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 OutbackProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 273 owner complaints about the 2005 Subaru Outback, most often about the suspension. 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 March 14, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Sfoskett~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Subaru Outback has problems
273 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
56Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
40Vehicle speed control6 crash/fire/injury
38Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
30Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
28Electrical system
22Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
17Power train
16Engine and engine cooling
13Steering
8514 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 56 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 6 |
| Air bags | 38 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 1 |
| Power train | 17 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 2 |
| Steering | 13 | 2 |
| 14 other systems | 85 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2005 Subaru Outback 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 suspension problems start?
61kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 50 suspension complaints. 70% were reported before 100,000 miles.
11under 30k miles35under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Outback 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 Outback median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Subaru Outback safety ratings
2005 Subaru Outback 4-DR Wagon w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.9% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Subaru Outback, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What Outback owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
There should be a recall for front suspension on this vehicle if not the entire suspension. Mine has been garage kept since day 1, is in showroom condition, not driven in salt on roads during snow, therefore no reason for the suspension to be in this condition. In 2019 at 74,000 miles I had to have…
DRIVING IN LIGHT SNOW OR MIXTURE OF SLUSHY SNOW THE VEHICLE REAR DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. DANGEROUS IF THE SPEED IS EXCEEDED. CAR PASS ME ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT PROBLEMS WITH THE ROAD AT HIGH SPEEDS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS CALLED GHOST WALKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS…
ON ANY WET OR SNOWY PAVEMENT CAR IS GHOST WALKING, LIKE THE REAR END HAS MARBLES UNDER IT. SPEED OF 35 MPH, STRAIGHT DRIVING, ON WET PAVEMENT. LIKE A CAT WALKING ON ITS NAILS.TERRIFIED. HAD ALIGNMENT, NEW TIRES, NEW REAR STRUTS, SWAY BAR, TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS. DISABLED ABS SO AT LEAST I…
Own a 2005 Outback?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.