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2005 Subaru Impreza Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Subaru Impreza, most often about the fuel system (25% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 13th of 27 Impreza model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2005 Subaru Impreza problems
Fuel system
19 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
Everytime I start the car in even the mildest to coldest temperatures, the car has an extreme gas smell in the cabin of the car. I have taken it to the shop and they claim they don't even smell it and cannot service it. There is a recall for model 02 and 03 of this car but does not cover my year. It's gotten to the…
I own a 2005 Subaru Impreza wrx sti, upon starting vehicle, idle, and driving there's strong fuel smell under the hood and inside the cabin. I have popped the hood and confirmed is coming from back passenger side of intake manifold where the fuel lines, rails, and injectors are. I have confirmed this to be relating to…
Suspension
17 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a loud clunking noise. He later inspected the vehicle and discovered that the driver side front lower control arm was fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. As a result, the contact almost lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front lower driver side control arm failed and would need to be replaced. The…
Air bags
12 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I own a 2005 Subaru Impreza, VIN [] and in july received a recall notice (15v-323) re. The wqr-53 recall campaign. The letter stated that the front passenger seat should not be used because of the safety hazard created by the defective air bag. Given the manner in which we use this car this presents are hardship for…
Takata recall : I have a 2005 Subaru wrx which has not been schedule for the recall, for over a year. I have been using the car without allowing anyone to sit in the front seat for a year now, waiting for the recall to be schedule. I am tired of being inconvenienced due to this recall.
Engine
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
When car is in motion and the heater is on the smell of burnt oil which becomes worse when the car comes to a full stop, valve cover gaskets leak on to the exhaust manifold due to poor engineering many parts need to be removed to gain access which in result causes a very expensive bill.
Everytime I start the car in even the mildest to coldest temperatures, the car has an extreme gas smell in the cabin of the car. I have taken it to the shop and they claim they don't even smell it and cannot service it. There is a recall for model 02 and 03 of this car but does not cover my year. It's gotten to the…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a yearly inspection, the technician noticed that the front subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The…
On october 10, 2014 at 6:13 am I drove home from the gym. As I approached my house I opened the garage door and the light came on. I slowed down and applied the brake before entering the garage, but the car became uncontrollable. It revved and accelerated hitting the wall between the garage and laundry room. It felt…
Brakes
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. While parked on an incline with the parking brake engaged, the vehicle rolled down a hill, crashed through fences, and struck a mailbox. There were no injuries. The vehicle is currently at a repair shop awaiting further inspection to determine why the emergency brake failed. The…
As I was about to take my 17 year old son out for a driving lesson. The right rear brake line blew as we were leaving our driveway. Thankfully we were not going fast and had enough braking to stop at which point I took over and used the parking brake to get the vehicle back to our house. After further inspection I…
Transmission
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: driveline, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
I was travailing 40-45 MPH on a 2 lane road in my 2005 Subaru wrx sti. I came out of a small s curve and went over a rough patch of road, and the tail end of the car started sliding out to the right, the next thing I knew I had ran into the bank and I was facing traffic, I hit the bank at least 40 MPH, there was a car…
: the contact stated the transmission stopped working without warning. The contact was driving at highway speeds when the vehicle suddenly lost power. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road safely. Then it was towed to the local dealer who determined the manual transmission needed to be replaced.
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 7%I have a 2005 wrx sti, and the paint has been chipping off!!! I store my car privately, it only has 18,000 miles on it, and the paint gets chipped off by anything and everything. I wax the car monthly and get it detailed quarterly. What kind of paint chips that fast? I have other friends with subarus and they have the…
Everytime I start the car in even the mildest to coldest temperatures, the car has an extreme gas smell in the cabin of the car. I have taken it to the shop and they claim they don't even smell it and cannot service it. There is a recall for model 02 and 03 of this car but does not cover my year. It's gotten to the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Subaru Impreza recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 par
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will handle their vehicles and saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from september 5, 2000 through november 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Questions about the 2005 Subaru Impreza
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Impreza?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (19 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); suspension (17 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 39,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Impreza have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 13, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Subaru Impreza?
- It is 13th of 27 Impreza model years by number of complaints, with 75 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.