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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2005 Subaru OutbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 273 owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Outback. Most complaints involve suspension (56) and vehicle speed control (40). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
273
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
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 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 (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 (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 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

273 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2004 – Mar 2026
  1. Suspension56
  2. Vehicle speed control40
  3. Air bags38
  4. Exterior lighting30
  5. Electrical system28
  6. Service brakes22
  7. Power train17
  8. Engine and engine cooling16
  9. Fuel/propulsion system13

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 Outback model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005273
2006281
2007130
2008230
2009112
2010360
2011653
2012295
2013297
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017921
2018816
20191,036
2020905
2021299
2022465
202389
20242
202583
202621
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

56 reports1 crash
“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 the entire front end suspension all components replaced at a cost of over $2,500 USD the suspension was also causing what others refer to as "drifting" under any road driving conditions on dry or wet pavement at any speed above 30mph and would and still does after having the entire suspension replaced, drift, unstable, and when the original suspension was replaced even after being flawlessly maintained the suspension components from the factory were severely worn and including rubber gaskets, sway bars, etc and appeared to have a rust or corroded appearance in spite of the vehicle never being driven in weather during snow when most areas would place salt on roads which is a primary cause of rust or corrosion. The factory suspension also caused significant wear to any tires this causing any tires to wear uneven and require replacement within less than 15kmi. After…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2023SuspensionODI 11511298

Vehicle speed control

40 reports6 crashes1 fire
“P2138 code. Gas pedal stops responding to inputs. Car goes into limp mode and managed to get car off the road. Shut off and waited 5 minutes, restarted and it works again. Associated P0500 code also present. First time this has happened on this car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11724365

Air bags

38 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact had received several recall notifications of an air bag recall for a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact never owned the vehicle and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the removal request could not be processed without the complete VIN. The contact had provided a partial VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Air bagsODI 11711440
All 2005 Outback problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-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 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Outback Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Outback AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$4,000444
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$4,000444
Outback Wagon AWD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
Outback Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outback AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Outback Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 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 Outback as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 1529
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 Outback questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Outback have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 Outback problems?

Owners filed 273 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (56), vehicle speed control (40), air bags (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Subaru Outback get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Subaru Outback at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026