2005 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 35, the 14th-worst among 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict. Fuel system issues drive most complaints (63%), mainly fuel odor and leaks in cold weather, with a median failure mileage of 59,900.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
Top 2005 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System12 (63%)
- Engine4 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report strong gasoline odor and fumes inside the cabin, most often during cold starts below 15-20 degrees.
- Fuel line or gasket leaks are described as causing gas smell overnight and noticeable fuel loss, with some owners quoted around $900 for repair.
- Several owners report a clunking noise from the rear suspension at slow speeds, linked to worn struts.
- One owner reported a front sway bar mount and lower control arm snapping due to corrosion, separating from the vehicle.
- A turbocharger failure was reported on the highway, causing sudden power loss and a metal clanking noise before the engine died.
- One owner described the clutch and transmission losing power on the highway around 21,250 miles, with the dealer denying warranty coverage.
2005 Subaru WRX recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V076000Feb 13, 2023Airbags130 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.
- 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.
2005 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Subaru WRX reliable?
- Compared to other WRX model years, 2005 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th-worst out of 21 years, and carries a Good verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru WRX?
- Fuel system complaints make up 63% of all reports, mostly gasoline odor and leaks in cold weather. Engine and suspension issues each account for 21% of complaints.
- Does the 2005 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 WRX, all related to airbags, including passenger air bag inflator replacements. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2005 WRX problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 48,000 across complaints overall, with fuel system issues showing a median of 59,900 miles and transmission issues at 27,125 miles.
- How does the 2005 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2005 WRX's complaint index of 35 is much lower than the worst years like 2017 (index 100) and 2015 (index 85), which carry Avoid verdicts.