Most common 2004 Subaru WRX problems
Share of the 42 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru WRX complaints by model year
Best WRX years: 2010, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009, 2024. Compare all years →
2004 Subaru WRX recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Subaru WRX:
Fuel line leak
Complainants report fuel leakage most frequently in winter during initial cold engine startup.owners will either notice a fuel odor inside the occupant compartment or fuel odor/leakage at the fuel lines on the right side atop the engine.
What 2004 Subaru WRX owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 35 →
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.
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.
Engine & cooling
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.
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.
Air bags
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. …
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Subaru WRX a good car?
Based on 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 WRX rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the WRX at the same age. It is one of the WRX years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Subaru WRX?
The fuel & propulsion system — 35 complaints, 83% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Subaru WRX have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2004 Subaru WRX, the most recent from February 13, 2023 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru WRX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009 and 2024. See the full Subaru WRX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Subaru WRX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.