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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-SUBARU-IMPREZA
2005 · Subaru

Subaru Impreza problems

1 safety recall. 75 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

suspension
16 reports · avg $900
critical
airbags
10 reports · avg $1,100
severe
fuel system
9 reports · avg $1,200
severe
engine
7 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
body
6 reports · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
5 reports · avg $450
severe
powertrain
4 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
3 reports · avg $700
moderate

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…
12/28/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10372675.0
2005 Impreza · suspension
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…
12/27/2006 · NHTSA ODI #10177082.0
2005 Impreza · suspension
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?…
12/24/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11291060.0
2005 Impreza · airbags
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…
12/20/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11055749.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 23V076000 13/02/2023

Subaru of America, Inc

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Subaru Impreza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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