2004 Subaru Legacy Subaru Legacy 2004

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2004 Subaru Legacy repairs by problem area

Engine (35%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (0%)

Suspension and Steering (13%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 54 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Subaru Legacy.

2004 Subaru Legacy repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (14%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (43%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 44 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Subaru Legacy

Engine not specified

Subaru Legacy in Belgium
Jul 2010 - Jun 2022
May 2011

96720 mi

€200
Rubbers for front suspension were cracked, and had to be replaced. 
Sep 2011

109740 mi

€600
NOISE FROM GEARBOX. A small part in it was damaged. Dealer says Subaru knows 1/1000 of those parts get broken... 
Nov 2011

115320 mi
Motor for lock of passenger door sometimes not working. 
Feb 2012

119040 mi

€1200
Fly wheel got broken and had to be replaced. 
Sep 2016

173600 mi

€100
Light of the aribag sometimes went on 
Mar 2017

176700 mi

€900
Noise comming from transmission. Some bearings had to be replaced. Main cost was man-hours 
Jul 2017

182280 mi

€1800
Sudden power losses appeared. Often it helped to restart the car - but of course not acceptable. Garage first replaced Lambda sonde, but this did not solve the issue. In the end, a throttle valve (or somethin like that) was replaced. NOTE: in the end the garage searched for free, checking and cleaning all electric contacts which did solve the problem!! Oooofffff, cause I really like this car UPDATE 1/10/2017: The number of power losses reduced, but the problem is not solved yet!! 

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2004 Subaru Legacy 4dr Wagon

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

Subaru Legacy in Massachusetts, United States
Aug 2012 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012

163000 mi
A window would not roll up. 
Subaru Legacy in California, United States
Feb 2013 - Sep 2018
Jan 2014

US $20
Torn power steering boot 
Feb 2015

132000 mi

US $2900
Timing belt, clutch, and head gasket 
Jul 2017

171000 mi

US $200
Regapped clutch 
Jul 2018

180000 mi

US $250
P0420 cel light. Changed primary and secondary o2 sensors. Cleaned injectors, maf,throttle body and egr. Cel light still on. 
Subaru Legacy in Vermont, United States
Jan 2008 - Mar 2015
Jul 2008

45000 mi
Front driver's side speaker stopped working, continues not to work to this day. Removed speaker, tests fine, so the fault is in the wiring somewhere. 
Jan 2009

48000 mi

US $10
Tailgate latch doesn't work well. Requires multiple lockings and unlocking of central locks to get it to release. Liberal application of white lithium grease helps somewhat. 
Aug 2009

55000 mi
Poor power window operation. Removed door panel, found five loose bolts in regulator. No lock nuts applied at factory, huge pain in the ass, and the other window is rattling now, too. 
Dec 2009

59000 mi
Just got my car back after 30 (THIRTY) days in the shop for intermittent stalling. Unable to solve the problem, covered under warranty. Dealership installed black box data recorder, cold comfort next time it dies in traffic. 
Mar 2011

72000 mi

US $60
Replaced rear stabilizer bar links on both sides due to failure of existing left side unit. Replacement units an improved design. 
Jun 2011

60000 mi

US $10
Bad leaks into rear cargo area from roof anchor openings in headliner. Unable to find source of leaks. Front moonroof failed. Unable to repair. 
Aug 2011

74000 mi

US $1500
Leaking head gaskets, front main seal. Torn CV boot and ruined axle. 
Apr 2012

81000 mi

US $644
Heat shield ears cracked, heat shield cut off entirely 
Apr 2013

94000 mi

US $45
Multiple exhaust holes. 
Oct 2014

119200 mi

US $1400
Both front CV joints Full exhaust replacement Battery failed while in the shop 

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2004 Subaru Legacy 4dr Wagon

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Subaru Legacy in Ireland
Sep 2011 - May 2013
Oct 2011

104160 mi
engine light on and cruise not working...garage suspects catalytic converter. sensor seized in place so failed to extract old sensor so no repair completed. 
Jan 2013

111220 mi

€500
Finally replaced front O2 sensor at main dealer. Expensive at 400 but CAT seems ok and all lights now off and cruise control and stability system now working as they should. 

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2004 Subaru Legacy 4dr Wagon

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Legacy in Maryland, United States
Jul 2010 - Jul 2012
Oct 2010

94500 mi

US $6
Tail light replacement. Took about 20 minutes by the time panels were popped off and dropped hardware fished out of the compartment. Bulbs are a frequent maintenance item on this car, the tail light is the only hard one I've found. 
Dec 2010

97000 mi

US $23
Check engine light came on. Went to auto parts store for free OBD II reading. Found to be evaporative emissions problem. Replaced fuel cap, was not the cause of light. 
Jan 2011

98000 mi
Rechecked tightness of fuel cap and cleaned filler neck surface. Light went out shortly after. 
Jun 2011

105000 mi

US $586
Air conditioning service, recharged to appropriate level, installed dye to check for refrigerant leak ($147). 
Oct 2011

109000 mi

US $266
Check engine light on with engine missing on uphill climbs causing check engine light to flash. Replaced spark plugs and wires and problem has not returned. 
Nov 2011

109800 mi

US $22
Replaced all four light bulbs in instrument cluster, gas gauge and left side of speedometer were dark. Disassembly of dash and center console required. Tailgate locked and would not open with key or handle. Removed interior trim, tripped lock with pry bar. Cleaned and lubed with Teflon spray, removed debris that may have been caught in latch. 
Feb 2012

113000 mi

US $115
Steering wandering to the left and more difficult to steer right than left. Four wheel alignment performed and power steering belt retensioned (not included in price below). 
May 2012

116200 mi

US $1420
Replaced cat-back exhaust, due to collapse of interior of muffler and corrosion of pipe in front. Leaking coolant from water pump, had been adding coolant for some time. Failure of already replaced part. Replaced engine seals because of oil leak. 
Jun 2012

117000 mi

US $45
Changed rear differential fluid in attempt to diagnose drive train noise. 
Jul 2012

117000 mi

US $45
Car has had steering problem for some time, diagnosed as needing steering rack. Plan to dispose of vehicle. 

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2004 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan

165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Legacy in Great Britain
Aug 2013 - Jan 2016
Sep 2015

50000 mi

£100
Uk failed MOT, needed replacement bushes Uk failed MOT due to exhaust leak 
Subaru Legacy in Minnesota, United States
Sep 2011 - Nov 2019
Feb 2012

109900 mi

US $3200
Head gasket blown. Replaced head gasket, drive belt, water pump, head bolts, thermostat, spark plugs, spark plug wires 
Dec 2013

122000 mi

US $270
Inside boot (passenger side) torn, drive shaft and boot replaced 
May 2014

123600 mi

US $139
Car needed a recharge (hadn't had one in a long time) 
Jun 2015

128000 mi

US $400
No coolant in system - needed recharge Battery cables replaced 
Aug 2015

128900 mi

US $495
turn signal replacement 
Dec 2016

135000 mi

US $2200
Right wheel bearing replaced - worn out.  Mechanic also replaced right drive shaft. 
Jun 2018

143000 mi

US $170
Recharged AC. Fluid gone. 
Subaru Legacy in Pennsylvania, United States
Jan 2011 - May 2014
Mar 2014

107000 mi
Blown head gasket diagnosed 
May 2014

107000 mi
Blown head gasket 

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2004 Subaru Legacy Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Subaru Legacy problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.