2005 Subaru Outback Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 7% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is smell of gas in the cabin , this is a 2.5 turbo model which increases danger of fire.I noticed other subarus from different years and models having same problem and even being recalled, so I suspect this is the same or similar fuel leak problem.hope they recognize this and fix it!”
NHTSA complaint #11010300, filed 2017-07, 127,000 miles“I began to smell the odor of raw gasoline as the temperatures became consistently in the single to sub-zero range. I contacted Subaru of america and set up an appointment with my Subaru dealer for jan. 3rd. The dealer informed me that the fuel lines and clamps would need to be replaced at a cost of $500 (after an ~ $300 compensation). …”
NHTSA complaint #10558622, filed 2014-01, 116,400 miles“Please refer to code p2138 - throttle/pedal position sensor switch with d / e voltage correlation DTC severity 2 of 3 repair -- I believe elaine chao should be made aware of the safety issues affecting the general public regarding this dangerous issue -- my Subaru Outback accelerator will shut down on the highway almost every day. Subaru is aware that this is a pervasive problem affecting thousands of subarus and should be forced to issue a recall. I'll be going 75 MPH and then suddenly there will be no power and the car will coast to a stop in the middle of the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373843, filed 2020-11, 185,000 miles“As I was driving, I all of a sudden lost all power and control from the gas pedal. The car decelerated and I was only able to idle forward. The gas pedal became completely unresponsive. I turned the car off and restarted it. The check engine light is on and the cruise control light blinks but the car drives fine until the the problem happens again. There is no way to predict it. I'm glad it has not happened in the middle of an intersection or a more dangerous situation where decelerating that quickly was more dangerous. The car is in motion on city streets when this happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149701, filed 2018-11, 120,000 miles“I was attempting to accelerate from a stop light and my Outback acted as though I took my foot off the accelerator. The more I attempted to accelerate the less it responded. If the oncoming traffic hadn't noticed, they would have hit me. When I finally got it off the road and shut if off for awhile, it started but didn't run correctly. I called the Subaru dealer and they hauled it 90 miles to their shop. The replaced the foot pedal sensor and it worked ok until the last 2 weeks and it is acting like it did 2 years ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577238, filed 2014-04, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233105Dec 23, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10233104Dec 22, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10232543Jul 29, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10232540Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10234829Jan 15, 2014Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 32 | 3% |
| 2018 | 46 | 6% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 13 | 2% |
| 2015 | 18 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 16 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 7% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% |
| 2005 | 19 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 32 | 22% |
| 2001 | 32 | 19% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Outback
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsWheels
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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