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Check a VIN

2004 Subaru Impreza

96 owner complaints — #10 of 35 Impreza model years. 8 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

96complaints · 7 crashes, 2 fires
8recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
65,000 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Subaru Impreza, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Fuel/propulsion system24
  • Suspension17
  • Air bags14
  • Fuel system, gasoline13
  • Power train9
  • Engine and engine cooling5
  • Vehicle speed control5
  • Visibility4
  • Service brakes, hydraulic3
  • Structure3

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’90’95’98’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’22’2596’90’95’98’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’22’2596

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 16 2004 Impreza vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 16 people died inside them, and 6 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 2004 Subaru Impreza failed the safety check 2.38% of the time — 8% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 135,827 miles.

2,736first inspections
2.38%failed on safety
135,827 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.2%2.4%’93’96’98’00’02’04’06’08’10’12’14’16’18’20’22’24’262.4%0.0%1.2%2.4%’93’97’00’03’04’06’09’12’15’18’21’24’262.4%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Engines

The most common engines in 2004 Subaru Impreza cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (165 kW, 221 hp), 1.6 petrol (70 kW, 94 hp) and 2.0 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp).

EnginePowerCarsShare
2.0 petrol165 kW 221 hp11965%
1.6 petrol70 kW 94 hp3620%
2.0 petrol92 kW 123 hp2715%

RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars

In the Netherlands

226 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 11% arrived later as imports.

63.7%had an APK defect recorded since June 2022
95.3%logical odometer history
8.4%with a recall still open

Most common APK defects

Colours

Blue 34%Grey 33%Black 23%Green 5%Red 4%

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording

In the United Kingdom

1,210 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,262 more were declared off the road (SORN).

1,210licensed, end of 2025
49%of those still registered are on the road

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

In 2023, 1,867 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 73% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.

73%passed first time
56%all cars from 2004
102,700 miaverage mileage at the test (all cars 108,500 mi)
Failed onThese carsAll cars from 2004
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment12.4%21.8%
Suspension10.4%17.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks9.0%7.5%
Brakes5.6%13.8%
Body, chassis, structure5.2%9.1%
Tyres3.6%6.7%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

In Finland

88 of these cars first registered in 2004 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 257,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0

In New Zealand

618 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 52% arrived as used imports, 44% were sold new in New Zealand.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

Fuel consumption

Official Canadian test results for 9 variants: combined 10.7–13.1 L/100 km (about 18–22 mpg US), CO₂ 246–301 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
Impreza AWD · Subcompact · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 4 cyl.A412.09.010.7246
Impreza Wagon AWD · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 4 cyl.A412.09.010.7246
Impreza AWD · Subcompact · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 4 cyl.M512.89.011.1255
Impreza Wagon AWD · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 4 cyl.M512.79.111.1255
Impreza AWD WRX · Subcompact · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M513.39.511.6267
Impreza Wagon AWD WRX · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M513.39.511.6267
Impreza AWD WRX · Subcompact · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.A413.79.812.0276
Impreza Wagon AWD WRX · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.A413.79.812.0276
Impreza AWD WRX STI · Subcompact · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 4 cyl.M615.010.713.1301

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls in Canada

4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 Subaru Impreza.

2020001
2 Jan 2020
Airbag
Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. …
2015234
28 May 2015
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the …
2014285
4 Jul 2014
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause th…
2011344
19 Sept 2011
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front lower control arms could corrode due to exposure to humid environments and road de-icing chemicals. Over time, corrosion could p…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

23V076000 · Air bags13 Feb 2023 · 130 vehicles

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.

20V002000 · Air bags2 Jan 2020 · 127,547 vehicles

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.

20V001000 · Air bags2 Jan 2020 · 258,813 vehicles

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.

20V003000 · Air bags2 Jan 2020 · 111,562 vehicles

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.

15V323000 · Air bags28 May 2015 · 432,016 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

11V464000 · Suspension6 Sept 2011 · 318,215 vehicles

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

04V473000 · Engine and engine cooling1 Oct 2004 · 26 vehicles

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.

04V128000 · Vehicle speed control16 Mar 2004 · 127,580 vehicles

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Subaru told its dealers about the 2004 Subaru Impreza: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
11010925This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs.
11009701This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale.
11009685This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
11008283This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer.
11008282This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
11008281This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
11008280This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries.
11008279This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
11008276The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units.
11008267This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
11008259This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
11006935This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles.
11006934The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
11006932This Service Information Bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when the Data Communication Module (DCM) is being tested as a dark current/standby current source.
11006931This Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16.
11005624This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
11005615This announcement provides information for retailers to install the latest infotainment system software for Denso CP 1.5.
11005614This bulletin announces important diagnostic information to utilize when testing the Data Communication Module (DCM) as a dark current/standby current source. All models equipped with Telematics except Solterra.
11005609This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
11005608This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve.
11005599This Bulletin provides SOA paint codes to help eliminate possible confusion for 2025 MY vehicles.
11005595This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
11005593This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
11002730This information announces reprograming file availability for Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation systems. Inprovement for CarPlay concerns with hands-free calls when the receiving party is not able to hear the caller.
11002725This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

EA15001 · Air bagsopened 24 Feb 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

PE14016 · Air bagsopened 11 Jun 2014 · closed 2 Mar 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

PE11011 · Suspension:front:control armopened 7 Apr 2011 · closed 23 Sept 2011

Front suspension control arm failure

PE09017 · Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor systemopened 10 Mar 2009 · closed 2 Jul 2009

FUEL LINE LEAK

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation