2005 Subaru Impreza
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1993 | 33 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 46 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 292 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2007 | 68 |
| 2008 | 176 |
| 2009 | 103 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2012 | 242 |
| 2013 | 248 |
| 2014 | 108 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 125 |
| 2018 | 149 |
| 2019 | 191 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
15% of complaints: suspension — 11 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 20250124
WHILE TURNING TO BACK INTO DRIVEWAY CONTROL ARM BROKE. IT IS RUSTED
NHTSA ODI report, 20181026
15% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140829
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS).
NHTSA ODI report, 20171220
12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 9 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file.
FIRE7% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON OCTOBER 10, 2014 AT 6:13 AM I DROVE HOME FROM THE GYM. AS I APPROACHED MY HOUSE I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. I SLOWED DOWN AND APPLIED THE BRAKE BEFORE ENTERING THE GARAGE, BUT THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141119
SAFETY TIMELINE
Front suspension control arm failure
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGI
Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE W
Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015.
Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.
Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 23V076000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V076000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Impreza have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.