Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2005 Subaru WRX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2005 Subaru WRX has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V076000 Incorrectly Installed Replacement Air Bag Inflator NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V001000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V003000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V002000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E060000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 6 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
- Suspension 4 complaints
- Engine 2 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 2 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2005 Subaru WRX is generally reliable but plagued by airbag recalls and numerous fuel-related complaints. While major issues are not prevalent aside from mentioned components, attention to these areas is advised. The WRX demonstrates moderate reliability with average upkeep costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| Suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
| Airbags | N/A | No reliable estimate | very common |
| Power train | 90,000–120,000 miles | $700–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement around 100,000 miles
- Transmission service every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fuel odor or leaks
- Unusual suspension noises
- Check engine light for fuel system
- Sudden drop in fuel efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2005 Subaru WRX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.