The 2005 Subaru WRX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 498,052 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS23V0760002023-02-13130 affected
Defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Consequence
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-23.
AIR BAGS20V0010002020-01-02258,813 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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…
AIR BAGS20V0030002020-01-02111,562 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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…
AIR BAGS20V0020002020-01-02127,547 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints24
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“As I was driving this morning started smelling strong raw fuel odor. *tr”
“2005 sti, 42,000 miles..... Cold mn weather caused my fuel system under the hood leak gas all over. Inside of car smelt of gas very very bad. Popped the hood, even stronger gas smell, located fuel leaks under the intake manifold drivers side. Towed it to nearest subaru dealer do to fear of fire.…”
“During cold weather, there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin. Rubber fuel lines on the passenger side leak, causing fuel to puddle on top of the engine block, creating an extreme fire hazard. *tr”
“During cold weather, there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin. Rubber fuel lines on the passenger side leak, causing fuel to puddle on top of the engine block, creating an extreme fire hazard. *tr”
“After investigating a small leak it was discovered that my front sway bar mount connected to my lower control arm( recall number "wvx-34 lower control arm) mount had snapped and separated. This could have cause serious injury to myself, family and others driving around me at the time is snapped.…”
“On cold days, the car smells like gas - many reports online about fuel leaks in cold weather for subaru. *tr”
“Strong raw fuel smell in cabin when starting in temps <30 degrees. Fuel is clearly visible leaking from lines below manifold. *tr”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Subaru WRX as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.