2004 Subaru WRX recalls and problems

The 2004 Subaru WRX has 4 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
42
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Subaru WRX vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Subaru WRX recalls

Recall 23V-076: Air Bags

Reported Feb 13, 2023 · 130 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-001: Air Bags

Reported Jan 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-003: Air Bags

Reported Jan 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-002: Air Bags

Reported Jan 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

2004 Subaru WRX problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Fuel System, Gasoline27
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Air Bags3
Suspension2
Engine and Engine Cooling2
Engine2
Power Train1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Rear — 2
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 69,990 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Subaru WRX complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 60,000 miles · reported Apr 13, 2018
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 103,000 miles · reported Jan 23, 2017
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
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 100,000 miles · reported Jan 12, 2016
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.
Air Bags · reported Oct 1, 2015
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline · at 170,000 miles · reported Jan 8, 2015
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…

Other Subaru WRX years

Compare all Subaru WRX years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Subaru WRX have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Subaru WRX: 23V-076 (air bags), 20V-001 (air bags), 20V-003 (air bags), 20V-002 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Subaru WRX?

Owners report fuel system, gasoline problems most often (27 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (8). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 69,990 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.