2005 Subaru WRX Reliability ReportKeepScore 68/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid
Quick Facts · 2005 Subaru WRX
- Scores 7 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2006 Subaru WRX earns a 75.
- The system most likely to surface first: engine (ej205) (critical severity).
- Has 5 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module.
2005 Subaru WRX: Buy or Avoid?
The 2005 Subaru WRX is a high-performance icon, but it demands a knowledgeable owner and rigorous maintenance to avoid significant financial pitfalls. While exhilarating to drive, its common engine and transmission weaknesses, often exacerbated by modifications or aggressive driving, mean you must proceed with extreme caution and a substantial reserve fund. This is not a casual purchase; it's a commitment to an enthusiast machine.
Biggest Strengths
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system
- Engaging driving dynamics and performance potential
- Strong aftermarket support and enthusiast community
2005 Subaru WRX — Known Trouble Spots
The systems that break first on the 2005 Subaru WRX. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
Safety Recalls on the 2005 Subaru WRX
5 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
What breaks on the 2005 Subaru WRX?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
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Subaru WRX — Year-by-Year Comparison
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Subaru WRX. Click any year for its full report.
Competing 2005s Worth a Look
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 2005 Subaru WRX
Parts and accessories matched to your 2005 Subaru WRX
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Frequently Asked Questions
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