Most common 2005 Subaru WRX problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru WRX complaints by model year
Best WRX years: 2010, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009, 2024. Compare all years →
2005 Subaru WRX recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,…
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.
What 2005 Subaru WRX owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
2005 sti, 42,000 miles..... Cold mn weather caused my fuel system under the hood leak gas all over. Inside of car smelt of gas very very bad. Popped the hood, even stronger gas smell, located fuel leaks under the intake manifold drivers side. Towed it to nearest Subaru dealer do to fear of fire. Not covered under the 2 warranties I purchased when I bought the car or under Subaru recall of 2003-2004 WRX/sti's for the same problem.....charges will be $600+...... Bought the car from a Subaru dealer here in mn, second owner, expensive low miles used car, just plain stupid Subaru does not fix this.....
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. Once stopped and idling, the odor returned. It is a very strong raw gasoline smell. Upon further research, I found that many other Subaru owners are experiencing the same exact issue. It turns out to be a faulty clamp and/or hose, which results in leaking gasoline out of the fuel line. This concerns me for numerous reasons, but the main reason is that it is leaking gasoline in the engine bay, which could result in a fire and ultimately injury/death. The smell it produces in the cabin is also something that concerns me, especially if children are in the car. This only happens when temperatures are very cold, probably below 20 or 25 degrees f. …
Suspension
Normal city and highway commuting. While traveling on the highway vehicle had a violent drop in speed , and a metal clanking noise. Was heard. The engine died, as a result lost power steering. I managed to safely bring the car to a stop. It was as able to drive it despite the engine shutting off frequently to the dealer. They reported to me that the turbocharger failed, and I had 4 twisted axles, half-shafts replaced. They had to place a call to Subaru to see about covering the failure. I heard nothing, but after calling they said Subaru would not cover the failure, but would not say why. I went in later and requested a written statement that they refused to cover it and why. It was then I found out that it was due to alleged abuse. The proof of this was the presence of club stickers and aftermarket parts which had no bearing on the defective parts. …
After investigating a small leak it was discovered that my front sway bar mount connected to my lower control arm( recall number "wvx-34 lower control arm) mount had snapped and separated. This could have cause serious injury to myself, family and others driving around me at the time is snapped. Subaru confirms that the lower control arm has a corrosion issue but refuses to cover this problem due to the location of the breakage.
Engine & cooling
Normal city and highway commuting. While traveling on the highway vehicle had a violent drop in speed , and a metal clanking noise. Was heard. The engine died, as a result lost power steering. I managed to safely bring the car to a stop. It was as able to drive it despite the engine shutting off frequently to the dealer. They reported to me that the turbocharger failed, and I had 4 twisted axles, half-shafts replaced. They had to place a call to Subaru to see about covering the failure. I heard nothing, but after calling they said Subaru would not cover the failure, but would not say why. I went in later and requested a written statement that they refused to cover it and why. It was then I found out that it was due to alleged abuse. The proof of this was the presence of club stickers and aftermarket parts which had no bearing on the defective parts. …
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. Once stopped and idling, the odor returned. It is a very strong raw gasoline smell. Upon further research, I found that many other Subaru owners are experiencing the same exact issue. It turns out to be a faulty clamp and/or hose, which results in leaking gasoline out of the fuel line. This concerns me for numerous reasons, but the main reason is that it is leaking gasoline in the engine bay, which could result in a fire and ultimately injury/death. The smell it produces in the cabin is also something that concerns me, especially if children are in the car. This only happens when temperatures are very cold, probably below 20 or 25 degrees f. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Subaru WRX a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 WRX rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the WRX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Subaru WRX?
The fuel & propulsion system — 12 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the suspension (4) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru WRX have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2005 Subaru WRX, the most recent from February 13, 2023 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru WRX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009 and 2024. See the full Subaru WRX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Subaru WRX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.