repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2005 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 184 owner complaints about the 2005 Subaru Legacy, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Subaru Legacy has problems
184 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
22Service brakes
21Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
15Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
15Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
13Power train
13Exterior lighting
12Fuel system, gasoline
7415 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 29 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 0 |
| Air bags | 21 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 1 |
| Power train | 13 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 12 | 1 |
| 15 other systems | 74 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2005 Subaru Legacy recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Ignition: switch
Risk. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: 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…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
no report yet
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
no report yet
Air bags: side/window
Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
40kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 25 engine and engine cooling complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.
11under 30k miles23under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Legacy year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legacy median. How we score
'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Subaru Legacy safety ratings
2005 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Subaru Legacy, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-772
In owners' words
What Legacy owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THIS IS THE SECOND WELL MAINTAINED SUBARU LEGACY THAT THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN IN UNDER 150,000 MILES. FIRST A 1999 AND NOW A 2005. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE I CAN TAKE LEGALLY AS SUBARU HAS…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TURBO MECHANISM. THE…
I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD NOISES START TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND THE CAR LOST POWER. AS SOON AS I SAFELY COULD, I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TURBOCHARGER. IT REPLACED…
Own a 2005 Legacy?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.