| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport repairs by problem area
Engine (50%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (18%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (10%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (3%)
Chart based on 197 repairs.
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (6%)
$1000 - $2499 (9%)
$500 - $999 (16%)
$100 - $499 (38%)
< $100 (31%)
Chart based on 87 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 300hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD
| 110000 mi US $6000 |
Spun a rod bearing, requiring full engine rebuild. The engine had previously been replaced at 104k miles, and was a crate smallblock from Subaru. |
| 113000 mi US $600 |
Worn out Turbo, required replacement |
| 113300 mi | radiator fan cut into radiator hose, causing a leak and requiring replacement. The problem was caused by a faulty installation. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 227hp 2.0L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 38000 mi | Replace radiator |
| 90000 mi US $1 |
A/C drive pulley locked up and ruined belt- replace belt and pulley |
| 92000 mi US $985 |
Thermostat failed;cracked radiator. Bill $1,050 including tax. |
| 119000 mi US $1100 |
Raw fuel leak faulty hose common problem up to 2009 models |
| 124000 mi | Clutch slipping |
| 127000 mi US $46 |
Ac idler pulley was replaced |
| 148000 mi US $120 |
Radiator and thermostat replaced |
| 148000 mi US $150 |
Replaced valve cover gaskets. Both sides. |
| 164000 mi US $450 |
Engine ran too rich due to me switching sparkplug wires, catalytic converter ran hot and damaged turbo |
| 110000 mi | First replacement timing belt was squealing and then snapped. Mechanic put new one on no charge and it has worked without problems. |
| 38000 mi US $500 |
Radiator leaked at the plastic top seam. Replaced with a Koyo all aluminum radiator. |
| 55000 mi US $100 |
Just had to have adjustment made so check engine light wouldn't come on |
| 130000 mi US $150 |
Top of plastic radiator tank split |
| 93000 mi US $260 |
Blown radiator. Car was perfect until 88k and then started falling apart so I sold it. Oh well. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 227hp 2.0L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 99000 mi US $200 |
Cylinder 3 misfire due to bad coil pack. The same coil pack had been replaced approximately 20 months ago for the same issue. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 60760 mi | Piston and gasket head replaced in engine to correct engine knock. |
| 43400 mi | Top end rebuild to alleviate piston slap |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Wagon
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 89280 mi C $200 |
Got a Check Engine Light P0442 which is evaporative system (small leak). Have not solved it yet, but garages seem to want $100 just for a smoke test then unknown amount for determining and fixing the leak. Not too happy. |
| 92000 mi US $20 |
Heat shield breaking off. Re-attached the shield. |
| 94000 mi US $250 |
P0030 code - Check Engine light went on kept coming back on even after resetting. O2 sensor in Bank 1 had to be replaced. |
| 100000 mi US $65 |
collapsed radiator hose, hole blowing steam in it. Hose replaced, no other issue found. |
| 65700 mi C $850 |
3) gas fumes during winter months when gas lines leak into the air vents (can only fix via recirculating int air) |
| 68200 mi C $200 |
Check engine light, and error codes pointed to the Emissions controls. Checked fuel cap, hoses. Reset the computer code, light went quiet for 1 week and is back on. |
| 71300 mi C $5000 |
Manifold gasket leak / replaced. EVAP repaired |
| 62760 mi C $2000 |
Timing belt, water pump, ignition system, head gastkets |
| 73780 mi | Fuel smell in the cabin at -5Celcius or below |
| 126000 mi US $27 |
Loose heat shield was spot welded together |
| 129000 mi | Heat shield loosened again but in multiple places this time. Shop personnel spot welded heat shield and added a couple of retaining brackets for support. All work done at no cost. |
| 135000 mi US $45 |
Engine overheating was result of faulty thermostat. Thermostat was replaced. |
| 137000 mi US $43 |
I had ongoing problem with unwanted vibration because of loose heat shields. After failing to repair successfully, I had them removed. |
| 148000 mi US $505 |
Check Engine light was on for over two weeks. Diagnostic test indicated oxygen sensor malfunction. Replacement of the sensor was necessary. |
| 149000 mi US $845 |
My exhaust pipe rusted completely through between the 2nd & 3rd catalytic converters. I needed to replace 2/3 of my exhaust system, and since the cost was about the same as for OEM parts, I replaced it with a Flowmaster cat-back system. |
| 156000 mi US $600 |
Head gaskets leaking externally, possible damage to cylinder heads; also, faint clanking sound emanating from engine suggestive of damaged bearings |
| 157800 mi US $1200 |
Head gasket & oil pan leak and shifter cable frayed All parts were replaced including belts, water pump, seals, bushings, and related fluids. I am unable to separate these costs. Routine work performed at same time that I did not include. |
| 177000 mi US $120 |
The evap canister drain valve failed and needed replacement. Two electronic codes--P0457 and especially P1443--led to this diagnosis. The canister evap vent valve was replaced with new unit. |
| 189800 mi US $108 |
A/C belt drive idler pulley assembly contained damaged/worn bearings. Drive belt idler pulley was replaced. |
| 194000 mi US $1170 |
External coolant leak in rusted metal bypass tube from water pump to heater hose resulted in damaged head gaskets and blown seals. All damaged parts plus water pump, thermostat, and timing kit were replaced. |
| 202000 mi US $497 |
My car had a faulty ignition coil and ignition wire leading from coil to cylinder 2. Both coil and wire replaced. |
