDING MY OWN, SEEM TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN WORSE, SOME WHO HAVE HAD THE RECALL FIX PERFORMED HAVE STATED THAT THE FIX PRESCRIBED BY THE RECALL DOES NOT ALWAYS RESOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. *TR
WHEN I START MY CAR WHEN IT IS COLD OUT 20 DEGREES OR BELOW MY GAS LINE NEAR THE FUEL RAIL LEAKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. IT LEAKS A LITTLE UP TO ENOUGH TO POOL ON THE ENGINE..IT WORRIES ME BECAUSE IT IS ON THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE WITH THE EXHAUST WHICH TEMPERATURES CAN REACH UP TO 1500 DEGREES. THE CAR COULD EASILY CATCH FIRE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN SUBARU IMPREZA WRX MODELS 02-05 AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO SUBARUS ATTENTION MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
WHEN IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, MY CAR IS LEAKING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. GASOLINE FUMES ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA,DIZZINESS AND COUGHING (HENCE I AM CLAIMING/CONSIDERING THIS AS PERSONAL INJURY). I CANNOT ALWAYS CLOSE THE EXTERNAL VENT BECAUSE OF FOGGING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. WORSE, I AM AFRAID OF THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I JUST WANT TO REPORT THIS. *TR
AT TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 15F THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM THE INLET MANIFOLD. CAN SEE GASOLINE LEAKING NEAR WHERE THE FUEL LINE ENTERS THE MANIFOLD. LEAK STOPS ONCE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. *TR
WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD OUT, ABOUT 10F THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND IN THE CABIN WHEN THE HVAC TURNED ON. THIS IS A FUEL LINE ISSUE WHICH IS KNOWN TO SUBARU - THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002-2003 WRX MODELS. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON LATER MODELS SUCH AS MY 2004 WRX, WHICH ALSO SUFFER FROM THE PROBLEM. *TR
STARTED VEHICLE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IN SUB-30 DEGREE WEATHER AND A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL WAS EVIDENT IN VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON MANY MORE OCCASIONS; IN ANY SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TIME TO SIT IN COLD WEATHER. AFTER THE CLAMPS WERE TIGHTENED ON THE LINES, THE SMELL WAS DECREASED; BUT AFTER FEAR OF A FIRE THE LINES AND CLAMPS WERE THEN REPLACED BY MYSELF. AS SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT EXTEND THE RECALL TO MY 2004 VEHICLES AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY RETAIL FOR THE REPAIR. THIS WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING, AS THIS IS MY FIRST SUBARU AND IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE DESIGN WAS FAULTY. AFTER REPLACING THE LINES AND CLAMPS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. HOWEVER, I CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REQUIRED REPAIR IN THE FUTURE. *TR
DURING COLD WEATHER (~36 F), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE COMING FORM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (PASSENGER SIDE). THE SMELL DISAPPEARS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 WRX AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT OUTSIDE DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AT STARTUP, THERE IS A PROMINENT FUEL SMELL. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR IF I LEAVE THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (3+ HOURS) AT 20 DEGREE F OR BELOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT REPORTED ON THE NASIOC FORUMS. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT FOR THE 2002-2003 WRX'S. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATE WITH RAW FUEL BEING DISPERSED ON THE ENGINE UPON STARTUP.
FUEL LINES ON TOP OF THE ENGINE LEAK DURING COLD WEATHER, BELOW 10 DEGREES F. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE WHEN THE VENTS ARE ON. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP, 10-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR
ON COLD MORNINGS LESS THAN 10 DEGREES A STRONG FUEL SMELL ENTERS THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL ON 2002 AND 2003 MODEL CARS YET 2004 MODELS ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A WIDE RANGING PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS MANY CARS ALL THE UP TO THE 2007 MODEL YEAR OF THE SUBARU IMPREZA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED SINCE 2002 ON THE LARGEST SUBARU IMPREZA WEB FORUM. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755. IT'S ABOUT TIME SUBARU FIXES THIS PROBLEM. *TR
STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER CAUSES INTERIOR CABIN TO FILL WITH GAS FUMES. APPARENT FUEL LEAK IN COLD TEMPERATURES. LEAK RESOLVES AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Subaru WRX has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 42 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Subaru WRX.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Subaru WRX.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Subaru WRX are fuel system, gasoline (24 reports), fuel/propulsion system (7 reports), air bags (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2004 Subaru WRX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.