NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Subaru WRX Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Subaru WRX has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Subaru WRX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Subaru WRX owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Subaru WRX, describing incidents dated October 20, 2005 to February 19, 2015.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 12 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Suspension 4 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #10689645 · Filed February 20, 2015
AS I WAS DRIVING THIS MORNING STARTED SMELLING STRONG RAW FUEL ODOR. *TR
ODI #10672009 · Filed January 12, 2015
2005 STI, 42,000 MILES..... COLD MN WEATHER CAUSED MY FUEL SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD LEAK GAS ALL OVER. INSIDE OF CAR SMELT OF GAS VERY VERY BAD. POPPED THE HOOD, EVEN STRONGER GAS SMELL, LOCATED FUEL LEAKS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DRIVERS SIDE. TOWED IT TO NEAREST SUBARU DEALER DO TO FEAR OF FIRE. NOT…
ODI #10671494 · Filed January 9, 2015
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. *TR

Read all 19 complaints

Incorrectly Installed Replacement Air Bag Inflator

NHTSA #23V076000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 13, 2023 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 130 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRF-23 · Owners notified March 15, 2023

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Safety consequence

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V001000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 258,813 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKA-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built November 5, 2002 – January 27, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V003000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 111,562 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKC-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built January 9, 2003 – January 21, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V002000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 127,547 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKB-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built January 9, 2003 – January 28, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E060000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2006 · AAI MOTORSPORTS USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 87,745 vehicles

Owners notified August 1, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Manufacturer remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AAI MOTORSPORTS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Subaru WRX. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

19 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Subaru WRX.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10689645

Incident: February 19, 2015 · Filed: February 20, 2015

AS I WAS DRIVING THIS MORNING STARTED SMELLING STRONG RAW FUEL ODOR. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10672009

Incident: January 9, 2015 · Filed: January 12, 2015

2005 STI, 42,000 MILES..... COLD MN WEATHER CAUSED MY FUEL SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD LEAK GAS ALL OVER. INSIDE OF CAR SMELT OF GAS VERY VERY BAD. POPPED THE HOOD, EVEN STRONGER GAS SMELL, LOCATED FUEL LEAKS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DRIVERS SIDE. TOWED IT TO NEAREST SUBARU DEALER DO TO FEAR OF FIRE. NOT COVERED UNDER THE 2 WARRANTIES I PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR OR UNDER SUBARU RECALL OF 2003-2004 WRX/STI'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.....CHARGES WILL BE $600+...... BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A SUBARU DEALER HERE IN MN, SECOND OWNER, EXPENSIVE LOW MILES USED CAR, JUST PLAIN STUPID SUBARU DOES NOT FIX THIS..... *TR

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10671494

Incident: December 23, 2014 · Filed: January 9, 2015

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. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10659591

Incident: November 10, 2014 · Filed: November 19, 2014

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. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10640973

Incident: December 1, 2009 · Filed: October 2, 2014

FUEL SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES <20 DEGREES F. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU WRX FOR A FUEL LEAK, BUT NOT FOR THE 2005. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. ONLINE SEARCH FINDS MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10567007

Incident: February 1, 2014 · Filed: March 4, 2014

ON COLD DAYS, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS - MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT FUEL LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER FOR SUBARU. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10562044

Incident: January 29, 2014 · Filed: January 29, 2014

STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN STARTING IN TEMPS <30 DEGREES. FUEL IS CLEARLY VISIBLE LEAKING FROM LINES BELOW MANIFOLD. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine

ODI #10559034

Incident: January 7, 2014 · Filed: January 8, 2014

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. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR NUMEROUS REASONS, BUT THE MAIN REASON IS THAT IT IS LEAKING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE BAY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND ULTIMATELY INJURY/DEATH. THE SMELL IT PRODUCES IN THE CABIN IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS ME, ESPECIALLY IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE VERY COLD, PROBABLY BELOW 20 OR 25 DEGREES F. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND YOU WILL FIND MANY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THANKS *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10491511

Incident: December 13, 2012 · Filed: January 5, 2013

WHEN STARTED, TEMPERATURES UNDER 20 DEGREES (F), VEHICLE WILL EMIT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR UNDER HOOD AND WILL COME IN THROUGH HEATER VENTS. DEALER SAYS THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NO CURRENT RECALLS. THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIMS THE MODEL YEAR I HAVE HAS AN UPDATE, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND WITH SUBARU DEALERS, THERE IS STILL A KNOWN PROBLEM. THERE IS A RUBBER FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS THE CULPRIT. MY DEALER CLAIMS "THEY ALL DO THIS WHEN IT'S COLD." I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS ANSWER AND SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS BEEN NO HELP EITHER. THEY CLAIM IT IS UP THE NTSB TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10384820

Incident: January 15, 2011 · Filed: February 28, 2011

Other Subaru WRX model years

Check your 2005 Subaru WRX VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru WRX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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