2004 Subaru Impreza

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  IN COLD WEATHER <30 DEGREES F, GASOLINE LEAKS FROM THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM WHERE THE RUBBER FUEL LINE IS CONNECTED TO THE METAL FUEL LINE ON UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. LOOKS TO BE A LOOSE HOSE CLAMP. THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THIS LINE TO FACILITATE TIGHTENING.

• 12/27/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DURING THE PAST 8+ WINTERS, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. I'VE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT ONLY THE TWO PREVIOUS MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MY RESARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS WITH MANY SUBARU MODELS. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE THE AIR VENTS TO KEEP THE SMELL OUT IN PREVIOUS YEARS. TODAY, WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF MY HOOD WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE SINGLE NEGATIVE DIGITS.I BELIEVE THERE IS NOW ENOUGH FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO THE MANIFOLD THAT IT IS STARTING THE SMOKE.

• 12/22/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW SAFE STOPPING ON SNOW/SLEET/ICE. ABS SYSTEM WILL OCCASIONALLY KICK IN WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS/POTHOLES WHILE STOPPING AND CAUSE THE PEDAL TO GO LIMP REQUIRING YOU TO RELEASE BRAKING PRESSURE AND REENGAGE THE BRAKE TO STOP. I'M READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS IS TO KEEP AN EXCESSIVELY LONG DISTANCE BEHIND CARS DURING SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS AND PRAY NO ONE CUTS IN FRONTS OF YOU WHILE BREAKING OR YOU WILL HIT THEM. *TR

• 12/21/2011· STEERING

  REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NO. 11V-464, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION, I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REQUIRED APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY VEHICLES TO BE INSPECTED AT THIS TIME FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO MADE, AND THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE A TELEPHONE CALL AT AN UNSPECIFIED TIME IN THE FUTURE WHICH WOULD THEN PERMIT US TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. SINCE THE DEFECT, IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS OF THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE. WHAT IS THE POINT OF ISSUING RECALL NOTICES AND A PROCEDURE IN WHICH VEHICLES ARE TO BE INSPECTED WHEN THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE? *TR

• 12/20/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  A TERRIBLE RAW FUEL SMELL IS PRESENT IN THE CABIN AT STARTUP IN COLD WEATHER. FUEL SEEMS TO BE LEAKING AND POOLING SOMEWHERE. THIS IS NOT THE SAME LEAK AS THE TSB FOR 2002 MODELS.*AK

• 12/15/2006· SUSPENSION

  REAR STRUTS (AND POSSIBLY FRONT) ARE MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE NOISE IS QUITE APPARENT AND WOULD NOT BE ITEMS INSIDE THE TRUNK AND/ OR CAR. *JB

• 12/07/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DURING COLD WEATHER MY 2004 SUBARU WRX SMELLS OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. USING THE HEAT CAUSES THE ODOR TO INCREASE AND TURNING OFF THE HEAT TO DISSIPATE THE ODOR CAUSES ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP AND/OR ICE-OVER. THE FUMES HAVE CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER AND HAVE ALSO GIVEN ME HEADACHES. *JB

• 12/06/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TODAY'S DATE IS DECEMBER 06, 2008. I STARTED TO SMELL A FOUL GAS SMELL INSIDE MY CABIN A FEW DAYS AGO. THE SMELL HAS OCCURRED SINCE THEN. WHAT SEEMS TO TRIGGER THE SMELL OF GAS IS THE COLD START UPS IN TEMPERATURE DEGREES OF LOW 20'S AND BELOW. THE SMELL IS EXTREME. IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE SITTING DRIVING ALMOST UNBEARABLE, MY PASSENGERS, ALONG WITH ME GET HEADACHES. I AM FORCED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN FREEZING WEATHER TO ALLOW THE GAS SMELL TO EXIT. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER OPENING WINDOWS AND/OR 10 OR MORE MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION. I HAVE ONLY SEARCHED FOR HELP FROM THE NASIOC ONLINE COMMUNITY. IT IS A COMMUNITY OF THOUSANDS OF SUBARU OWNERS WHO AS WELL HAVE REPORTED HUNDRED OF CASES OF THE SAME GAS SMELL. *TR

