NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 75 owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve suspension (17) and air bags (12). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 26 |
| 1997 | 34 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 296 |
| 2003 | 64 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2007 | 68 |
| 2008 | 209 |
| 2009 | 113 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 251 |
| 2014 | 109 |
| 2015 | 79 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“The dealership is refusing to fix my car free of charge on a recall they confirmed would be able to do and now they are refusing to do it due to price and have made me wait two months for this to be the answer while also not giving me any sort of pay for the inconvenience of waiting for so long, while also having already ordering the parts and they have decided to decline my recall repair”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARK MILLER SUBARU MIDTOWN AT (801) 268-3734 (3535 STATE ST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115) WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. SOON AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.”
“TEMPORARILY EXPERIENCE SOME FUEL SEEPAGE AT ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE/HOSE DURING COLD ENGINE START UP IN EXTREMELY COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES. VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL. THE SAME ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN SUBARU CAMPAIGN/RECALL WVK-21 ISSUED FOR 2002-2003 MODEL YEAR SUBARU IMPREZA VEHICLES. SERVICE BULLETIN 01-170-09 HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/ACM12948229/RCSB-09V468-1307.PDF”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,600 | 386 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,600 | 386 |
| Impreza AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,750 | 404 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,750 | 404 |
| Impreza AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,750 | 444 |
| Impreza AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,750 | 444 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,750 | 444 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,750 | 444 |
| Impreza AWD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,200 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (17), air bags (12), fuel/propulsion system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Subaru Impreza at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).