2005 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 11%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,396miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Subaru Legacy, 11% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,396 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 6 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. Luckily I only experienced mild whip lash, and very large body shop bill. Also when they finally brought me in to get it replaced this past summer(2017) they pushed my car around the lot, and messed up my transmission amongst some other things. But when I asked the technicians about it, they got defensive, and denied any claim of wrong doing.”
NHTSA complaint #11054944, filed 2017-12, 102,789 miles“Takata recall,was talking to dealership,but lights still indicate airbag ,cruz control , check engine light came on.was taken to dealership for repair and reset.but I don't think it was done. Other recalls on break line coating's not done , I lost break lines while driving,at three different times.Subaru issued a second recall , with explicit attention to the area where the line connects to the break for rust.the dealer was to to replace any break lines showing damage in this area.this recall was taken in and again was not replaced . They coated maybe on top of the rust. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149797, filed 2018-11, 56,000 miles“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). Drivers head struck and broke drvrs. Door window. Drvr. Sustained several facial lacerations requiring plastic surgery and resulting in probable scarring. Front seat passenger sustained right leg injury resulting in severe bruising and swelling. Both were treated in an emergency room and released. Veh. Is equipped with side curtain airbags which did not deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679375, filed 2015-01, 178,000 miles“I called the Subaru dealer in newark, de (matt slap) to have the recall done on my car. I have called three times in over three months and they still haven't scheduled or called me back to have the recall done. I feel that 3+ months is plenty of time to get the parts needed to do the job but, their excuse is always we don't have the parts .”
NHTSA complaint #10865401, filed 2016-05“I rec'd notification that the front passenger air bag inflator needs to be replaced, but the parts aren't currently available. In the meantime, I was advised to not let a passenger sit in the front. That's a difficult advisory with which to comply. Can't the front passenger air bag inflator be de-activated for the time being? Has this possibility been considered? I've also written to Subaru about this situation. Thanks, joe”
NHTSA complaint #10836736, filed 2016-02Related recalls
- 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 15V323000May 28, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2008, Outback 2003–2008, Baja 2003–2004 +2 more
- 14V763000Dec 1, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2005, Outback 2003–2005, Baja 2003–2005
- 04V274000Jun 9, 2004The 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…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2005, Outback 2005
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10248223Dec 28, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10244915Oct 30, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10237234May 2, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10235277Apr 4, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10194843May 14, 2021Takata Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Replacement.
- 10171869Feb 4, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171076Jan 15, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171075Jan 6, 2020Takata Like for Like recalls- TKA20 (Zone A), TKB20 (Zone B), TKC20 (Zone C).
- 10140516Apr 12, 2016Recall Bulletin Revised. UPDATE ? April 2016: New and different inflators are available for affected 2004-2005 Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles. As a result, there are different…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 18% |
| 2023 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 6 | 19% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 6% |
| 2014 | 14 | 26% |
| 2013 | 14 | 21% |
| 2012 | 11 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 15% |
| 2010 | 28 | 19% |
| 2009 | 31 | 48% |
| 2008 | 25 | 38% |
| 2007 | 12 | 36% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 21 | 11% |
| 2004 | 26 | 53% |
| 2003 | 16 | 27% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 12% |
| 1998 | 11 | 10% |
| 1997 | 10 | 7% |
| 1996 | 22 | 18% |
| 1995 | 46 | 25% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 13% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology