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Subaru WRXModel year report

2004 Subaru WRX Problems

Complaints
42filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,990miles, 35 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2004 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is fuel system, with 35 complaints (83% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and engine (2). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,990 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 175 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 59 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “After starting my car in cold weather, I noticed a strong smell of gas. I found that there was gas pooling on top of my engine on the passenger side, under the intake manifold. I turned the car off and the gas stopped leaking, but when I turned it on again, I could see it dripping on to the location that it was pooling.”

NHTSA complaint #10561735, filed 2014-01, 125,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall/Subaru recall campaign wqr-53 NHTSA recall no. 15v-323 received a recall notice in may 2015 explaining that the airbag was recalled and would need to be replaced. Letter states that until the repair is preformed, do not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat. I recently received another letter with the same information stating that when Subaru acquires a sufficient supply of parts to perform the repair, they will contact me about making an appointment. I called Subaru 6 months ago and was told that a dealership should lend me a vehicle until the repair is complete. …”

NHTSA complaint #10897983, filed 2016-08

Engine cooling: “When in freezing temperatures, my car is leaking gasoline in the engine compartment. Gasoline fumes are entering the passenger compartment causing nausea,dizziness and coughing (hence I am claiming/considering this as personal injury). I cannot always close the external vent because of fogging. This happens almost every time the temperature drops below freezing. Worse, I am afraid of the engine catching fire. I will take my car to the dealer for repairs. I just want to report this.”

NHTSA complaint #10563930, filed 2014-02, 91,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 100,000 miles.

3%0–106%10–2511%25–5034%50–7520%75–10020%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (35 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 69,990 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20062009132011201420162018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Subaru WRX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 175 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 175 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru WRX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024141500522—Too new
20239—1522—Too new
20222519,800152256 · TypicalRising
202113—1521—Not enough data
2020189,6001521—Stable
20193027,2502—2133 · FewerFalling
20184314,5002—2164 · TypicalStable
20175336,0001—2149 · TypicalFalling
20163125,0003—2151 · TypicalFalling
20155231,2503—2165 · MoreFalling
2014634,00010———Not enough data
2013710,50011———Not enough data
20094171,32710——0 · FewerStable
20086580,0007——0 · FewerStable
20061466,8703———Not enough data
20051948,0004———Stable
20044269,9904——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20036023,8001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200242740,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2004 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Subaru WRX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 35 complaints (83% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2004 Subaru WRX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Subaru WRX reported?

Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,990 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 100,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.