2004 Subaru Outback Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 14%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Subaru Outback, 14% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“During early december 2010 my wife was driving the car and heard a huge rattling noise. She pulled over and we got the car towed to the dealership. We were told that the valve on the engine cylinder got damaged and as a result the valve stem has fallen into the cylinder. As the piston was moving, it got damaged. So we needed to replace two pistons. Which we did. This is a design problem as differential material expansion has caused the stem to fall and damage the piston. If this has happened on a busy highway could have been fatal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10386223, filed 2011-03, 65,000 miles“My Subaru, forester xt has had numerous problems since it had 5000 miles. The engine performance is inconsistent. The car has an intermittent miss at idle, cruise control that disengages at will, is difficult to start intermittently; spitting and sputter for 30 seconds, acts as if it will stall occasionally while braking, and the clutch does not grip the flywheel properly. While passing on 2 lane roads, I have nearly had numerous head-on accidents; the car does not accelerate consistently. The cruise control defect has nearly caused many other accidents in distinct conditions: 1. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088909, filed 2004-08, 5,000 miles“I want to express my concerns for Subaru quality and reliability. As a family we have owned several Subaru Outback vehicles. Unfortunately, our 2002 had bad pistons that had to be replaced after only 11,000 miles of ownership. The vehicle still did not run correctly after the engine overhaul so we sold it and regrettably purchased yet another new 2004 Subaru Outback wagon, which is now at our local dealer having pistons replaced in the engine. This is the second time a 4 cylinder Outback in our family has let us down. I now know what kind of quality they build into their vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100055, filed 2004-11, 8,500 miles“Diagnostic code p0420 (catalyst sys). Vehicle would not pass emissions test due to code. 85000 miles on vehicle. Was told there was a computer upgrade for this complaint put out by Subaru. Dealer performed upgrade then informed me headgasket was leaking. Dealer replaced head gasket goodwill . Dat after repair code 0420 came back and now need converters replaced to the tune of $1800.00 to $2200.00 due to contaminated converters. Fuel, oil leaking into exhaust from failed head gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #10321730, filed 2010-03, 85,035 miles“On two separate occasions the vehicle commences to surge and lurch forward while applying the brakes. Consumer was able to control the vehicle without any incidents. The vehicle has been to the dealer once and they were unable to duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10118990, filed 2005-05, 11,200 milesRelated 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.
- 10020697Nov 8, 2006Throttle position sensor. Vehicles equiped with h-6 3.0l engines.
- 10020126May 24, 2006Ecm reprogramming service program.
- 10016869Sep 9, 20052.5l remanufactured sohc short block release.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 23 | 6% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 13 | 14% |
| 2003 | 14 | 15% |
| 2002 | 17 | 12% |
| 2001 | 22 | 13% |
| 2000 | 35 | 17% |
| 1999 | 23 | 21% |
| 1998 | 40 | 32% |
| 1997 | 24 | 30% |
| 1996 | 10 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Outback
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Subaru Outback
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