2005 Subaru Legacy Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Subaru Legacy, 4% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband noticed oil accumulating on the driveway. He looked and found the driver's front strut had leaked oil on the brake caliper, left front wheel, left front axle rubber boot and the driveway. The dealer has ordered parts to replace the strut. They say the brakes and axle protective boot are unaffected by the oil. I don't know if they will let me keep the strut since the car is new and under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10149567, filed 2006-02, 3,350 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“2005 Subaru Legacy with 202,000 miles had a failure of the right lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. The car had a current safety inspection for pa where it was being driven at the time of the failure. The failure caused loss of control of the vehicle and it skidded off the road to a stop. There is currently a NHTSA recall campaign ( number: 11v464000 ) for this very problem but not for this vehicle model. The lower control arm on the Legacy was not manufactured by fiji heavy industries USA, inc, according to Subaru and that is why it was not part of this recall campaign. …”
NHTSA complaint #10766461, filed 2015-09, 202,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the passenger side lower control arm fractured. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10766448, filed 2015-09, 202,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11016213Mar 24, 2025Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on certain 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles…
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% |
| 2010 | 7 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 11% |
| 2001 | 6 | 8% |
| 2000 | 13 | 14% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 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 30, 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