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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-SUBARU-IMPREZANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2005 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2005 Subaru Impreza has 4 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 75 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2005 Subaru Impreza has 75 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 16 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,153 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
4
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Impreza?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Subaru Impreza? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
suspension — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,153 mi · ~$900 to fix
airbags — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
fuel system — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,554 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
engine — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,527 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged
critical on this model
, showing up around 72,153 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Impreza· fuel system
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru impreza wrx. The contact was driving 25 mh when there was an overpowering gasoline odor emitting from the air vents. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The dealer tightened two hose feeder clamps that were connected…
Rear struts on my 2005 Subaru impreza have blown tree times since vehicle purchase in june 2005. Subaru has changed the pn# to an updated part number but refuse to replace again stating my vehicle mileage has surpassed their warranty limitation. This is known defect with many…
While my son was backing out of the driveway, his passenger side lower control arm snapped in 2. He struggled to get it even back into the driveway. I ran the VIN number and it does no show that this car has a recall that needs to be done. Does this mean it was already done?…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v323000 (air bags). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to mark miller Subaru midtown at (801) 268-3734 (3535 state st, salt lake city, ut 84115) where the front…
Had a problem with your 2005 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 TKB-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Subaru Impreza has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Subaru Impreza?
The 2005 Subaru Impreza is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Subaru Impreza?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,153 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Subaru Impreza a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 75 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 72,153 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,153 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,153 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Impreza has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 75 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Subaru/Impreza.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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