This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Subaru Legacy engine problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 30 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 14 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 30.
Owners have filed 30 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two primary issues with 2005 Legacy engines: turbocharger failures and engine stuttering/hesitation.
Turbo failures occur at various mileages (32k to 74k miles reported) with loss of power, loud noises (whining, clanging, clunking), and sudden shutdown on highway driving. Multiple owners report the banjo bolt oil screen clogging, starving the turbo of oil and causing catastrophic failure. One owner experienced three turbo failures within two months; another had a replacement turbo fail the same day due to a loose nut, then again two weeks later. Failed turbos scatter metal through the oil system, damaging engines. Owners cite Subaru Technical Service Bulletin #02-103-07 addressing this issue, yet dealers often deny warranty coverage, claiming the sludge buildup is owner-caused maintenance neglect, despite the owner's manual containing no instructions for cleaning or inspecting the banjo bolt filter. Repair costs range from $900–$4,800 depending on scope. One owner reported the vehicle catching fire after turbo failure.
Engine stuttering and hesitation occurs during acceleration, particularly between 2,000–3,000 RPM, and worsens in cold, rainy weather or when driving uphill. Multiple owners report this from delivery. Some received partial improvement after ECU reflash updates, but the problem persists or returns. Dealers initially dismiss it as "turbo lag" or normal behavior, though owners detect safety risks during highway passing or emergency maneuvers.
Same Subaru Legacy engine reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure due to banjo bolt oil screen clogging
The banjo bolt oil feed line to the turbo contains a mesh screen that clogs with sludge, restricting oil flow. Oil starvation causes turbo self-destruction, sending metal shards into the engine and often requiring full engine replacement. Multiple successive failures documented.
When: 32,000 to 74,000 miles; some failures occur within weeks of turbo replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power on highway; Whining, squealing, rattle, then clanging noise from engine; Engine shutdown without warning; Check engine light (sometimes delayed or absent); Excessive metallic noise from engine; Thick smoke from exhaust
Codes mentioned: P011 (timing issue / turbo banjo clogged)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replacement $900–$2,000; engine replacement $4,800 (parts $3,000, labor $1,800) if metal damage from failed turbo contaminates oil system. Oil change required after any turbo work but sometimes missed by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Technical Service Bulletin #02-103-07 addresses oil starvation issue. Warranty denial citing owner maintenance failure (sludge buildup), despite no banjo bolt cleaning procedure in owner's manual. Service bulletin issued to dealerships only, not owners. Extended warranty programs sometimes refuse coverage if owner changed oil independently.
Engine stuttering and hesitation during acceleration
Consistent stumbling, hesitation, or stumbling at partial throttle, primarily between 2,000–3,000 RPM. Occurs from delivery on early 2005 production (2004 build date). Worsens in cold, wet, or hot weather and during uphill driving. Some owners report it as 'turbo surge' or dangerous loss of power during highway passing.
When: From delivery; mileage varies but documented on vehicles with 60k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stutter/stumble/hesitation at 2,000–3,000 RPM; Worse in cold, rainy, or hot weather; Worse during uphill acceleration; Loss of acceleration response; Can occur multiple times per drive
Codes mentioned: No check engine light in many cases; when present, generic misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: ECU reflash/logic upgrade available from Subaru of America. Provides partial or temporary improvement only; problem often returns after several days or weeks. No permanent fix documented. Some dealers refuse to apply reflash without active check engine light, despite owner reports of improvement without one.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America denies global problem despite multiple owner complaints. Offers ECU reflash only when check engine light present. No official recall or TSB issued for stuttering. One owner received $6,000 credit toward new vehicle purchase after six months of complaints.
Engine failure with sudden loss of power
Engine suddenly stops mid-drive with drastic or complete loss of power, sometimes accompanied by warning lights that cycle (check engine, cruise control, ABS), but vehicle may restart momentarily. Occurs at highway speeds (35–70 MPH) without warning.
When: Mileage varies; one reported at ~63,000 miles on steady-state highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Engine shutdown without warning or gradual degradation; Check engine light and cruise control light flashing; Vehicle may restart but stop again intermittently; No prior warning noise or symptoms
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illumination (specific codes not always documented by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replacement reported in at least one case. Full engine replacement required if turbo damage is severe.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty refused in one case citing owner's independent oil change, despite use of full synthetic oil and mileage within stated service intervals.
Power steering failure during acceleration or turns
Power steering fails during turns with acceleration or even light maneuvers such as parking lot backing. Dealers initially find no fault, but when demonstrating the issue, find the same problem in other like vehicles on lot. Dealers claim it is normal turbo engine behavior.
When: From early ownership; one reported within weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering during turns with acceleration; Loss of power steering during low-speed maneuvers (parking, gentle turns); Hazardous: narrowly avoided collisions reported
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suggested vehicle replacement without turbo as workaround. No technical repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim normal turbo/AWD interaction. Offered to replace vehicle or swap to non-turbo model. No TSB or recall issued.
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire under the car after turbo failure and loss of power on freeway. Fire completely destroyed vehicle.
When: Following turbo-related loss of power
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering; Loss of acceleration; Loud clunking in engine bay; All gauges stopped working; ABS, sport shift, and e-brake lights illuminated; Fire underneath vehicle within minutes of shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; fire department unable to identify cause.
Excessive oil consumption
One 2005 Impreza WRX STI owner reported abnormally high oil loss (~2 quarts per 1,000 miles) from delivery. Multiple dealership visits and two oil consumption tests confirmed abnormal rate, but source could not be located.
When: From delivery at 37 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid oil loss
Repairs/costs cited: No repair found despite seven dealership visits and oil consumption testing.
Rough idle and misfire after heavy rain
Engine stutters or misfires immediately after heavy rainstorms. Clearing ECU codes temporarily resolves the issue, but problem returns with next rainstorm.
When: Recurring after rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Stutter/misfire during starting and initial running; Symptoms clear after disconnecting battery for ~10 minutes
Codes mentioned: ECU codes cleared at dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Problem clears with battery reset and ECU code clearing, but recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer clears codes multiple times; no permanent fix offered.
Acrid sulfur smell during hard acceleration
Strong, acrid sulfur smell fills cabin when accelerating hard, particularly on highway. Owner reports car was sold as 'new' but had been sales manager's vehicle since August 2004.
When: Early ownership; vehicle had previous use
Symptoms owners cite: Acrid sulfur smell during acceleration
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The turbo in my 2005 Subaru legacy gt split in half when I was driving home from work. It made a squealing noise, with no warning lights prior to the turbo going, however exactly when it happened the check engine light came on with the cruise light blinking. I was told by a certified Subaru technician that the turbos in these cars do not just split in half and rarely have problems. However, I was…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 74,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 74,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.