1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,097 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Subaru Outback miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2005 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 052020

Outback

  • 185,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Please refer to code P2138 - throttle/pedal position sensor switch with "D"/"E" voltage correlation dtc severity 2 of 3 repair -- I believe elaine chao should be made aware of the safety issues affecting the general public regarding this dangerous issue -- my Subaru Outback accelerator will shut down on the highway almost every day. Subaru is aware that this is a pervasive problem affecting thousands of Subaru and should be forced to issue a recall. I'll be going 75 mph and then suddenly there will be no power and the car will coast to a stop in the middle of the highway. This then shuts down everyone on I35 and I almost get hit from behind multiple times a week.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #7

Dec 192019

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
I purchased this 2005 Subaru Outback this past summer. I have driven it on the very same road I describe below, under dry conditions, with absolutely no issues whatsoever. On this particular night, the roads were just starting to build snow and freeze, but others were driving and passing with no issues. While traveling on this two lane road, with a speed limit of 70mph, my Subaru developed a sway in the back end. It felt like the Subaru was going to lose control and sway into on coming traffic. If I went over 30mph the sway began and I feared that the "sway" was going to send my car into the opposite lane of traffic and cause me to have a head on wreck. I didn't notice any other vehicles having any issues. During this trip, I had to drive no faster than 30mph on a two lane road with a 70mph speed limit. There were several cars behind me and several in the oncoming lane. I couldn't pull over and let traffic pass because there wasn't any turn outs and there was continuous oncoming traffic. I was forced to drive less than 30mph, for fear that I was going to have a head on collision, and had to straddle the rumble strip on the shoulder of the road. I was nearly forced off the road by a semi truck following me. This was an extremely scary situation. I have been driving on snow and ice covered roads for over 30 years and I have never had an experience as horrible as this. I feared for my life and the lives of my children riding in the car!!!! after getting past the ice and snow on this road, I drove on, going 70mph, and had no issues with the car at all. The "sway occurs" on icy/snow covered roads while going over 30mph. The "sway "only happens in the rear of the car. Please! please! please! this is an issue that needs to be addressed and fixed!!!

- Powell, WY, USA

problem #6

Sep 152019

Outback

  • 180,000 miles
On any wet or snowy pavement car is ghost walking, like the rear end has marbles under it. Speed of 35 mph, straight driving, on wet pavement. Like a cat walking on its nails.terrified. Had alignment, new tires, new rear struts, sway bar, transmission wiring harness. Disabled ABS so at least I control braking

- Kingsley, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 132017

Outback

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittently and without warning, the accelerator pedal will become unresponsive. On multiple occasions, the vehicle was in motion when this happened. The speedometer fell to 0, and when pressed, the accelerator pedal did nothing. The vehicle had to be limped to the side of the road and restarted in order for it to work again. The check engine light would then come on. On other occasions, the accelerator would not respond immediately upon starting the vehicle, and the check engine light came on immediately upon starting. This has the potential to be extremely dangerous or fatal if the car were to go limp when driving on a highway at high speeds, or taking a turn. Research has shown that this is a widespread problem with the Outback, and action needs to be taken by Subaru. This should be treated as a recall.

- Danvers, MA, USA

problem #4

Mar 052007

Outback

  • 27,779 miles
Bought car in 2006. Check engine light came on after having a couple of months. Under warranty replaced oxygen sensor, went out after a month; also headlight went out. Had senior replaced again, went out again after 1 month. Wasn't under warranty, the sensor was but not the labor. Single income couldn't afford to keep replacing. My check engine light had been on for 9 years, and I haven't been able to use my cruise control. My 1 St Subaru was a 1986; been driving one sense. Just thought you would like to know.

- Three Riversty, MI, USA

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problem #3

Feb 152016

Outback

  • 95,000 miles
Rear hatch does not lock.

- Suisun City, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 132011

Outback 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Car is not safe on packed snow or icy roads. All road feel is gone and it feels as if the car could spin out of control at any moment. Most other cars seem to pass without issue. For a AWD car this is unacceptable. You must slow down to 40 and below to have any hopes of keeping the car in a straight line. I have put nokia snow tires on the and car drives perfect in fresh snow but still cannot drive in slippery conditions. I have not noticed this on wet pavement. Subaru feels like an alignment will correct the problem. Going in for one in a week. If it does not fix the issue I will sell the car. I found many owners with the same issue on subaruoutback.org.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #1

Jan 172009

Outback

  • 37,000 miles
I have several times experienced what is known as ghost walking while driving my 2005 Subaru Outback 2.4I. I have driven under the same conditions with the car minimally loaded. Only on the times that the car was loaded with more than 2 passengers and their belongings did I experience ghost walk. On those times I was driving my Outback on snow or ice covered road. I was driving at a steady rate of speed with consistent pressure on the gas. The rear of the vehicle would begin to pitch back and forth as if being blown by a heavy wind. There was no wind on those occasions, or not sufficient to cause the to sway the way it did. It felt as though the rear of the vehicle was attempting to pass the front. I slowed down each time, even though the road surface conditions did not dictate it. I was passed by 2 wheel drive vehicles, because my car felt unstable and unsafe to drive. I have never experienced this while the car was lightly loaded under the same road conditions.

- Seattle, WA, USA

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