2005 Subaru Outback
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 276 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 360 |
| 2011 | 651 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 296 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 509 |
| 2016 | 642 |
| 2017 | 917 |
| 2018 | 807 |
| 2019 | 1032 |
| 2020 | 896 |
| 2021 | 296 |
| 2022 | 461 |
| 2023 | 88 |
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2026 | 13 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
21% of complaints: suspension — 56 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.
CRASH15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CAR RANDOMLY GOES LIMP WHILE DRIVING, ACCELERATOR WILL NOT RESPOND. HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND EEK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, PULLING A P2138 CODE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171205
14% of complaints: air bags — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON JULY 13, 2005 I TOTALED MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK BY ROLLING IT ABOUT THREE TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED-NOT EVEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLL OVER. *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20051102
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171124
12% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON DECEMBER 18, 2014 THE DAY WAS CLEAR; THERE HAD BEEN NO RAIN OR SNOW THAT WEEK. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140403
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250822
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Vehicle brakes failed while driving, the brake pedal went to the floor and almost caused a serious car accident. Yes, vehicle and brake lines are available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231027
11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and high/low beam dimmer switch.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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 CONDU
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. .
Campaign 04V274000 — check if this car was fixed
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, Illino
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 obse
Campaign 13V110000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V763000 — check if this car was fixed
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 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.
Campaign 19V297000 — 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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (56 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V274000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V110000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V763000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Subaru Outback reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Outback have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.