2004 Subaru Impreza Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 18%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,654miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Subaru Impreza, 18% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,654 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on i190 in worchester ma merging into i290 when the lower control arm broke and the front end collapsed causing loss of control of the vehicle. At the Subaru dealer's the control arm and sub frame were found to be rusted clear through. There was a factory recall issued in 2011, which we were not informed of. The vehicle has been serviced by Subaru only since we purchased it.”
NHTSA complaint #10585733, filed 2014-04, 56,307 miles“Dealer claims to have properly performed a recall repair, but the problem persists I own a 2004 Subaru Impreza. There is a recall on the front suspension for a severe corrosion issue. I brought my car in to haddad Subaru for the recall service in 2011 I was recently informed by my mechanic (not dealer mechanic) that the suspension is dangerously corroded and it does not look like the recall was performed on this car. I had this opinion confirmed a second mechanic. I raised this issue with haddad Subaru. …”
NHTSA complaint #10949831, filed 2017-02, 145,000 miles“Lower control arm failed causing a complete loss of steering due to rust.car was starting out just after traffic light turned green so a very slow speed.this would have been much worse if I was traveling at a faster speed. Car was previously recalled for this same issue and the repair was to inspect and spray rust proofing on lower control arms. This was not an acceptable repair as it failed anyway. I have a 2006 same make and model with the same recall and it was sprayed with rust proofing. I expect it will fail also if something more is not done like replacing them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10903274, filed 2016-09, 127,842 miles“Subaru wrx sti has a severe problem with the struts failing in the 2004 model year. I have had my rear struts replaced a total of 3 times and they are broken again and my car is not even two years old. There are several forums on the internet with thousands of people with the same issue. I don't know if there's is a safety issue but it doesn't seem like it can be safe driving around with broken struts.”
NHTSA complaint #10137090, filed 2005-09, 9,000 miles“2004 Impreza sti - rear clunking noise from right rear suspension. Occasional strut lockup in compressed position. Dealer attempted to fix this problem three times before realizing it was a faulty rear strut. Many other owners of the same car have reported the same problem. I was fortunate as my dealer properly diagnosed and repaired the problem. After the repair, the strut issue went away. Subaru of america should be required to recall this model to check for this strut problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10141697, filed 2005-11, 15,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V464000Sep 6, 2011Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2002–2007, Forester 2003–2008, Saab 9-2X 2005–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
- 10199955Jul 26, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles listed, may have been manufactured with front lower control arms (transverse links) that could corrode in the…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 23% |
| 2004 | 17 | 18% |
| 2003 | 3 | 5% |
| 2002 | 49 | 17% |
| 2001 | 1 | 9% |
| 2000 | 8 | 20% |
| 1999 | 6 | 27% |
| 1998 | 11 | 37% |
| 1997 | 4 | 13% |
| 1996 | 2 | 10% |
| 1995 | 2 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Impreza
37 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 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 29, 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