2005 SUBARU LEGACY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
247
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
26
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
The 2005 SUBARU LEGACY has received a total of 247 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 26 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (25 complaints), Service Brakes (20 complaints), and Air Bags (19 complaints).
Recalls for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY, potentially affecting up to 1,672,862 vehicles.
Recall 20V003000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 111,562 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 20V001000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 258,813 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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....
View full details →Recall 20V002000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 127,547 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 19V297000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
| 511 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 19V297000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
| 511 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 15V323000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 432,016 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 14V763000 — AIR BAGS
| 4,175 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 14V311000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 461,338 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 13V110000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 274,402 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 04V274000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| 1,987 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: 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. .
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
247 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, while braking for a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear passenger side brake line had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer since the dealer stated the vehicle was not registered in the listed states on the recall notification. The failure mileage was 229,126. Parts distribution disconnect.
The vehicles brake lines have corroded and started to leak, resulting in the stopping distance increasing and the vehicle not being safe to drive. When getting the airbag recall performed at the Subaru dealership 3 years ago I mentioned the brake line recall. They stated they inspected the lines, and no issue was present. There is now an obvious issue with the brake line corroding and failing. Subaru is telling me there is no active recall.
I noticed a small puddle of fluid by the right rear wheel and immediately brought the vehicle over to Premier Subaru of Fremont, CA for an inspection. Premier Subaru diagnosed the problem as the right rear hard brake line failure and leak due to excessive corrosion. Premier Subaru provided a repair estimate of $3,997.17; stating that this issue needs immediate attention. Back in 2014, there was a service campaign to address this issue; #14V311000 and my car received this service. I've contacted Subaru of America (SOA), Customer Advocacy, about this issue and they are not willing to provide any assistance to address this current issue, even though it is directly related to the 2014 campaign. I am the second owner of this car purchasing it in 2011. The car is in excellent mechanical condition having only 135,000 miles (averaging ~7,100 miles/year) and has spent the last 7 years in the San Francisco, CA area. Pictures of the undercarriage of the car are available should you need them.
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the hydraulic brake lines were leaking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that there was rust covering the subframe of the vehicle and fuel tank. The dealer declined to complete a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the hydraulic brake lines were leaking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that there was rust covering the subframe of the vehicle and fuel tank. The dealer declined to complete a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Safety Rating for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 26 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
WVI19R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PZEV MODELS ONLY. REVISED. This Campaign applies to vehicles in any state except those with motor vehicle registrations in the States of California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York or Vermont. For affected vehicles registered in these states, see Service Program WVH-18. INTRODUCTION Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles...
WVH18R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PZEV MODELS ONLY. REVISED. This Campaign only applies to vehicles with motor vehicle registration in the States of California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Vermont. For affected vehicles registered in any other state, see Service Program WVI-19. INTRODUCTION Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this...
WQM-49R — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
THE REVISEMENT OF THIS RECALL ADVISES (WQM-49) HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED TO THE WQP-51 REGIONAL FRONT PASSENGER TAKATA AIR BAG INFLATOR RECALL.
SM01 - WQM-49 — AIR BAGS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS WQM-49
SB-WVH-18 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUBARU: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM)REPROGRAMMING. UNDER CERTAIN UNIQUE DRIVING PATTERNS, SUCH AS REPEATED ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION AND/OR CONTINUOUS UPHILL DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ABOUT 75MPH), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP HIGH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED DESIGN PARAMETERS. IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, THIS CONDITION MAY EVENTUALLY DEGRADE THE EFFICIENCY...
SB-WVI-19 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
SUBARU: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAMMING. UNDER CERTAIN UNIQUE DRIVING PATTERNS, SUCH AS REPEATED ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION AND/OR CONTINUOUS UPHILL DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ABOUT 75MPH), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS OF AFFECTIVE VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP HIGH INTERNAL TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED DESIGN PARAMETER. IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, THIS CONDITION MAY EVENTUALLY DEGRADE THE...
12 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RADIATOR COOLING FAN RELAY #2. *KB
094306 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
MODIFICATION OF MAIN COOLING FAN RELAY. *TT
05012006 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *TT
11012005 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WATER LEAK FROM A/C EVAPORATOR. TECHTIPS. *TT
Showing 10 of 26 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 SUBARU LEGACY
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU LEGACY
- 2000 SUBARU LEGACY — 119 complaints
- 2001 SUBARU LEGACY — 90 complaints
- 2002 SUBARU LEGACY — 71 complaints
- 2003 SUBARU LEGACY — 69 complaints
- 2004 SUBARU LEGACY — 55 complaints
- 2005 SUBARU LEGACY (current)
- 2006 SUBARU LEGACY — 135 complaints
- 2007 SUBARU LEGACY — 45 complaints
- 2008 SUBARU LEGACY — 83 complaints
- 2009 SUBARU LEGACY — 75 complaints
- 2010 SUBARU LEGACY — 217 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints