Subaru · Outback · 2004
11
Recalls
90
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Subaru Outback has 11 recalls and 90 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (23 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 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 (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 (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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
Remedy Status
Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
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.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
CERTAIN PASSENGER OR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE OR OUT OF POSITION FUEL FILLER HOSE CLAMP.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP ON THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16. Note: This recall covers vehicles that were not previously covered in 16V-358 for Zone A or 16V-359 for Zone B.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
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.
Remedy Status
Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
AUTOZONE SOLD ME (VIA WARRANTY EXCHANGE) AFTERMARKET BRAKE PADS THAT SUPPOSEDLY WERE THE SAME PART #D929 AS THE BRAKE PADS AUTOZONE HAD PREVIOUSLY SOLD ME AND WAS REPLACING UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS THAT THEY PROVIDED TO ME TODAY AS WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS WERE TOO LARGE FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER AND WOULD BE UNSAFE IF INSTALLED AND FORCED TO FIT IN THE CALIPER. SPECIFICALLY, THE INNER SHOULDER DIMENSION ON THESE PADS IS TOO LARGE TO FIT PROPERLY IN THE CALIPER. I VERIFIED THE PROBLEM BY PURCHASING BRAKE PADS FROM A DIFFERENT AUTO SUPPLY STORE AND INSTALLING THEM WITH NO DIFFICULTY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED DURING BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT.
PURCHASED THIS CAR LISTED IN IAA WEBSITE AS HAVING $68,000.00 MILES, THIS WEEK MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD $220,000.00 MILES. I JUST CHECKED CARFAX UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS A ODOMETER ROLLBACK.
EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY FRONT END RUST AS PER BODY SHOP BUMPER REPLACEMENT.
TAKATA RECALL. NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. ON WAITLISTS AT 2 LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS.
THE CAR WILL BE OPERATING PROPERLY AT SPEED ON LOCAL ROADS (30MPH OR SO) WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE WILL GO TO A FAST IDLE AND THE GAS PEDDLE LOSES ALL EFFECTIVENESS. STOPPING THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM THE THREE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SWITCH BUT THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF IT WERE TO OCCUR PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR BEING IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD
2004 SUBURBAN OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR
TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU MONTHS AGO AND HAVE THEY HAVE STILL NOT CONTACTED ME TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. SINCE I WAS ADVISED NOT TO ALLOW A PASSENGER IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO USE MY VEHICLE.
TAKATA RECALL: REMEDY NOT TO DRIVE CAR WITH PASSENGERS UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IS ONE THAT HAS ME WONDERING IF I NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF THE CAR AND GET ANOTHER THAT I CAN USE. CAN WE BE PROVIDED AT LEAST WITH SOME SORT OF ESTIMATION OF 'WHEN' PARTS ARE FORECASTED TO BE AVAILABLE?
NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG PASSENGER FRONT RECALL.
"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED, "DO NOT LET PASSENGERS USE THE SEAT", NO DATE FOR REPLACEMENT, NO PARTS IN STOCK, DOES THIS ABSOLVE THE COMPANY OF ANY LIABILITY? CANT TAKE ANY TRIPS WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS THAT WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE REAR SEATS? WHAT OPTIONS ARE LEFT FOR ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TAKING MY FAMILY ANYWHERE???
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO 70 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH INTO A TREE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
V
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS
SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON PASSENGER AIRBAGS (NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V-359). THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THERE IS NO SCHEDULE OF WHEN THEY MAY BE, AND THE VEHICLE OWNER IS INSTRUCTED TO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE, UNSAFE SOLUTION. IN ADDITION, THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION LISTED DOES NOT WORK. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY MY VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN JULY OF 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY IN THE FORM OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED I SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE RECALL WORK IS COMPLETE. THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE SOLUTION FOR A PROBLEM WITH A PASSENGER VEHICLE AS IT PREVENTS MY USE OF THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED AND AS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE REQUIRED TO COMMIT TO COMPLETING THE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER, SUCH AS 60 TO 90 DAYS.
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU OR THE DEALER THAT THE PART HAS BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE CALLED BOTH SUBARU AND THE DEALER. I HAVE WAITED THREE MONTHS, THAT IS TOO LONG .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN JULY 2016..I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE INFORMED BY MAIL WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. IT'S 14 MONTHS LATER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND STILL CANNOT HAVE PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT.
TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016, AND AM STILL WAITING! IT IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT NOT TO BE ABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Subaru Outback has 11 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 90 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Subaru Outback.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Subaru Outback.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Subaru Outback are air bags (23 reports), vehicle speed control (13 reports), engine and engine cooling (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 11 recalls on record for the 2004 Subaru Outback. 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.