2004 Subaru Impreza Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,095miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Subaru Impreza, 5% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,095 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10236612, filed 2008-08, 28,500 miles“Upon starting the car during the colder winter months, a raw fuel smell will begin to fill the cabin if the HVAC system is turned on to vent fresh air. This smell is strong enough to cause lightheadedness and the sensation of nausea. Upon further investigation, the passenger side fuel line is leaking fuel underneath the intake manifold, to the extent that you can visibly see a puddle of fuel boiling on top of the engine block. This happens because there are two hard metal fuel lines running to the fuel injectors connected by a small piece of rubber hose with clamps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490702, filed 2013-01, 105,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438058, filed 2011-12“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082304, filed 2004-07Related recalls
- 04V473000Oct 1, 2004On 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…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2004, Baja 2004, Forester 2004
Related service bulletins
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10179416Aug 26, 2020This service information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models listed.
- 10233107Jan 25, 2016Launch of Remanufactured Turbochargers
- 10019343Feb 1, 2006Rubbing mark on timing belt. Subaru.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 7 | 7% |
| 2008 | 14 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 5% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 7% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 23% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 10% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Impreza
37 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology