2004 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 49 complaints (53.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 10.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 26; Engine: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 12; 2017: 12; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10117352 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
2004 SUBARU LEGACY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LOCKED UP THE BRAKES/WHEELS AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117674 · 2005-05-13 (May 13, 2005)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AN RAN INTO THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO PICKUP EXCEPT THAT THE VEHICLE'S HOOD WA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120859 · 2005-05-13 (May 13, 2005)
DT: 04/30/05 PROBLEM BEGAN. AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE STEERING FELT OUT OF CONTROL. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 05/07/05. AT 35 MPH COMING AROUND A CURVE ON A RAINY DAY, THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT BRAKES LOCKED, AND THE CONSUMER SLID WITH NO STEERING ABILITY. THE CONSUMER COULDN'T KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE OCCURRED. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. SLIGHT INJURIES TO DRIVER, NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313927 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
I WAS STEERING THE CAR, JUST LEAVING THE LOT OF A HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE. I MADE A RIGHT TURN, DROVE THE DISTANCE OF, PERHAPS, A CITY BLOCK AND MOVED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT SO I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO STOP. THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING! THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK! FEELING TERRIFIED, CONFUSED, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, I SHOVED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF. LATER, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS GIVEN THE "FLOOR MAT EXCUSE" THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD STUCK FOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061959 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 590 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11524858 · 2023-06-01 (June 1, 2023)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11524858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407038 · 2011-06-15 (June 15, 2011)
WHILE OPERATING THE 2004 SUBARU LEGACY LT AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST, CAUSING SEVER LACK OF CONTROL, THE BATTERY TROUBLE LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED. UPON INSPECTION (UNDER THE HOOD), IT WAS NOTED THAT ONE OF THE TWO DRIVE BELTS HAD BEEN RIPPED APART AND THE SECOND BELT HAD BEEN DISLODGED FROM IT'S PULLEYS , LEAVING THE POWER STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AIR CONDITIONER ETC WITHOUT DRIVE BELTS. IT WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505416 · 2023-02-03 (February 3, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505416 at NHTSA ↗