2004 Subaru Outback Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 22%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,800miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Subaru Outback, 22% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,800 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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 pulling into my driveway when I stepped on the brakes the car lunged forward and struck a boat on a trailer in my driveway sending it into the side of my home the more I stepped on the brake the faster the engine accelerated I eventually ended up crashing into a tree which finally stopped the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10610527, filed 2014-07, 90,000 miles“When accelerating from a stop car lurches forward. There is no such thing as smooth acceleration with this vehicle. After reading all of the other incidences of this and worse on this model car on this site, I will file a complaint and dump the darn car. This was my first Subaru, purchased used, and I was excited to have purchased it. Now it seems like a curse. I bought it because consumer reports rated it as one of the safest for teen drivers. Canceled my consumer reports subscription. I bought it for my daughter - now I will not let her drive it. No more subarus for me.”
NHTSA complaint #10629248, filed 2014-08, 56,000 miles“The vehicle tends to have poor acceleration performance during first 1 minute of operation causing a sudden surge of power during the first few minutes of operation climbing our 15% grade driveway. Initially the car would not even go up the driveway. The dealer found some of the problem, but it still continues to surge if the car is left setting for a few day. Very difficult to duplicate so the dealer says it is not a problem if we cannot duplicate. Prolbem has occurred starting in about april 2004 and continued thru today. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116577, filed 2005-04, 3,000 miles“On two separate occasions, with two different drivers, my Subaru Outback 2004 vehicle experienced dangerous sudden acceleration. In both cases, we were stopped in traffic for a few minutes, foot on the brake, when suddenly, the car began to surge forward. Even exerting strong pressure on the brake, the car continued to surge forward, the engine racing. On one occasion, we were behind other stopped cars and almost rear-ended the car in front of us. On another, we were stopped at a cross walk and almost lurched forward into pedestrians. …”
NHTSA complaint #10108341, filed 2005-02, 2,500 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 milesRelated recalls
- 04V128000Mar 16, 2004On 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…Covers: Subaru Outback 2001–2004, Legacy 2001–2004, Impreza 2002–2004
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 6% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 29 | 3% |
| 2016 | 22 | 3% |
| 2015 | 26 | 5% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 26 | 9% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 17 | 13% |
| 2006 | 98 | 35% |
| 2005 | 40 | 15% |
| 2004 | 20 | 22% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 10% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Subaru Outback
25 complaintsEngine cooling
13 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 30, 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