2005 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 21%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 21% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving in light snow or mixture of slushy snow the vehicle rear drifts left and right at speeds of 20 MPH. Dangerous if the speed is exceeded. Car pass me all the time because they have not problems with the road at high speeds. I understand this is called ghost walking. The first time this happened I spun out.”
NHTSA complaint #11386523, filed 2021-01, 176,000 miles“Was driving on the highway on june 21, 2017 with a dishwasher in the trunk. It was raining and there was traffic, so my speed was about 40 MPH. As I was driving, the car abruptly swerved from right to left, and I almost hit another car. This was my scariest driving experience .”
NHTSA complaint #11001990, filed 2017-06, 197,600 miles“2005 Subaru Outback will not track straight in slippery conditions at all. The term 'ghost walking' is being used for this and is very accurate. I do not feel secure driving in any snowy conditions in this vehicle. I had a 1995 Subaru before this that was rock steady in snow, this car is very unpredictable. Tire changes do not solve problem nor does alignment to oem specs. Has been on going since I bought the car new.”
NHTSA complaint #10353314, filed 2010-09, 10,000 miles“I am a very experienced driver in snowy and icy conditions. My Outback 2005 2.5i started wiggling out of control (especially felt the back end wiggle left to right) on a straight road with approx 1/2 inch ice and packed snow causing me to slow down from approximately 40 MPH to 20 MPH . Other 2 wd vehicles passed us at much higher speeds with no apparent problem to keep straight. Our car had 2 adults and 2 small children in it with skiing gear. Changed our winter tires immediately after. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442804, filed 2012-01, 15,000 miles“Car is very unstable on snowy road surfaces and fishtails from side to side. Other vehicles on the road do not experience this problem. This incident has occurred many times during winter driving conditions. We have new snow tires and four wheel alignment yet the problem persists. Car instability is very dangerous and we are concerned for our safety. We have contacted the Subaru dealer and Subaru directly yet no one seems to know what the problem is.”
NHTSA complaint #10219723, filed 2008-02, 44,500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% |
| 2010 | 26 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 14 | 11% |
| 2006 | 37 | 13% |
| 2005 | 56 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 11% |
| 2000 | 24 | 12% |
| 1999 | 13 | 12% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Outback
40 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
19 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 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