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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Subaru LegacyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 184 owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (29) and electrical system (25). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
184
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

184 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2004 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine and engine cooling29
  2. Electrical system25
  3. Service brakes22
  4. Air bags21
  5. Vehicle speed control15
  6. Fuel/propulsion system15
  7. Exterior lighting13
  8. Power train13
  9. Fuel system, gasoline12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996129
1997143
1998116
199997
200094
200180
200258
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202132
202234
202310
202417
20256
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

29 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 NOT OFFERED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR AN INSPECTION. THE LAST TIME THEY OFFERED A $500 CREDIT TOWARDS A PROPOSED REPAIR THAT WAS ESTIMATED AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE CLOSEST INDEPENDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS HAD ANY SUCCESS IN GETTING SUBARU TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO ADDRESS IT, OR IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT I CAN JOIN TO GET SOME SATISFACTION. THANKS YOU. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10410492

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash3 fires
“THE CD PLAYER TURNS ON BY ITSELF WHEN RADIO IS ON. NOTHING SPECIFICALLY MAKES IT HAPPEN LIKE HITTING A BUMP OR ANYTHING IT DOES IT WHILE CAR IS STILL. CAR WAS TAKIN ON TO BE LOOKED AT BUT THEY SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ALSO, GEAR SHIFT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOCK IN PLACE. WHICH MAKES THE CAR NOT ABLE TO START AND/OR MOVE IF ON A SLIGHTLY HILL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2020Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11309383

Service brakes

22 reports
“While driving to work, my brake pedal went to the floor and I lost 90% of braking power. After managing to get the car back home, and topping up brake fluid, I noticed a puddle of it right in front of the passenger rear wheel. After doing research, found that this was a problem for this car, covered under recall WQK-47. Having bought this car used a few months ago, I checked and apparently this recall had been performed, but was obviously not successful in preventing the failure of my brakes. After researching the recall, found that there were 2 remedies depending on the inspection performed by the dealer when the car was brought in for the original recall work. According to the service records, the application of a protective rustproofing wax material was performed, which was supposed to prevent the deterioration of the brake lines. The other remedy for the recall was to replace the brake lines, which was not done on my vehicle. After this issue happened, I brought my vehicle to my Subaru dealer, and contacted Subaru of America to open a case. After a week and minimal communication or information from Subaru of America, I received a call stating they would not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2026Service brakesODI 11753193
All 2005 Legacy problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S4) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Legacy AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Legacy Wagon AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Legacy Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Legacy AWD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
Legacy AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
Legacy Wagon AWD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
Legacy Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy Wagon AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy Wagon AWD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Subaru Legacy as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1528
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Legacy questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Legacy have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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.

What are the most common 2005 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (29), electrical system (25), service brakes (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Subaru Legacy get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Subaru Legacy at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026