2005 Subaru WRX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 21.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Engine: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10384820 · 2011-02-28 (February 28, 2011)
FUEL SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES <20 DEGREES F. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU WRX FOR A FUEL LEAK, BUT NOT FOR THE 2005. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. ONLINE SEARCH FINDS MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559034 · 2014-01-08 (January 8, 2014)
WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE OTHER MORNING (~14 DEGREES F) I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND ALSO SMELLED IT THERE AS WELL. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 2 MILES AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY. ONCE STOPPED AND IDLING, THE ODOR RETURNED. IT IS A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. IT TURNS OUT TO BE A FAULTY CLAMP AND/OR HOSE, WHICH RESULTS IN LEAKING GASOLINE OUT OF THE FUEL LINE. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR NUMEROUS REASONS, BUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191008 · 2007-05-17 (May 17, 2007)
UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING AND HIGHWAY COMMUTING THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH PEDAL STOPPED DELIVERING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER WORN CLUTCH UNDER WARRANTY DESPITE WEAR ITEMS COVERED UNDER THE 3 YEAR//36000 MILE COVERAGE. CAR WAS AROUND 20000 MILES. DEALER GAVE ME A FEELING THAT I WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE I WAS A YOUNG MAN WITH A SPORTY CAR, THEREFORE, I MUST RACE IT AND ABUSE IT. I HAVE OLD PARTS IN MY GARAGE. THEY DID, HOWEVER, COVER BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228254 · 2008-05-20 (May 20, 2008)
I OWN A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS AND RESISTS GOING INTO GEAR. THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH 5TH GEAR, ALL OF THE OTHER GEARS ARE SMOOTH AND RESPONSIVE. SINCE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2004 AND 2005 STIS. APPARENTLY, SUBARU OF AMERICA PUT AN INFERIOR SYNCHRO IN 5TH GEAR. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, AND 6TH ALL HAVE UPGRADED SYNCHROS. STARTING IN 2006, SUBARU BEGAN PUTTING THE UPGRADED SYNC…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191035 · 2007-05-17 (May 17, 2007)
NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY COMMUTING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAD A VIOLENT DROP IN SPEED , AND A METAL CLANKING NOISE. WAS HEARD. THE ENGINE DIED, AS A RESULT LOST POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO SAFELY BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. IT WAS AS ABLE TO DRIVE IT DESPITE THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF FREQUENTLY TO THE DEALER. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED, AND I HAD 4 TWISTED AXLES, HALF-SHAFTS REPLACED. THEY HAD TO PLACE A CALL TO SUBARU TO SEE ABOUT COVERING THE FAILURE. I HEARD NOTHING, BUT AFTER CALLING THEY SAID SUBARU …
Owner-reported narrative. 48,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191035 at NHTSA ↗