2005 SUBARU LEGACY Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Legacy. This model year has 181 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2005 Subaru Legacy Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2005 Subaru Legacy?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Subaru Legacy. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 33 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 21 | 5 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 181 most recent complaints
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repa…
The vehicles brake lines have corroded and started to leak, resulting in the stopping distance increasing and the vehicle not being safe to drive. When getting the airbag recall performed at the Subaru dealership 3 years ago I mentioned the brake line recall. They stated they in…
I noticed a small puddle of fluid by the right rear wheel and immediately brought the vehicle over to Premier Subaru of Fremont, CA for an inspection. Premier Subaru diagnosed the problem as the right rear hard brake line failure and leak due to excessive corrosion. Premier Sub…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the hydraulic brake lines were leaking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that there was rust covering the subframe of the vehicle and fuel…
While driving, cruise control and check engine light comes on and then the car won't accelerate. Engine revs really high and when pushing accelerator pedal, car will not move. The check engine code states "throttle position sensor". This has happened more than 20 times
The rear brakes on the above referenced vehicle failed due to environmental corrosion. This is aligned with recall WQK47-2 which was open for the effected vehicle. The vehicle was transported to Suburban Subaru of Vernon CT for recall resolution. The dealership service department…
Car is a Subaru Legacy GT 2005 Brake lines were corroded and burst and almost caused major accident on highway. Subaru is not taking responsibility of the recall since the car is in Florida now. Originally it was in New Hampshire which was designated as a recall state I called…
A combination of high temperature and exposure to sunlight is causing dashboard to become sticky/melted. The center for auto Safety is calling on car makers and the federal govement to address melting dashboards. The melting plastic coupled with sun glare makes it difficult to…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph and approaching a red light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floor. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact checked the brake …
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the brake pedal would go all the way to the floorboard while depressed. The contact became aware that there was brake fluid leaking onto the floor from the brake line near the rear passenger’s side ti…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED AND DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN I…
DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON HWY 17 AT 60MPH 11/15/2020 ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT TO IDLE. THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I DRIFTED TO SAFETY OFF THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE STILL IDLING, THROTTLE UNRESPONSIVE. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, I RESTARTED THE CAR AN…
PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUE WITH BRAKES WAS NEVER FIXED CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN A LARGE LEAK IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LINE THAT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO ALMOST COMPLETELY GO OUT. PREVIOUS ISSUE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN 2014, WAS ONLY A STOPGAP MEASURE THAT DIDN'T PREVENT THE BRAKE…
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 …
I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT SOME ELEMENTS OF MY REAR HATCH ON MY SUBARU LEGACY WAGON WERE NOT WORKING. SPECIFICALLY, THE LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE THE LICENSE PLATE, THE REAR DEFROSTER, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, HATCH LOCKING MECHANISM, AND RADIO ANTENNA WERE NOT WORKING. AN INSPECTION OF THE…
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUBARU LEGACY AND WAS APPROACHING A TURN. WHILE BRAKING AT MAYBE 30% BRAKE FORCE I FELT A SLIGHT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. I KNEW RIGHT AWAY SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG AND TRIED TO LIGHTLY FEEL FOR BRAKE PRESSURE TO SEE IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO EMERGENCY STOP IF …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V297000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (LOCATED AT 10800 ATLANTIC B…
2005 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. *JS
THE DASH IS MELTING AND CREATING SUCH A GLARE AND A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IT OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVERS VIEW AND POSES A SAFETY RISK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND CONTAINED EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. DAY APOLLO SUBARU (5450 UNIVERSITY BLVD, MOON, PA 15108, (412) 264-9222) INSTALLED A COATING AND PERFORMED THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Subaru Legacy.
Recalls for 2005 Subaru Legacy
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2005 Subaru Legacy — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Subaru Legacy reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2005 Subaru Legacy has 181 NHTSA owner complaints, 11 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (33 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Legacy?▾
#1: Engine Problems (33 complaints). #2: Brake System (28 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Subaru Legacy?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2005 Subaru Legacy?▾
The 2005 Subaru Legacy has 11 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 181 total NHTSA complaints. 10 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2005 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?▾
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2005 Subaru Legacy. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 Subaru Legacy?▾
The 2005 Subaru Legacy has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2005 Subaru Legacy
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.