As I was driving this morning started smelling strong raw fuel odor.
The worst 2005 Subaru WRX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system12
- Engine4
- Suspension4
- Transmission2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Subaru WRX
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V076000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Recall number 20V001000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Recall number 20V002000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Recall number 20V003000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Subaru WRX 166
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration
- This announcement provides information on the connected services platform for Subaru EVs.
- This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES)...
- This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but...
- This announcement provides information on DCM replacememts due to a parasitic draw.
- This announcement provides information on an outage affecting the Subaru Select Monitor 5 application.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the availability of ThreeBond 1216J (SOA868V9640) designed for...
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a...
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
What 2005 Subaru WRX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. Not covered under the 2 warranties I purchased when I bought the car or under subaru recall of 2003-2004 wrx/sti's for the same problem.....charges will be $600+...... Bought the car from a subaru dealer here in mn, second owner, expensive low miles used car, just plain stupid subaru does not fix this.....
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.
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. Subaru confirms that the lower control arm has a corrosion issue but refuses to cover this problem due to the location of the breakage.
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.
On cold days, the car smells like gas - many reports online about fuel leaks in cold weather for subaru.
Strong raw fuel smell in cabin when starting in temps <30 degrees. Fuel is clearly visible leaking from lines below manifold.
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 the main reason is that it is leaking gasoline in the engine bay, which could result in a fire and ultimately injury/death. The smell it produces in the cabin is also something that concerns me, especially if children are in the car. This only happens when temperatures are very cold, probably below 20 or 25 degrees f. Please look into this issue and you will find many are experiencing the same thing with their vehicles. Thanks
When started, temperatures under 20 degrees (f), vehicle will emit a strong gasoline odor under hood and will come in through heater vents. Dealer says they know of the problem, but no current recalls. The previous model years had a recall for the same exact problem. Subaru of america claims the model year I have has an update, but after researching this problem online and with subaru dealers, there is still a known problem. There is a rubber fuel line under the intake manifold that is the culprit. My dealer claims "they all do this when it's cold." I am not satisfied with this answer and subaru of america has been no help either. They claim it is up the ntsb to issue a recall.
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.
Compare the 2005 Subaru WRX
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Questions about the 2005 Subaru WRX
Is the 2005 Subaru WRX reliable?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2005 Subaru WRX, fewer than a typical WRX model year.
What is the 2005 Subaru WRX year score?
The 2005 Subaru WRX scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru WRX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Subaru WRX?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 12 complaints, typically around 59,900 miles. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru WRX have?
4 recalls, covering air bags.
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