RoadVitals

2005 Subaru WRX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Feb 20, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Feb 13, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Subaru WRX, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and suspension categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 149 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system1254.5%
  • Engine418.2%
  • Suspension418.2%
  • Transmission29.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V076000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 13, 2023
130 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRF-23View on NHTSA.gov
20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
127,547 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
111,562 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-20View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
Fuel system
Filed Feb 20, 2015

AS I WAS DRIVING THIS MORNING STARTED SMELLING STRONG RAW FUEL ODOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10689645
Incident
Feb 19, 2015
Mileage
176,315 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 12, 2015

2005 STI, 42,000 MILES..... COLD MN WEATHER CAUSED MY FUEL SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD LEAK GAS ALL OVER. INSIDE OF CAR SMELT OF GAS VERY VERY BAD. POPPED THE HOOD, EVEN STRONGER GAS SMELL, LOCATED FUEL LEAKS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DRIVERS SIDE. TOWED IT TO NEAREST SUBARU DEALER DO TO FEAR OF FIRE. NOT COVERED UNDER THE 2 WARRANTIES I PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR OR UNDER SUBARU RECALL OF 2003-2004 WRX/STI'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.....CHARGES WILL BE $600+...... BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A SUBARU DEALER HERE IN MN, SECOND OWNER, EXPENSIVE LOW MILES USED CAR, JUST PLAIN STUPID SUBARU DOES NOT FIX THIS..... *TR

NHTSA ID
10672009
Incident
Jan 9, 2015
Mileage
42,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 9, 2015

DURING COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. RUBBER FUEL LINES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEAK, CAUSING FUEL TO PUDDLE ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, CREATING AN EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671494
Incident
Dec 23, 2014
Mileage
151,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 19, 2014

AFTER INVESTIGATING A SMALL LEAK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNT CONNECTED TO MY LOWER CONTROL ARM( RECALL NUMBER "WVX-34 LOWER CONTROL ARM) MOUNT HAD SNAPPED AND SEPARATED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF, FAMILY AND OTHERS DRIVING AROUND ME AT THE TIME IS SNAPPED. SUBARU CONFIRMS THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS A CORROSION ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO COVER THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE BREAKAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659591
Incident
Nov 10, 2014
Mileage
82,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2014

FUEL SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES <20 DEGREES F. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU WRX FOR A FUEL LEAK, BUT NOT FOR THE 2005. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. ONLINE SEARCH FINDS MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640973
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
48,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2014

ON COLD DAYS, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS - MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT FUEL LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER FOR SUBARU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567007
Incident
Feb 1, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2014

STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN STARTING IN TEMPS <30 DEGREES. FUEL IS CLEARLY VISIBLE LEAKING FROM LINES BELOW MANIFOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562044
Incident
Jan 29, 2014
Mileage
128,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 8, 2014

WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE OTHER MORNING (~14 DEGREES F) I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND ALSO SMELLED IT THERE AS WELL. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 2 MILES AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY. ONCE STOPPED AND IDLING, THE ODOR RETURNED. IT IS A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. IT TURNS OUT TO BE A FAULTY CLAMP AND/OR HOSE, WHICH RESULTS IN LEAKING GASOLINE OUT OF THE FUEL LINE. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR NUMEROUS REASONS, BUT THE MAIN REASON IS THAT IT IS LEAKING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE BAY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND ULTIMATELY INJURY/DEATH. THE SMELL IT PRODUCES IN THE CABIN IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS ME, ESPECIALLY IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE VERY COLD, PROBABLY BELOW 20 OR 25 DEGREES F. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND YOU WILL FIND MANY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10559034
Incident
Jan 7, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru WRX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025200—
2024130037.5
2023710—
2022251048.6
2021131035.5
2020171042.4
2019302047.7
2018422057.6
2017531052.1
2016313046.1
2015523044.0
20146100—
20137110—
20122120—
20114110—
20101120—
20094110044.8
2008657044.9
2007030—
2006144045.9
2005Viewing195041.8
2004425154.4
2003602563.0
20024272558.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.