repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 Subaru OutbackProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 90 owner complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-361 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 17, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Subaru Outback has problems
90 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
25Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
20Vehicle speed control7 crash/fire/injury
13Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
10Power train3 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
5Visibility
4Suspension
3Fuel system, gasoline
3Fuel/propulsion system
118 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 25 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 1 |
| Power train | 10 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3 |
| Visibility | 5 | 1 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 11 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2004 Subaru Outback recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Outback year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Outback median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Subaru Outback safety ratings
2004 Subaru Outback 4-DR. Wagon in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Subaru Outback, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-787
In owners' words
What Outback owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN JULY 2016..I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE INFORMED BY MAIL WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. IT'S 14 MONTHS LATER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND…
Own a 2004 Outback?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.