This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Subaru Legacy wheels problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 5 wheels complaints filed for the 2005 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels 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.
SUBARU SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE IS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT ONE OR BOTH OF THE VEHICLE'S REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MAY, OVER TIME, DEVELOP A NOISE CONDITION THAT CAUSES THE BEARING TO PRODUCE A WHINNYING SOUND. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗STICK ON WHEEL WEIGHTS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Right front wheel broke. Cast wheel. Found tire and rim 30 feet ahead of vehicle after crash due to loss of control. Vehicle spun, entered culvert facing opposite direction and impacted tree causing it to roll twice. Vehicle totaled. Geice insurance has possession of vehicle but will leave intact for another 30 days. Have pictures, broken rim and part of spoke. We've purchased a Subaru…
Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $400.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 67,391 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.