VehicleVerdict

2004 Subaru Outback speed control problems

The 2004 Subaru Outback has 20 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

20

Speed Control complaints

19%

Share of year

7

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Speed Control complaints by year

Related recalls

04V128000Speed ControlMarch 16, 2004 · 127,580 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

What owners report

I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A BOAT ON A TRAILER IN MY DRIVEWAY SENDING IT INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOME THE MORE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE ENGINE ACCELERATED I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A TREE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 11, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 2004 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback speed control — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Subaru Outback speed control?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the speed control: 04V128000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.