2004 Subaru Outback: fire, smoke or burning smell

5 of the 90 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 6%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 57 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2025
2
2024
2
2022
5
2021
2
2020
6
2019
3
2018
4
2017
2
2016
4
2015
5
2014
4
2013
3
2012
6
2011
5
2010
2
2009
1
2008
2
2007
2
2006
2
2005
2
2004
5
2003
3
2001
4
2000
5
1999
1
1998
3
1997
2
1996
1

What owners say

Filed Jun 12, 2013 · Electrical · 162,000 miles · NY · fire

Drivers door started smoking and flaming. I pulled the part of door/armrest holding the window/mirror/lock controls and was able to pull over and blow out flames before fire spread.

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · VA · fire

The car burst into flames at 2:30 in the morning in my driveway. We last drove the car home at 10:30 the night before, so the car had been sitting for four hours in cold weather (around 20 degrees). The dogs started barking and I woke up to find my car burning in the driveway. Firetruck came around 5 minutes later and put out fire. Fire was burning around entire vehicle. Fireman said that fire appeared to be internal to the car and not caused by human intervention. Police put the fire down as a "routine" engine fire. I am very concerned about the safety of older subaru vehicles.

Filed Oct 30, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 119,000 miles · ME · fire

Our son was driving our 2004 subaru outback into a target parking lot. As he entered he noticed smoke and heat coming from driver's door. He stopped, shut the engine off as flames were now coming from the door. He called the durham north carolina fire department and they put out the fire. Interior of car in door, dash, windshield areas severely damaged. Appears to be electric problem although no windows or anything in this door area were in operation. No prior problems. Car towed to aaa and will take it to subaru dealer next week. He avoided getting burnt, barely.

Filed Nov 13, 2008 · Visibility · 86,695 miles · NY · fire

Started car to defrost windows and warm up before leaving home. Car warmed up for about 10 minutes,when I went outside to leave the inside door of the car was on fire which was spreading,I threw my coffee on the flames shut off the car obtained water and doused out the fire which continued to burn around the window/door switch. The vehicle was transported by flatbed to the oneonta,n.y. Subaru dealership where it is currently under repair. I believe that used parts are being obtained for the repair where possible. The cost continues to mount including mileage for a rental/now loaner car and my deductible. My confidence in the car is poor and my concern about this happening again is high. This car needs to be safe. The car is under extended warranty.

Filed Nov 26, 2007 · Engine · VT

We purchased our 2004 subaru outback used from our local dealer. At the time of purchase the vehicle had 28,545 miles on it. Since purchase we have had the vehicle back it back to the dealership numerous times because we smell burning oil and engine coolant- we currently have 36,119 miles on it. The first time the car went in for repair, the dealership replaced the head gasket because there was a "pin sized hole" in it. After about three months the smell returned and we brought to the same dealership. This time the dealership put an additive in the vehicle that they said was recommended by subaru to eliminate the problem. We are waiting to take the gar back yet again for the same problem and are now being told that it is normal for the vehicle to smell this way during the winter months. One of the mechanics even told us that the smell would be especially bad during the winter when going up hills. This explanation seems like a bunch of nonsense and an attempt to get us to accept that this is the way that subaru vehicles are. All we want is a car that works and doesn't smell like coolant or burning oil.