2005 Subaru WRX
Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2005
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2005: 19 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 427 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Only 19 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Fuel system, gasoline
7 of 19 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel pump.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-08
Also filed under Engine
Fuel/propulsion system
5 of 19 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Show complaint excerpts
When started, temperatures under 20 degrees (F), vehicle will emit a strong gasoline odor under hood and will come in through heater vents. Dealer says they know of the problem, but no current recalls.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-05
Suspension
4 of 19 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing rear and front.
Show complaint excerpts
There is a clunking noise at slow speed coming from the rear of the car. A lot of owner in the internet forums are having the same problem. This problem seemed to be the strut going bad after couple thousand miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-03-30
Power train
3 of 19 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Under normal city driving and highway commuting the transmission and clutch pedal stopped delivering power on the highway. I managed to safely get off the highway and had the car towed to dealership.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-05-17
Engine
2 of 19 total reports mention: engine.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
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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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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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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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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 WRX — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel system, gasoline: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
- 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 WRX reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru WRX?
- The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru WRX have?
- 5 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.