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Subaru WRXModel year report

2005 Subaru WRX Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
48,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2005 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is fuel system, with 12 complaints (63% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and engine (2). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 59% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,000 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 158 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “When I started my car the other morning (~14 degrees f) I smelled a strong fuel odor in the cabin. I opened the hood of the car and also smelled it there as well. I drove the car about 2 miles and the smell went away. Once stopped and idling, the odor returned. It is a very strong raw gasoline smell. Upon further research, I found that many other Subaru owners are experiencing the same exact issue. It turns out to be a faulty clamp and/or hose, which results in leaking gasoline out of the fuel line. …”

NHTSA complaint #10559034, filed 2014-01, 140,000 miles

Suspension: “After investigating a small leak it was discovered that my front sway bar mount connected to my lower control arm( recall number wvx-34 lower control arm) mount had snapped and separated. This could have cause serious injury to myself, family and others driving around me at the time is snapped. Subaru confirms that the lower control arm has a corrosion issue but refuses to cover this problem due to the location of the breakage.”

NHTSA complaint #10659591, filed 2014-11, 82,000 miles

Engine: “During cold weather, there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin. Rubber fuel lines on the passenger side leak, causing fuel to puddle on top of the engine block, creating an extreme fire hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #10671494, filed 2015-01, 151,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Normal city and highway commuting. While traveling on the highway vehicle had a violent drop in speed , and a metal clanking noise. Was heard. The engine died, as a result lost power steering. I managed to safely bring the car to a stop. It was as able to drive it despite the engine shutting off frequently to the dealer. They reported to me that the turbocharger failed, and I had 4 twisted axles, half-shafts replaced. They had to place a call to Subaru to see about covering the failure. I heard nothing, but after calling they said Subaru would not cover the failure, but would not say why. …”

NHTSA complaint #10191035, filed 2007-05, 48,800 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

59% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 95,000 miles.

0%0–1012%10–2547%25–506%50–7512%75–10012%100–15012%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 48,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200720082009201020112013201452015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Subaru WRX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 158 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 158 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru WRX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024141500522—Too new
20239—1522—Too new
20222519,800152256 · TypicalRising
202113—1521—Not enough data
2020189,6001521—Stable
20193027,2502—2133 · FewerFalling
20184314,5002—2164 · TypicalStable
20175336,0001—2149 · TypicalFalling
20163125,0003—2151 · TypicalFalling
20155231,2503—2165 · MoreFalling
2014634,00010———Not enough data
2013710,50011———Not enough data
20094171,32710——0 · FewerStable
20086580,0007——0 · FewerStable
20061466,8703———Not enough data
20051948,0004———Stable
20044269,9904——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20036023,8001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200242740,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2005 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Subaru WRX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 12 complaints (63% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.

Has the 2005 Subaru WRX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Subaru WRX reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,000 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 95,000 miles; 59% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.