• 12/02/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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

• 11/24/2005· POWER TRAIN

  ON JULY 4, 2005, I GOT A GRINDING SOUND WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A LIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME MISSING THE SHIFT. SEVERAL DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I STARTED TO DELAY MY SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS SAME SCENARIO STARTED REPEATING ITSELF SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THEN THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED WHILE TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT THE SYNCHRONIZERS WERE BAD IN 2ND AND 4TH GEARS. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER CALLED AND TOLD ME THE SYNCHRONIZERS WERE BAD, AS WELL AS THE 2ND AND 4TH GEAR SETS, AND THE COST WOULD BE $2,900.00 TO REPAIR IT. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "DRIVER ABUSE", AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. TWO DAYS LATER, SUBARU SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH NO CHARGE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, BUT NOT AS AN ITEM COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY DID THE REPAIR. I HAVE FOUND THAT MY SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE IN THE 2002 THRU 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND STI . SUBARU DEALERS ARE DENYING WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR THESE TWO SUBARU MODELS, CLAIMING "DRIVER ABUSE". THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. MY THEORY IS THAT WHEN TURNING THE CARS AND SHIFTING, THERE IS TWISTING IN THE DRIVETRAIN THAT IS BRINGING THE SYNCHRONIZERS IN CONTACT WITH THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSING THE INITIAL DAMAGE. THE SENSOR'S WILL THEN NOT ALIGN THE GEARS PROPERLY AND THEN THE GRINDING STARTS. THE MORE THE CAR IS DRIVEN, THE MORE THE SENSOR'S ARE DAMAGED, AND, THUS, THE MORE THE GEARS GRIND. THE POINT IS THAT ALL SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DAMAGED SENSORS, DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. SUBARU NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS PUT REDESIGNED, STRONGER SYNCHRONIZERS IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS OF THEIR 2006 WRX AND WRX STI MODELS. *JB

• 11/21/2013· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP IN COLD WEATHER. THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FILLS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. WE JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JULY. *TR

• 11/19/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  DRIVING SOUTH ON SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. UPON NOTICING THE RED LIGHT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AT ALL. I HAD TO REDIRECT THE COURSE OF THE CAR TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS AT A RED LIGHT. AS I TURNED TO THE RIGHT I CAME UPON A CURB AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR TIRE HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO BIRD ROAD SUBARU IN MIAMI. I HAVE BEEN FEELING FLUTTERING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EPISODE. *AK

• 11/17/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WAS BENDING TO THE POINT OF DETACHMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,300.

• 11/17/2008· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHEN THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES BEHIND HIS HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 12-15-08 *BF UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB

• 11/06/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY 2004 SUBARU WRX STI HAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN MODERATELY COOL TEMPERATURES. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN ODI RESUME PE 04-002. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND STOPS QUICKLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT OCCURS IN MODERATE TEMPS. BELOW 50F AND LASTS FOR 20 TO THIRTY MINUTES. I TAKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING AND COULD RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE LEAKING FUEL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN SEVERAL MODELS OF SUBARU ACCORDING TO MY INTERNET RESEARCH. THE MANUFACTURER HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #09-36-03 THAT DESCRIBES HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE COST WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL. *TR

• 11/03/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2004 IMPREZA STI - REPEATED MOMENTARY FUEL CUT OUT DURING LEFT TURNS. NEVER DURING RIGHT TURNS; LEFT TURNS ONLY. LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEED. AT ALL FUEL LEVELS. WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY, THEN GO AWAY FOR 3 WEEKS BEFORE OCCURING AGAIN. OCCURS FREQUENTLY DURING LEFT TURNS AND U-TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS. CAR HESITATES FOR A MOMENT AS IF FUEL TO ENGINE WAS MOMENTARILY CUT. ENGINE DOES NOT STALL HOWEVER AND COMES BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE MOMENTARY HESITATION. HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH BOTH MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALER AND CORPORATE SUBARU OF AMERICA SERVICE REP. NEITHER WERE ABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM AND SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. CONTINUED FUEL CUT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING CAR TO HESITATE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. MY CAR HAS NO MODIFICATIONS AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF IDENTICAL CAR ALSO REPORTING EXACT SAME ISSUES. I WILL HAVE THEM JOIN ME IN THIS COMPLAINT PROCESS TO NHTSA.

