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
- 75
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 2005
Opened by NHTSA
23% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 75 complaints
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 | 46 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 251 |
| 2014 | 108 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 125 |
| 2018 | 152 |
| 2019 | 193 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Suspension
23% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing rear and springs.
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, 2025-01-24
While turning to back into driveway control arm broke. It is rusted
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-26
Air bags
16% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show 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, 2014-08-29
I was travailing 40-45 MPH on a 2 lane road in my 2005 Subaru wrx sti.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-27
Also filed under Power train and seat belts
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V323000 (Air bags).
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-20
Fuel/propulsion system
12% · 9 reportsFuel system, gasoline
11% · 8 reportsStructure
8% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing body.
Show 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, 2014-11-19
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2011-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Front suspension control arm failure
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R
2011-12-31Suspension11V464000 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…
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…
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I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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R
2015-06-17Air bags15V323000 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.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 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.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 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.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 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.
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R
2023-03-15Air bags23V076000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 9 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 11V464000 · Suspension
- Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
- Recall 23V076000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 23% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Impreza have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.