CarRecallWatchThe 2004 Subaru Legacy has 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, including 5 crashes, 3 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (26 reports).
2004 Subaru Legacy recalls
Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Some vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture in a Crash
Certain vehicles have a passenger-side frontal air bag inflator that can rupture after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
Passenger airbag may rupture and spray metal fragments
Certain 2003-2004 Subaru Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles that were sold in or have been registered in a set of northern and high-humidity-exposed states (Zone C) may have a passenger frontal airbag inflator that can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture and Injure Occupants
The passenger-side frontal air bag inflator in affected vehicles may be susceptible to moisture intrusion.
Most common 2004 Subaru Legacy problems
Problem areas named in the 49 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
What owners report
AT 26,469 miles the harmonic balancer separated into two pieces while driving causing sudden loss of power steering. I contacted Subaru for assistance with this know problem. They refused a free repair. I have been a Master ASE mechanic for over 25 years at a dealership and know repairs of this type are usually done in house under a goodwill policy, otherwise swept under the rug so there is no recall. I went to the local dealer here and the tech there said he use to do the repair almost everyday. the same thing happened to my housemates at some time and he doesn't remember the details. This is a serious problem and there should be a recall as it could result in death given the circumstances
A smell of gas was present in the passenger area. I took it to my mechanic. He said the Damper Fuel Assembly (Part # 42086AE040) was leaking. It is a high pressure gas hose. Subaru no longer makes the part, making the car valueless. We tried junkyards, etc, but that part seems to be leaking on all. It is dangerous. I can drive it, perhaps, but the gas smell is in the body of the car. Subaru said it's "unfortunate" that the car that was worth $6-7,000 last week is worth nothing. Unless I want to drive it unsafely.
SUBFRAME CORROSION
I KEEP RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL LETTERS ABOUT THE AIRBAG IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPPED SINCE JULY 2017. I COULD NO LONGER GET IT TO PASS EMISSIONS. I HAVE SINCE THEN CALLED THE NUMBER ON THE LETTERS SEVERAL TIMES TO REMOVE ME FROM THE NOTICE LIST BUT I KEEP RECEIVING THEM. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT EVERY RECALL NOTICE HAS A DIFFERENT PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND IT APPEARS CALLS ARE GOING TO A DIFFERENT CALL CENTER EVERY TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THE US DOT AND NHTSA IS BEING RIPPED OFF BY WHOMEVER IS CONTRACTED TO SEND OUT THESE LETTERS. EVERY OPERATOR AT THE CALL CENTERS STATES THEY WILL UPDATE THEIR FILE AND REMOVE ME FROM THE LIST, BUT LIKE CLOCKWORK I STILL RECEIVE THE NOTICES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PADDLE WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE PARKING BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT GOT OUT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE BRAKE FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE
2004 Subaru Legacy questions
Does the 2004 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2004 Subaru Legacy: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments; Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture in a Crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Subaru Legacy?
Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (26), Vehicle Speed Control (5), Engine (5).
How do I check if a recall on my 2004 Subaru Legacy has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.