2005 Subaru Outback: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 20V0020002 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 20V0030002 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 20V0010002 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 19V29700011 Apr 2019Electrical System / Ignition / Switch
• 15V32300028 May 2015Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 14V7630001 Dec 2014Air Bags
• 14V31100010 Jun 2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
• 13V11000027 Mar 2013Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
• 04V2740009 Jun 2004Air Bags / Side/Window

1. 20V002000Received 2 Jan 2020. 127,547 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number TKB-20. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jan 2020.

2. 20V003000Received 2 Jan 2020. 111,562 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number TKC-20. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jan 2020.

3. 20V001000Received 2 Jan 2020. 258,813 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number TKA-20. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jan 2020.

4. 19V297000Received 11 Apr 2019. 511 units.

   Electrical System / Ignition / Switch

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number WUF-91. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 May 2019.

5. 15V323000Received 28 May 2015. 432,016 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number WQR-53. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Jun 2015.

6. 14V763000Received 1 Dec 2014. 4,175 units.

   Air Bags

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number WQP-51. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jan 2015.

7. 14V311000Received 10 Jun 2014. 461,338 units.

   Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number WQK-47. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 23 Jul 2014.

8. 13V110000Received 27 Mar 2013. 274,402 units.

   Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.

   Report filed by Subaru of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number WQG-43. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 May 2013.

9. 04V274000Received 9 Jun 2004. 1,987 units.

   Air Bags / Side/Window

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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. During a side impact test conducted by the insurance institute for highway safety (iihs), the test results indicated that there was a difference between the iihs test results and the result of side impact tests conducted by fhi.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This may result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bag modules. The recall began on june 11, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. .

   Report filed by SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number WWR02. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Jun 2004.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2005 Subaru Outback
• All 2005 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 24.

Complaints that report a crash

13

Complaints that report a fire

3

Injuries in the complaints

11

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

9 May 2019

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19951
2. 19962
3. 19974
4. 19982
5. 19991
6. 20001
7. 20013
8. 20024
9. 200314
10. 200410
11. 20059
12. 20067
13. 20078
14. 20088
15. 200913
16. 201018
17. 201116
18. 201216
19. 201312
20. 201410
21. 20155
22. 20164
23. 20174
24. 20183
25. 20193
26. 20206
27. 20214
28. 20224
29. 20232

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Subaru Outback: all model years
• Subaru: 29 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 2005 Subaru OutbackThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2005 Subaru Outback?

1,672,351 units in 9 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Subaru Outback have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 71 recall campaigns for the Subaru Outback, model years 1995 to 2023. 9 of them name the 2005 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2005 Subaru Outback name most often?

Suspension: 53 of 318 component mentions, or 166.7 per 1,000. For all 2005 vehicles the figure is 42 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2005 Subaru Outback open?

1 investigation has no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 2 that name this model year.