The Lemon Index2005 Subaru Outback.
The 2005 Subaru Outback is worse than average by owner complaints: 59 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 141, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 19 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 273 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Outback year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 130K miles on the car (208 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 33K–109K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 36K–129K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 6K–95K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 9 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, c.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S.
- brakes 2014
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- brakes 2013
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- airbags 2004
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 253 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The headlight only illuminated 20 to 25 feet in front of the vehicle.
2005 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10101453
More owner reports
2005 Subaru Outback: when cruise control is engaged, acceleration becomes extremely irregular, especially after cresting a hill, engine pulsates as if gas flow to the engine is being interrupted irregularly, car bucks or pulses.
NHTSA complaint 10105810
Every time the cruise control is engaged while going downhill the throttle begins to rapidly and wildly accelerate and decelerate as if it is out of control. It stops when cruise control is disengaged. Very unnerving.
NHTSA complaint 10145153
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Subaru Outback reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 141; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2005 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (27%), speed control (14%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Outback have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Subaru Outback get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,900 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 208 complaints.
Does the 2005 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works