Sayzia

2005 Subaru Outback

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Suspension is the leading concern among 273 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  6. 273

Of the 2005 reports, 13 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.

Primary concernSuspension56 reports · 21% of complaints
Owner complaints273Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Suspension56
  2. Vehicle speed control40
  3. Air bags38
  4. Service brakes32
  5. Exterior lighting30
  6. Electrical system28
  7. Power train17
  8. Engine and engine cooling16

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    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.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    Campaign 20V003000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    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.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    Campaign 20V002000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    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.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    Campaign 20V001000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Electrical system, ignition, switchApr 11, 2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

    The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

    Campaign 19V297000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.

    Campaign 15V323000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bagsDec 1, 2014

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.

    Campaign 14V763000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 10, 2014

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 14V311000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 27, 2013

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 13V110000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Air bags, side/windowJun 9, 2004

    THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. DURING A SIDE IMPACT TEST CONDUCTED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS), THE TEST RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IIHS TEST RESULTS AND THE RESULT OF SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY FHI.

    THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. .

    Campaign 04V274000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: service brakes

31 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2010, crash, fire

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FOUR PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. A MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE CRASH AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TUMBLER SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN UPDATED 07/27/10*JB

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 11, 2008

    AT AROUND 14,000 MILES THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ROTORS HAD WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. AGAIN AT ABOUT 22,000 I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS HAD WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO HEAVY BRAKING, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR RIDING THE BRAKES. I HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ROTORS HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO BE TURNED, MY DRIVING HABITS NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME IN OVER 2 MONTHS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

  3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 19, 2007

    COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DETAILS: THE BRAKE PADS ON MY 2005 SUBARU HAVE WARPED (ALL 4) AT 18,000 MILES PRODUCING AN UNEVEN SENSATION AS ONE IS BRAKING. IT ALSO INCREASES THE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP. AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION (AT 20,000 MILES) I WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 WHEELS NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, (EVEN THOUGH MY FRONT BRAKES HAVE 60% BRAKING EFFICIENCY & 70% ON THE REAR BRAKES). MY PARTNER, WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER, IS THE SOLE DRIVER OF OUR SUBARU AND IS VERY RARELY IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. ON THE FEW OCCASIONS WHEN SHE IS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SHE MAINTAINS EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN HER VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER TO AVOID HAVING TO USE HER BRAKES MORE THEN IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. NEITHER ONE OF US HAVE EVER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS ON A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE AS LOW AS 20,000 MILES AND BOTH OF US HAVE LIVED IN LARGE CITIES ALL OF OUR LIVES. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. SUBARU, OVERALL, MAKES RELIABLE, RESPONSIVE AND SAFE VEHICLES BUT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *JB

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 13, 2006

    THE ABS ON MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED IS TOO SENSITIVE. IT IS DANGEROUS DRIVING IN THE SNOW BECAUSE THE ABS KICKS IN TOO EASILY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN NEW TIRES WITH AN EXCELLENT RATING AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. BUMPS IN THE ROAD ALSO SET OFF THE ABS TOO EASILY LEADING TO SCARY SITUATIONS. I DRIVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH ABS AND THIS DOES NOT OCCUR. I AM NOT CONFIDENT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE SNOW, WHICH IS IRONIC BECAUSE IT IS AN AWD SUBARU (WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION). ABS IS SUPPOSED TO BENEFIT THE DRIVER, NOT HELP CREATE A COLLISION. *NM

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Equipment, Nov 8, 2005

    RE ODI 10133280 SIMILAR PROBLEM AT LOW SPEEDS AND VARYING ROAD CONDITIONS, EG FLAT ROAD, BUMPY ROAD ETC. *NM

  6. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 18, 2005

    THE BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2005 SUBARU HAVE WARPED (ALL 4) AT 14,000 MILES PRODUCING A VIOLENT PULSATING PEDAL AND INEFFICIENT BRAKING. THIS ALONE COULD CAUSE SOME DRIVERS TO ALLOW FOR INSUFFICIENT BRAKING DISTANCES CAUSING A CRASH. IT IS NOW MY UNDERSTANDING, AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, THAT THIS IS A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH THIS MANUFACTURER FOR MANY YEARS. THE SUBARU DEALER CUT THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED AT 14,000 MILES. *JB