• 11/03/2005· SUSPENSION

  2004 IMPREZA STI - REAR CLUNKING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION. OCCASIONAL STRUT LOCKUP IN COMPRESSED POSITION. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES BEFORE REALIZING IT WAS A FAULTY REAR STRUT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE AS MY DEALER PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE STRUT ISSUE WENT AWAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS MODEL TO CHECK FOR THIS STRUT PROBLEM. NOT ONLY DOES THE STRUT MAKE NOISE WHEN COMPRESSING, BUT IT SOMETIMES LOCKS IN THE COMPRESSED POSTION, CHANGING THE HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE DYNAMICS OF THE CAR IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY LIFETHREATENING WAY. BY REPLACING THE STRUT, THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF INSTANCES OF THE SAME STRUT FAILURE ON THESE CARS, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE NUMBER OF SAME COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA HERE AT THIS WEBSITE, ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME SUBARU OF AMERICAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

• 10/31/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND THE THROTTLE STUCK. HE USED THE FOOT PEDAL BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID SLOW IT DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE RPMS REGISTERED UP TO 8000. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER IT SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT MADE THE THROTTLE STICK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

• 10/30/2024· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 10/21/2022· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

• 10/19/2004· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  MOVING AT CONSTANT 45 MPH BEHIND A MINIVAN DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON SMALL ROCK STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD (UPPER CORNER/PASSENGER SIDE) WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE AND RESULTED IN AN 8 INCH CRACK.*AK

• 10/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 10/17/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL ON THE 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. I HAVE CONTACTED THE AUTHORIZED SUBARU RECALL VENDOR, WALSAR SUBARU. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN A KIT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

• 10/05/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  IT RECENTLY BEEN COLD IN COLORADO AND NOW I HAVE THIS RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. FUEL LINE LEAKING COMING FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN TWO DIRECT FEED LINE TO THE INJECTOR.

• 09/29/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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. RE-APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES RESUME FULL FUNCTIONALITY. *JB

• 09/28/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING OUR 2004 SUBARU WRX IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER. THE FUEL FUMES FILL THE CABIN AND CREATE A FIRE HAZARD UNDER THE HOOD.

• 09/20/2005· SUSPENSION

  SUBARU WRX STI HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUTS FAILING IN THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE HAD MY REAR STRUTS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES AND THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN AND MY CAR IS NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT CAN BE SAFE DRIVING AROUND WITH BROKEN STRUTS. *JB

• 09/02/2016· SUSPENSION

  LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO RUST.CAR WAS STARTING OUT JUST AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO A VERY SLOW SPEED.THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS TRAVELING AT A FASTER SPEED. CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE REPAIR WAS TO INSPECT AND SPRAY RUST PROOFING ON LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THIS WAS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE REPAIR AS IT FAILED ANYWAY. I HAVE A 2006 SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME RECALL AND IT WAS SPRAYED WITH RUST PROOFING. I EXPECT IT WILL FAIL ALSO IF SOMETHING MORE IS NOT DONE LIKE REPLACING THEM. SO FAR DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM.

• 09/02/2014· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY CAR IS BEING RECALLED UNDER SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQL-48 (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 14V-399), FOR A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG INFLATORS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS TO TRY AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO BRING MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS IN STOCK. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE RECEIVING ANOTHER LETTER ONCE THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE MANUFACTURER HAS A CERTAIN TIME WINDOW TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER ONCE THE RECALL IS ANNOUNCED; HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT IN THIS CASE, THE NOTIFICATION IS USELESS, SINCE I'M UNABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. *TR

