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2004 Subaru Impreza suspension problems

17 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,307.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
18%
typical mileage
56,307
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Rear: shock absorber
    4
  • Rear
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Subaru Impreza suspension problems in other years

19931995200020052024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Subaru Impreza suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 6

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported September 6, 2011 · 318,215 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from september 5, 2000 through november 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will handle their vehicles and saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 11V464000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Front suspension control arm failureOpened April 7, 2011, closed September 23, 2011

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

PE11011

What 2004 Subaru Impreza owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Suspension · 235,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and hard braking, the vehicle started shuddering violently and the steering wheel was not operating as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 MPH. The contact then inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the front driver's side control arm had fractured. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Airbags, Suspension · 191,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 15V323000 (Air Bags) and 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The dealer informed the contact that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) could not be completed due to excessive corrosion. The approximate failure mileage was 191,000. Parts distributions disconnect.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Suspension · IL

The passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion. There was a previous recall to address this issue with an anti corrosion coating, but it did not prevent the control arm from corroding and failing. I had this addressed at the dealer, and they mentioned the issue was addressed. Recall the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000

Filed Apr 28, 2017 · Suspension · 1 miles · NY

While driving at about 30 MPH, the car began to shake uncontrollably. Upon inspection of the front end I saw that the lower suspension arm had cracked.

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Suspension · 145,000 miles · MA

Dealer claims to have properly performed a recall repair, but the problem persists I own a 2004 subaru impreza. There is a recall on the front suspension for a severe corrosion issue. I brought my car in to haddad subaru for the recall service in 2011 I was recently informed by my mechanic (not dealer mechanic) that the suspension is dangerously corroded and it "does not look like the recall was performed on this car." I had this opinion confirmed a second mechanic. I raised this issue with haddad subaru. They confirm the suspension is dangerously corroded, but will not replace it without authorization from subaru I raised this issue with subaru america and they state the recall was performed previously by hadad subaru and they have no further responsibility to address the issue. I am dubious the recall repair was correctly performed by hadad subaru in 2011 and that is why there is a problem now. It is a safety issue, so I have fixed it myself for nearly $1,000

Filed Sep 2, 2016 · Suspension · 127,842 miles · CT

Lower control arm failed causing a complete loss of steering due to rust.car was starting out just after traffic light turned green so a very slow speed.this would have been much worse if I was traveling at a faster speed. Car was previously recalled for this same issue and the repair was to inspect and spray rust proofing on lower control arms. This was not an acceptable repair as it failed anyway. I have a 2006 same make and model with the same recall and it was sprayed with rust proofing. I expect it will fail also if something more is not done like replacing them. So far dealer refuses to replace them.

Filed Nov 17, 2015 · Suspension · 124,300 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru impreza. While braking, the vehicle veered to the left and right. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the driver side lower control arm was severely corroded and was bending to the point of detachment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,300.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Suspension · 132,234 miles · MI

While driving along a smooth, straight stretch of us-12 the right lower control arm broke at the hanger bracket. See http://i62.tinypic.com/2ajq7ex.jpg. Control arm had been "rustproofed" as part of the 2011 recall. At one point along the break the metal measures less than 4 hundredths of an inch (0.0355") - see http://i62.tinypic.com/2q3qa1t.jpg. The sway bar link also broke.

Filed Apr 30, 2014 · Suspension · 56,307 miles · MA

I was driving on i190 in worchester ma merging into i290 when the lower control arm broke and the front end collapsed causing loss of control of the vehicle. At the subaru dealer's the control arm and sub frame were found to be rusted clear through. There was a factory recall issued in 2011, which we were not informed of. The vehicle has been serviced by subaru only since we purchased it.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · TN

There was observed rust on a small section of the rear quarter undercarriage of the car. Work was begun on july, 4 2013 to treat what was thought to be surface rust with por-15 rust inhibitor. When the car was on the lift and work began, it was observed that this small section on both the right and left side of the car was inadequacy protected by factory undercoating. This section was where support arms for both left and right rear wheels attach to the chassis. This section is rusted through and is showing signs of fatigue and cracking. The chassis attachment point front braces for the rear differential is fully rusted through. This area of the chassis shows no sign of damage, or abuse which would lead to rusting. The rest of the undercarriage is either rust free, or shows limited surface rust. The body panels of the car are rust free. In short, lack of proper rust treatment of key structural areas of the car, have resulted in severe corrosion, which has rendered the car unsafe in my (the owner's) opinion, as well as the opinion of the mechanic assisting in the inspection. I welcome any inspections by subaru of america or the federal safety agency.

Questions about the 2004 Subaru Impreza suspension

Does the 2004 Subaru Impreza have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Subaru Impreza, 18% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Subaru Impreza suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,307 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Subaru Impreza suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 11V464000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Subaru Impreza have bad suspension?

The Subaru Impreza model years with the most suspension complaints are 2002 (49 complaints), 2004 (17 complaints) and 2005 (17 complaints).

Other 2004 Subaru Impreza problems

Fuel system 37Airbags 14Transmission 9Brakes 6Acceleration 5Engine 5Visibility 4Body 3Locks 2Electrical 1Lights 1Seats 1Steering 1Tires 1

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