2005 Subaru Legacy Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Subaru Legacy has 184 complaints, a complaint index of 70, and 9 recalls, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by engine complaints (47, 26% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 61,746.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Legacy years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 184
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2005 Subaru Legacy problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine47 (26%)
- Brakes33 (18%)
- Electrical System31 (17%)
- Fuel System27 (15%)
- Airbags21 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (7%)
- Structure & Body10 (5%)
- Other6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power steering assist and develops a loud clunking noise while driving, with dashboard gauges and warning lights failing at the same time.
- Front or side curtain airbags fail to deploy in low-speed crashes on icy or wet roads, sometimes accompanied by loss of vehicle control.
- Electrical system faults cause a burn mark or melted plastic around the map light and auto-dimming mirror after the vehicle fails to start.
- A seat cushion smolders and burns after the heating system is activated, without any collision involved.
- A cast front wheel breaks apart while driving, separating from the vehicle and causing loss of control and a crash.
- Vehicle spins or fishtails on wet or snowy roads, sometimes ending in a collision with a median or roadside object.
2005 Subaru Legacy recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2005 Subaru Legacy fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Subaru Legacy reliable?
- NHTSA lists 184 complaints and 9 recalls for the 2005 Legacy, giving it a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict relative to other Legacy model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
- Engine complaints are the top problem area, accounting for 47 complaints (26% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 61,746.
- Does the 2005 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2005 Legacy, covering airbags, brakes, and the electrical system, including a passenger air bag inflator replacement and an ignition switch inspection.
- How does the 2005 Legacy compare to other Legacy years?
- The 2005 Legacy ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 70, better than 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020, which are rated Avoid with higher indexes.
- What fuel economy does the 2005 Subaru Legacy get?
- EPA rates the 2005 Legacy at 21 mpg combined (18.5 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.