• 08/31/2004· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE HAD A FIRST GEAR GRIND EVER SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE DEALER CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FIRST TECHNICIAN EVEN SAID IT WAS INTERNAL. FINALLY GOT THE FLUID CHANGED TO CORRECT THS ISSUE AT 14K MILES, HELPED BUT DID NOT FIX. AT 26000 MILES I TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY ALSO CONFIRM THERE IS A PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAY THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET EXHAUST. I EXPLAINED IT IS A PREXISTING CONDITION AND THE EXHAUST WOULD HAVE NO AFFECT ON THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO. DEALERSHIP STONEWALLS ME ON THIS ISSUE BUT PROMISES TO STILL FIX THE SEAT (SINCE IT HAS NNOT BEEN MODIFIED) I ASKED FOR THE TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF WHY THE TRANNY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REFUSED TO ISSUE EITHER VERBALLY OR IN WRITING.*AK

• 08/26/2004· VISIBILITY

  2004 WRX SUN ROOF HAS A SMELL LIKE MILDEW. 3 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE (DETAIL, SUNROOF DOOR REPLACEMENT, HEADLINER REPLACEMENT) AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE MONTHS LATER. SUBARU HAS TOLD ME THAT IS THE NORMAL SMELL, EVEN AFTER $1500 IN COVERED REPAIRS. IT IS FAR FROM A NEW CAR SMELL, MORE LIKE MILDEW.*AK

• 08/18/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  UNDER COLD CONDITIONS (40F OR LESS) THE RUBBER FUEL RAILS WILL CONTRACT UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WILL SLOWLY LEAK GASOLINE CAUSING AN OVERWHELMING SMELL AND POSSIBILITY FOR A FIRE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND UNDER MOTION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE YEAR 2009 FOR THE 2002-2003 YEAR MODELS FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND A RECALL WAS ENACTED. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2004-2005 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME FUEL RAILS WERE USED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE FOR THE 3 WINTERS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR THAT THEY ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PICTURES I INCLUDED SHOW THE SCREW THAT CLAMPS THE RUBBER HOSES. THE GAS LEAKS AT THIS CONNECTING POINT BUT IT WAS HARD TO GET A PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL HOSES. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO BRING THIS UP WITH NHTSA. THANK YOU!

• 08/12/2004· POWER TRAIN

  FAILED TRANSMISSION FOR MANUAL DRIVE 2004 SUBARU WRX MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM

• 08/07/2019· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I ARRIVED AT A GAS STATION WHERE I FILLED UP MY SUBARU IMPREZA RS 2.5L WITH 87 UNLEADED MID GRADE FUEL AND FROM THAT POINT ON STILL TILL TODAY MY VEHICLE HAS HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON AND I'M GOING 55 MPH OR HIGHER GASOLINE CAN BE SMELLED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHEN REFUELING THE GAS PUMP CONTINOUSLY STOPS AS IF THE FUEL CHAMBER IS FULL. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN OVER OR STAGGERS WEAKLY TO START.

• 08/01/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrashFire

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN ROAD IN BOSTON WHEN MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AS A RESULT I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A SNOW BANK. WHEN I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. WHEN THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AFTERMARKET PARTS THAT ARE NOT D.O.T. LEGAL AND NO C.A.R.B. ID'S. ALL OF THESE MODIFICATIONS WERE INSTALLED PRIOR OF ME BUYING THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A WARRENTY. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A SMELL OF GAS AND A HUGE LOSS OF OIL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED BUT WAS TOLD THAT IS HOW A SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI RUNS. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP GOT A EMMISIONS STICKER FOR THIS CAR WHEN IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS WITH ALL OF THE AFTERARKET PARTS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVENT. *TR

• 07/28/2022· SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS

  The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V323000 (Air Bags) and 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The dealer informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) could not be completed due to excessive corrosion. The approximate failure mileage was 191,000. Parts distributions disconnect.

• 07/28/2004· STRUCTURE

  THERE WAS DEEP COWLING OVER THE INSTRUMENTATION AREA. *MR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS SHADED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE DISPLAY. *SC *JB

• 07/23/2016· AIR BAGS

  SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR-53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323 CALLED THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT REPLACE. NO CALLED BACK WHAT OR WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE.

