CarRecallWatchThe 2004 Subaru Outback has 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, including 9 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (25 reports).
2004 Subaru Outback 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 Outback problems
Problem areas named in the 90 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
What owners report
AUTOZONE SOLD ME (VIA WARRANTY EXCHANGE) AFTERMARKET BRAKE PADS THAT SUPPOSEDLY WERE THE SAME PART #D929 AS THE BRAKE PADS AUTOZONE HAD PREVIOUSLY SOLD ME AND WAS REPLACING UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS THAT THEY PROVIDED TO ME TODAY AS WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS WERE TOO LARGE FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER AND WOULD BE UNSAFE IF INSTALLED AND FORCED TO FIT IN THE CALIPER. SPECIFICALLY, THE INNER SHOULDER DIMENSION ON THESE PADS IS TOO LARGE TO FIT PROPERLY IN THE CALIPER. I VERIFIED THE PROBLEM BY PURCHASING BRAKE PADS FROM A DIFFERENT AUTO SUPPLY STORE AND INSTALLING THEM WITH NO DIFFICULTY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED DURING BRAKE PAD
I GET CARDS,I CALL,I GET LETTERS ,I CALL DOESN'T MATTER WHO SENDS THEM,YOU OR SUBARU DEALER ,TELLING ME I NEED TO HAVE AN AIRBAG SWAPPED OUT AS BEING DEFECTIVE,AND ME TELLING YOU I DO NOT HAVE THE CAR ANYMORE,IT WAS PICKED UP BY AN AUCTION HOUSE BUT IT NEEDED ALOT DONE TO IT SO THEY MAY HAVE SCRAPPED IT,I DON'T KNOW. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THIS IS THE LAST YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME ABOUT THIS CAR, AND YOU CAN WASTE AS MANY TREES SENDING ME NOTICES. FROM NOW ON THEY GO IN THE TRASH,NO MORE CALLS FROM ME,AND DON'T CALL ME ABOUT IT,THE CAR WAS JUNKED,PERIOD
PURCHASED THIS CAR LISTED IN IAA WEBSITE AS HAVING $68,000.00 MILES, THIS WEEK MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD $220,000.00 MILES. I JUST CHECKED CARFAX UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS A ODOMETER ROLLBACK.
NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG PASSENGER FRONT RECALL.
2004 SUBURBAN OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
2004 Subaru Outback questions
Does the 2004 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2004 Subaru Outback: 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 Outback?
Based on 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (25), Vehicle Speed Control (20), Engine And Engine Cooling (14).
How do I check if a recall on my 2004 Subaru Outback 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.