2004 Subaru WRX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
69,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 42 complaints (61.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 13; 2010: 8; 2011: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10211476 · 2007-12-11 (December 11, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU WRX. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT END. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE. THE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255068 · 2009-01-14 (January 14, 2009)
I OWN A 2004 SUBARU WRX WITH 42000 MILES. IT WAS RECENTLY BELOW 20 DEGREES IN TOWN AND I NOTICED A RAW GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I PINPOINTED THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS FROM GALLAS AND DAVIS SUBARU IN ALBUQUERQUE. THEY CONFIRMED GAS LEAK COMING FROM FUEL RAIL. DEALER HAS QUOTED 670.00 FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE SEEN SUBARU RELEASED TSB 09-36-03 RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. I AM WAITING ON RESPONSE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA T…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162644 · 2006-07-05 (July 5, 2006)
2004 WRX MANUAL TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONIZER PROBLEMS. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313717 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
EACH TIME THE ENGINE IS STARTED FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER ABOUT 4 HOURS OF NOT RUNNING, AND THE CAR IS PUT INTO MOTION, THE BRAKES FAIL TO EASILY STOP THE CAR. EXTREME PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP. THIS CONDITION LASTS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES-UP TO APPROXIMATELY 3- WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, AND CONTINUES. THE CAR'S UNSTOPPABLE AND CONTINUED FORWARD OR BACKWARD MOTION COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO A PERSON IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN AN OUTDOOR SPACE SUCH AS A PARKING LOT,…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313717 at NHTSA ↗