• 07/20/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON 7 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2004. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (VALLEY DODGE, INC.) THAT IT WAS A FALSE CODE (#P0301) FOR A 1ST CYLINDER MISS FIRE. ON THE THIRD TIME THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE ECM AND SENT TO THE SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. FACTORY TO REPROGRAM. THE FOURTH TIME THE DEALERSHIP, PER SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. FACTORY, ADJUSTED THE #1 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE. THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TIME, THE DEALERSHIP PER SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. REPLACED THE INJECTION AND STILL HAVE THE CAR TO BETA TEST ON A 100-MILE 'TEST DRIVE' AS I WAS TOLD TO COMPARE THE READ-OUTS FROM THE ECM DURING THIS 'TEST-DRIVE.' I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR 20 DAYS NON-CONSECUTIVE IN THE 6 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *LA

• 07/15/2021· SUSPENSION

  The passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion. There was a previous recall to address this issue with an anti corrosion coating, but it did not prevent the control arm from corroding and failing. I had this addressed at the dealer, and they mentioned the issue was addressed. Recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000

• 07/09/2013· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THERE WAS OBSERVED RUST ON A SMALL SECTION OF THE REAR QUARTER UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. WORK WAS BEGUN ON JULY, 4 2013 TO TREAT WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE SURFACE RUST WITH POR-15 RUST INHIBITOR. WHEN THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT AND WORK BEGAN, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THIS SMALL SECTION ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS INADEQUACY PROTECTED BY FACTORY UNDERCOATING. THIS SECTION WAS WHERE SUPPORT ARMS FOR BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEELS ATTACH TO THE CHASSIS. THIS SECTION IS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE AND CRACKING. THE CHASSIS ATTACHMENT POINT FRONT BRACES FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS FULLY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS AREA OF THE CHASSIS SHOWS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE, OR ABUSE WHICH WOULD LEAD TO RUSTING. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS EITHER RUST FREE, OR SHOWS LIMITED SURFACE RUST. THE BODY PANELS OF THE CAR ARE RUST FREE. IN SHORT, LACK OF PROPER RUST TREATMENT OF KEY STRUCTURAL AREAS OF THE CAR, HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH HAS RENDERED THE CAR UNSAFE IN MY (THE OWNER'S) OPINION, AS WELL AS THE OPINION OF THE MECHANIC ASSISTING IN THE INSPECTION. I WELCOME ANY INSPECTIONS BY SUBARU OF AMERICA OR THE NHTSA. *TR

• 06/25/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WAS AT THE LOCAL TRACK ON RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG NIGHT. LINED UP AGAINST AN SRT-4. LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I ACCELERATED TRYING TO GET A HOLESHOT. I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH GIVING UP. THE SRT-4 WAS WAY AHEAD OF ME. I SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CATCH UP. THAT SRT-4 WAS FAST. THE LACK OF POWER IN MY STI REALLY DISHONORED MY FAMILY. IT FORCED ME TO BE HUMILIATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NORMAL AND TO EXPECT TO BE OUTMATCHED BY CARS LIKE THE DODGE SRT-4. THEY NEVER DID TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH NOISE.*AK

• 06/24/2014· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING ALONG A SMOOTH, STRAIGHT STRETCH OF US-12 THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AT THE HANGER BRACKET. SEE HTTP://I62.TINYPIC.COM/2AJQ7EX.JPG. CONTROL ARM HAD BEEN "RUSTPROOFED" AS PART OF THE 2011 RECALL. AT ONE POINT ALONG THE BREAK THE METAL MEASURES LESS THAN 4 HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH (0.0355") - SEE HTTP://I62.TINYPIC.COM/2Q3QA1T.JPG. THE SWAY BAR LINK ALSO BROKE. *TR

• 06/23/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE SPEDOMETER READING IS NEARLY 10% HIGH ON MY CAR AND THAT OF MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE CONTACTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 06/19/2014· STRUCTURE

  DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM BECAME DETACHED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. DOOR PARTIALLY OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE THE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT INITIATION, IT COULD NO LONG BE CLOSED. UPON INSPECTING THE LATCH MECHANISM ATTACHMENT TO THE DOOR FRAME, TWO OF THE THREE CONNECTION BOLTS (PHILLIPS HEAD) WERE COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE THIRD REMAINING BOLT WAS HANGING BY A SINGLE THREAD. THIS WAS AN OEM FACTORY ATTACHMENT THAT HAD NEVER BEEN MODIFIED OR REMOVED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED. *TR

