2005 Subaru Legacy Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 14%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Subaru Legacy, 14% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The wiring harness that goes to the hatch is made out of undersized wire and from opening and closing the hatch the wires have broken. I have reported this previously, but at that time, the only problem was that the hatch would not lock. Now I do not have backup lights. This is clearly a design defect. What do we need to do to get Subaru to fix this?”
NHTSA complaint #10748508, filed 2015-08, 110,000 miles“My tailgate will no longer lock or unlock. After a lot of reading online it seems that this is a very common problem. I took it to the dealer and was told that the rear gate harness is frayed and needs to be replaced. If any of the other wires in this harness fail I could potentially lose tail lights and license plate lights.”
NHTSA complaint #10622481, filed 2014-08, 95,000 miles“My car door power door locks stopped working, rear wiper stopped working, rear brake lights and running lights stopped working, also radio stopped working. Upon investigation I found that the wiring harness on both sides of my rear lift gate had torn and shorted out. This is a dangerous shortcoming on this car, the wires are so short and placed under constant tension that they rip themselves apart.”
NHTSA complaint #10511808, filed 2013-05, 96,002 miles“I am the owner of a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5gt. Last night, when I was trying to start the vehicle, it shut off in the middle of starting and the vehicle completely went dead. This morning, I noticed that there was a large and deep burn mark in the headliner surrounding the map light panel and that part of the map light as well as the auto-dimming mirror were melted.”
NHTSA complaint #10331753, filed 2010-05, 59,344 miles“I was driving on the highway, and the car seem to loose power, luckily I noticed it, as I was able to cost over to the side of the rode. I own a carmd, and attached it to my car, it gave me code p2138 which means the throttle position sensors (2 of them) not being in agreement. I think this is very dangerous as this can happen at any time while one is driving, potential leading to a accident or fatality.”
NHTSA complaint #10489561, filed 2012-12, 61,492 milesRelated recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2005–2014, Outback 2005–2014, WRX 2008–2014 +3 more
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 29% |
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 9% |
| 2021 | 5 | 16% |
| 2020 | 15 | 12% |
| 2019 | 35 | 28% |
| 2018 | 40 | 34% |
| 2017 | 30 | 25% |
| 2016 | 51 | 35% |
| 2015 | 37 | 23% |
| 2014 | 11 | 21% |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 9 | 14% |
| 2007 | 5 | 15% |
| 2006 | 17 | 20% |
| 2005 | 25 | 14% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 8% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 21 | 17% |
| 1995 | 20 | 11% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsAir bags
21 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 28, 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