Total Complaints
55 filings
SUBARU LEGACY · model year
55 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004SUBARULEGACY carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 LEGACY is air bags with 26 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (5) and engine (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2004 LEGACY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
55 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 26 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermark
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Or
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentu
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CERTAIN PASSENGER OR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE OR OUT OF POSITION FUEL FILLER HOSE CLAMP.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawai
AIR BAGS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U
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 the driver is driving in.
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.
Mileage: 254,600
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.
Mileage: 254,600
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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V000000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU LOCATED AT 7982 BIG BEND BLVD, WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119 PHONE NUMBER: 314-968-5167) WHO WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN AND IF THEY WOULD BE RECEIVING THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR THE REMEDY. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA INFLATORS;THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING ON &OFF &NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME , THE BAG WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON JAN. 19 2017 @ NORTHPARK SUBARU HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TX.,HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT THE BAG WAS INDEED REPLACED & WHY DID THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AFTER THE BAG WAS REPLACED A SHORT TIME AFTERWARDS , NOT ALL THE TIME , BUT EVERY NOW & THEN & NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME ? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE & HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT THE RECALL WAS INDEED PREFORMED ? WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR ,TO ME IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD'NT BEEN TOUCHED ,TO BE HONEST , BUT I DID'NT QUESTION IT @ THE TIME , AM I WRONG TO THINK THAT ? ANY WAY I WAS NOT TOLD WHICH BAGS WERE REPLACED , DRIVER SIDE OR PASS SIDE OR BOTH , I DON'T KNOW , CAN YOU HELP ???
TAKATA INFLATORS;THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING ON &OFF &NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME , THE BAG WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON JAN. 19 2017 @ NORTHPARK SUBARU HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TX.,HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT THE BAG WAS INDEED REPLACED & WHY DID THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AFTER THE BAG WAS REPLACED A SHORT TIME AFTERWARDS , NOT ALL THE TIME , BUT EVERY NOW & THEN & NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME ? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE & HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT THE RECALL WAS INDEED PREFORMED ? WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR ,TO ME IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD'NT BEEN TOUCHED ,TO BE HONEST , BUT I DID'NT QUESTION IT @ THE TIME , AM I WRONG TO THINK THAT ? ANY WAY I WAS NOT TOLD WHICH BAGS WERE REPLACED , DRIVER SIDE OR PASS SIDE OR BOTH , I DON'T KNOW , CAN YOU HELP ???
TAKATA - PSAN INFLATOR, NEVER NOTIFIED.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LIBERTY SUBARU (201-261-0900, LOCATED AT 55 KINDERKAMACK RD, EMERSON, NJ 07630) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS PLACED NUMBER 12 ON THE WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR'S BEEN LISTED SINCE LAST JUNE. NO CONTACT WHATSOEVER FROM SUBARU EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD TO EXPECT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. LUCKILY NO INCIDENT SO FAR, BUT THE FIELDS IN THIS COMPLAINT FORM REQUIRE DATES, ETC. SO I'LL USE TODAY'S DATE.
Mileage: 120,000
TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR HAS BEEN LISTED FOR THE RECALL SINCE JUNE 2016, BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONCE CONTACTED BY SUBARU TO COME IN FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NO INCIDENT, FORTUNATELY, BUT THE FIELD BELOW REQUIRES A DATE, SO I'LL ENTER TODAY'S.
Mileage: 60,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
HOOD LATCH FAILURE ON HIGHWAY. FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD. SAME THING HAPPENED TO OUR 2007 SUBARU LEGACY EXACTLY A WEEK AFTER. WINDSHIELDS AND HOODS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE LATCH IS LIKE A TOY, NOT STURDY AT ALL. CONTACT ME ASAP FOR PHOTOS [XXX] COULDN'T GET THE PHOTOS TO LOAD INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Mileage: 74,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL DATE OF JUNE 10, 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO INFORMATION OR CONTACT BY SUBARU SINCE THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND HAVE NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THEY WILL. PLEASE REQUEST SUBARU EXPEDITE THE RECALL PROCESS.
Mileage: 100,000
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.