• 06/19/2004· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS

  I BOUGHT A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI IN JULY 2003 FROM BOB BAKER SUBARU IN EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA AND EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE NEXT. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL SERVICING IS COMPLETED AT THE LANCASTER MAZDA-SUBARU LOCATION WHERE I LIVE. SEVERAL COSMETIC PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SUCH AS: THE TRUNK LATCH DID NOT FUNCTION, THE BACK SEAT WAS UNHOOKED, THE SEAT LEVER THAT MOVES THE SEAT IN HALF, THE CUP HOLDER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE HEAD LIGHTS FOGGED UP. MECHANICAL FAILURE HAS ALSO OCCURRED. IT HAS HAD AN ODD NOISE IN THE ENGINE SINCE THE BEGINNING WHICH SUBARU CLAIMS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS A "RACECAR". THE STARTER SOMETIMES GRINDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, SUBARU COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. THE LEFT REAR CHASSIS MAKES AN ODD NOISE WHEN ROLLING THAT SUBARU COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A LOUD METAL AGAINST METAL SCREECH. AS OF 6/18/2004 THE ENGINE HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. WHEN THE RPMS REACH BETWEEN 4000-5000 THE CAR CUTS OUT PRIOR TO ACCELERATING AND A BURNING SMELL IS DETECTED. I SPOKE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WHEN THIS CAR IS DRIVEN A LITTLE BIT HARDER THAN NORMAL THEY ARE NOTICING THAT SEVERAL OF THE IMPREZA WRX STI'S ARE BEING BROUGHT BACK IN WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THEY HAVE NOTED SEVERAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS TURBO BOG, OVERHEATING, POOR PERFORMANCE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BURNING UP. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DISTINCT PROBLEM WITH THIS OVER $30,000 AND I THINK A COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED AGAINST SUBARU. WHEN IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT BREAKS, AS IT WILL, IT WILL JUST SIT IN A GARAGE BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A CAR THAT IS MANUFACTURED POORLY. SUBARU HAS ADVISED THAT THIS CAR IS A RACE CAR AND IT IS FAR FROM THAT. THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THIS CAR SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED A POORLY MADE VEHICLE.*AK

• 06/17/2009· POWER TRAINFire

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE (RIGHT REAR). I CHANGED THE TIRE, USING THE "DONUT" IN THE CAR. I DROVE ANOTHER 25 MILES NO FASTER THAN 40 MPH, AND US. SLOWER. THEN A DRIVER BEHIND ME FLASHED HER LIGHTS SIGNALING ME TO STOP. I STOPPED AND LEARNED MY CAR WAS BURNING UNDERNEATH, NEAR THE BACK. WHEN I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT, I FOUND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BADLY DAMAGED. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, PERSONS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AWD WHEN DRIVING ON THE "DONUT." OTHERWISE, DAMAGE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL IS LIKELY. HOWEVER, NO SUCH SWITCH EXISTS FOR CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH I HAVE. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS, NOT GOING MORE THAN 50 MPH OR MORE THAN 50 MILES ON THE DONUT. BUT I DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ANYWAY, AND THE FIRE (WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL SETTING THE UNDERCOATING ON FIRE) COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. *TR

• 06/12/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2004 IMPREZA ENGINE FAILED CAUSED BY A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. *TS *JB

• 06/02/2008· VISIBILITY

  THE WINDSHIELD OF MY SUBARU IMPREZA TS CRACKED THE WHOLE LENGTH. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CRACKED. IT WAS COLD OUT AND I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BEFORE. AFTER THE CRACK I LOOKED CLOSER AND NOTICED A LOT OF BUBBLES IN THE GLASS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT A LOT OF SUBARUS AROUND THE SAME YEAR HAVE BEEN CRACKED. I HAVE ASKED A COUPLE OF THE OWNERS AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM. THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. *TR

• 05/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A CRASH, BUT I AM WORRIED IT MAY DEPLOY OR FAIL TO DEPLOY.