2003 Subaru Outback vs 2004 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Subaru Outback | 2004 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 93 | 90 |
| Recall campaigns | 14 | 10 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 190 | 185 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported mileage | 74,611 mi | 68,006 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 19 | 25 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 20 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 13 |
| Power Train | 13 | 10 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 8 |
| Suspension | 9 | 4 |
| Visibility | 3 | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 0 |
| Stalling | 6 | 7 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 10 |
2003 Subaru Outback
2004 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.