MYRModel Year Report

2005 Subaru Legacy

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:32:52.589Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
184
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 184 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 184 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 184 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

2005: 184 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

While driving to work, my brake pedal went to the floor and I lost 90% of braking power. After managing to get the car back home, and topping up brake fluid, I noticed a puddle of it right in front of the passenger rear wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-28

Brake lines were definitely not replaced even though known to be defective and prone to corrosion and leaks. Almost got into a accident because the known recalled area let go on the…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-05-06

The vehicles brake lines have corroded and started to leak, resulting in the stopping distance increasing and the vehicle not being safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-12

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing engine and turbo/supercharger.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

14% · 25 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I had owned the car for not even a year yet back in 2012, and the only accident I've ever been in happened on my way to school(College). The air bag did not come out of the steering wheel, but should have.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-15

Also filed under Air bags

Air bags

12% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Veh. Was traveling at approx. 25MPH up a low incline on slushy paved 2 lane surface. Veh. Broke traction spun sideways and travelled sideways into brush and striking a tree in the driver. Side front fender (Side impact).

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-28

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy Outback. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, he attempted to avoid a crash and haphazardly traveled over an ice patch. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-11

Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle was hit on the front passenger side, near the bumper and wheel. The other vehicle impacted the vehicle at 40 MPH. The airbags did not deploy and the engine did not shut off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-01-24

Fuel/propulsion system

8% · 15 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-06-11Air bags04V274000 The left and right side curtain air bags in certain vehicles involved in this campaign may not fully deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. During a side impact test…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bag modules. The recall began on June 11, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. .

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 184 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2013-05-30Service brakes, hydraulic13V110000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. R
    2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-01-15Air bags14V763000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V274000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V110000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V763000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Subaru Legacy is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Legacy have?
9 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.