2005 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
NHTSA has 42 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2005 Subaru Outback, 15% of all 273 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest brake complaint count among 21 Outback model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 151,365 miles.
- Brakes complaints
- 42
- 15% of 273
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 151,365 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2005 Subaru Outback brake complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 18, 2005, latest Aug 22, 2025.
Brakes recalls for the 2005 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Brakes461,338 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in 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 the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
- NHTSA 13V110000Mar 27, 2013Brakes274,402 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in 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 the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Brakes complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2005 Subaru Outback have brake problems?
- NHTSA has 42 owner complaints about the brake in the 2005 Subaru Outback, 15% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 151,365 miles.
- Which Subaru Outback year has the most brake complaints?
- The 2011 Subaru Outback has the most brake complaints (84), compared with 42 for the 2005.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2005 Subaru Outback?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Subaru Outback concern the brake: 14V311000 and 13V110000.