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Model Year Problem Record

Subaru Outback 2005 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2005 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

272Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
9Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
26Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags37 complaints

37 complaints; 6 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V274000, 14V763000, 15V323000, 20V001000, 20V002000, 20V003000.

Brakes32 complaints

32 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V110000, 14V311000.

Lighting30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System28 complaints

28 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 19V297000.

Engine27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V274000Reported June 9, 2004 - 1,987 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 9, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 1,987 vehicles across all affected models.

13V110000Reported March 27, 2013 - 274,402 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 27, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 274,402 vehicles across all affected models.

14V311000Reported June 10, 2014 - 461,338 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on June 10, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 461,338 vehicles across all affected models.

14V763000Reported December 1, 2014 - 4,175 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on December 1, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 4,175 vehicles across all affected models.

15V323000Reported May 28, 2015 - 432,016 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 28, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 432,016 vehicles across all affected models.

19V297000Reported April 11, 2019 - 511 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 11, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 511 vehicles across all affected models.

20V001000Reported January 2, 2020 - 258,813 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 258,813 vehicles across all affected models.

20V002000Reported January 2, 2020 - 127,547 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 127,547 vehicles across all affected models.

20V003000Reported January 2, 2020 - 111,562 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 111,562 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20044
200518
200616
20075
200816
200915
201021
201121
201219
201319
201417
201513
201629
201714
20189
201914
20207
20215
20224
20233
20251
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.