2005 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 7%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Subaru Legacy, 7% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 1 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.
“The turbocharger simply went at about 132000 miles. From what I read online regarding the failed Legacy turbo,the turbo could have been saved if the union ( banjo) bolt with filter was changed. Subaru does not notify the consumer regarding this potential problem; that is irresponsible. It cost me $2300 to replace the turbo...I made sure that the union bolt was replaced as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10661334, filed 2014-11, 132,000 miles“For the second time my check engine light has come on and my car has gone into a fail safe mode while driving (eliminating the ability to accelerate). The code the computer provides is p2138, which refers to the throttle position sensors (there are two) not being in agreement. I took the car to white bear lake Subaru in white bear lake, mn to have this issue resolved. They did not replicate the check engine light and therefore would not perform any service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489252, filed 2012-12, 93,000 miles“When I engage the clutch in the morning, the transmission makes a whine sound. It goes away after two to three minutes of driving the car. I replaced all the components of the clutch two years age and drive he car gently. I read online and read that people with cars such as the impreza wrx and my model suffer from the same thing. Since the transmission on my car and the wrx are the same and their cars were under 2,500 miles it makes me think that there is an issue with the throwout bearing.”
NHTSA complaint #10536574, filed 2013-08, 124,000 miles“I have 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, base model. First the rattling noise by the driver side dash board and the cruise control failed, which it is already on recall status (cruise control only). Now, the clutch is failing by engine cutting off in the middle of driving when the clutch is engaged-- I mean while driving over 60 miles. I consider it is life threatening situation where the car manufacture should look into it.”
NHTSA complaint #10241331, filed 2008-09, 84,000 miles“The letter I sent to Subaru of america (edited): I am the owner of a 2005 Legacy gt. On august 5th, 2008 my family and I were headed to boise, idaho from bend, oregon. About an hour and a half from home I noticed that the engine was revving abnormally high to maintain speed. I called the shop back in bend (thomas sales and service) and they recommended that I have the car towed back to them. When we arrived back in bend the tech at the dealer inspected the car and determined that it was a turbo issue, as I had suspected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10238964, filed 2008-08, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10067835Jan 29, 2014This service information describes 2 corrections to the service manual diagnostic procedures for the dtcs listed above. The information is only applicable to vehicles equipped…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
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 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