| 202000 mi | Sporadic CEL related to the evap system or fuel system something-or-other. |
| 44640 mi C $316 |
Car stalling during cold start |
| 61060 mi | smell of raw fuel within cabin when car started in cold weather. It goes away once car is warmed up. Apparently, a common problem according to the forums; due to crack injection lines under the manifold |
| 62620 mi | Hole in exhaust at mounting bracket |
| 66200 mi C $820 |
Repaired exhaust at centre mount; cut out corroded section and bracket and installed new section and new bracket. |
| 134000 mi US $200 |
small piece of rubber fuel line leading to passenger side injectors was leaking fuel power steering belt was squealing and was replaced |
| 129900 mi US $2500 |
Replace leaking head gaskets. |
| 95000 mi US $500 |
Replaced head gaskets as preventative measure after they were found to be leaking oil. |
| 102000 mi US $1500 |
Replaced rusted exhaust components including new catalytic converter & O2 sensor. |
| 112000 mi US $500 |
Raw fuel smell when very cold out (less than 15F) |
| 91000 mi US $130 |
O2 sensor failed and replaced. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 300hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD
| 149000 mi US $50 |
General maintenece, changed engine oil and filter, also changed transmission fluid |
| 150000 mi US $4500 |
Replaced the turbo. Replaced fuel injectors and fuel rails. |
| 64000 mi US $300 |
Radiator fan came into contact with upper radiator hose and wore a hole into the hose. Happens somewhat frequently based on reports on nasioc.com. Replaced hose. Also replaced radiator due to signs of leakage between core and end tanks. |
| 68500 mi US $110 |
Leaking valve cover gasket on driver's side. Replaced both valve cover gaskets. |
| 134000 mi US $450 |
Both valve cover gaskets leaking badly. Oil cooler leaking oil due to Sears Auto overtightening oil filter. Cooler was crushed and out of shape. Check engine light code P0457. Evap system is faulty. Replaced charcoal vapor canister + gas cap, but check engine light still returned. |
| 69000 mi US $100 |
CEL P0011 P0021 - changed oil, removed pre-avcs filter screens, problem went away. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.0L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 89000 mi US $6000 |
hot day. accelerated up a slight hill. heard severe engine knock. Cam bearing failure. Engine toasted. Was told by friend who races cars that they had lost a few engines due to lightweight synthetic oil problems during very hot weather. |
| 156100 mi US $400 |
misfire on cylinders 1,2,3,4. replaced coil packs. Still misfire on cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 compression down compared to 1,3,4. Most probable cause is a bad exhaust valve. Able to coax car to an emission test pass. Drives well. |
| 170300 mi US $700 |
oxygen sensors replaced repair of exhaust leaks |
| 69000 mi US $100 |
Head Gasket - covered under extended warranty |
| 91500 mi C $400 |
fuel lines leak during very cold weather, cause a smell of gasoline in the cabine |
| 114700 mi C $30 |
Gasket from the turbo to the downpipe |
| 80000 mi US $450 |
O2 sensor failure |
| 103900 mi | Check engine light on, cause unknown. |
| 106000 mi | Broken connecting rod |
| 172000 mi US $650 |
Map Sensor IAT Sensor |
| 97000 mi US $250 |
Plastic end tank on stock radiator cracked and leaking coolant. Replaced with new aftermarket radiator with aluminum end tanks (less expensive than new OEM plastic/aluminum radiator). Installed radiator and replaced coolant. |
| 106500 mi US $85 |
Leaking turbo oil feed line. OEM hard line was cracked. |
| 112000 mi US $100 |
O2 sensor failed. Replaced. |
| 119000 mi US $220 |
The AC pulley went bad and started making a very loud whining noise. |
| 133500 mi US $480 |
clamps on fuel lines not holding hoses on and gas was leaking.clamps were placed at earlier visit 2 years ago when hoses had worn out and were leaking coolant hoses leaking/loose |
| 146000 mi US $1200 |
new clutch and flywheel after 146,000 miles. stock clutch lasted 10 years beyond turbo upgrade, 340 lb/ft at the crank |
| 148000 mi US $60 |
bottom radiator hose separated from radiator. coolant left radiator. reattached hose, added new coolant and Subaru coolant conditioner |
| 148000 mi US $50 |
failed CO emissions. changed downpipe PCV valve old. put new PCV valve in. |
| 149000 mi US $120 |
adjusted leaking fuel injectors/fuel rail driver's side, new fuel filter. transmission mount bushings were shot. |
| 185000 mi US $100 |
replaced valve cover gaskets |
| 133000 mi US $1800 |
Clutch replacement |
| 143000 mi US $303 |
Leaking defective radiator which was replaced with a new aftermarket radiator |
| 57000 mi US $900 |
Been hearing occasional squeak. While in for an oil change, mechanic identified it as one of the belts. Since timing belts were about due, got all the belts and tensioners changed. A radiator hose was also changed. |
| 88700 mi US $600 |
Crack in top tank of radiator. Replaced radiator, coolant hoses, thermostat. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.0L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 205000 mi US $1800 |
Water pump leaking. Also replaced all timing components + belt. Replaced hydraulic tensioner and all four idler pulleys while in there. All had various amounts of play. Oil pump/seal was also leaking and oil pump had to be replaced. |
| 178300 mi US $237 |
#3 coil failed causing misfire and flashing CEL. |
| 221000 mi US $300 |
#3 cylinder coil failed again causing #3 cylinder misfire. #3 coil was replaced as we're all 4 spark plugs. |
2004 Subaru Impreza / Outback Sport 4dr Sedan
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 126000 mi US $200 |
one cylinder lost compression completely. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.
