The 2005 Subaru Legacy has 10 recalls, the most serious being the front passenger airbag inflator, which can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover the same airbag inflator issue across several filing campaigns, but they all describe the same danger: the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can explode rather than deploy cleanly. There is also a concern with the side curtain airbags, which may not deploy quickly enough in a side impact to provide adequate head protection. On the brake side, brake lines can corrode and develop leaks, reducing brake fluid pressure and extending stopping distances; this recall applies specifically to vehicles registered or formerly registered in certain high-salt-use states in the northeastern and midwestern US. Separately, if the ignition switch has ever been replaced with a specific aftermarket-style part, an internal spring can break and cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, which also disables the airbags if a crash follows.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can seep into the passenger side front air bag inflator. Over time, this causes the inflator to rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Salt water can splash onto brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, causing excessive corrosion that may lead to brake fluid leakage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect brake lines. If no leakage is found, the area will be treated with anti-corrosion wax. If leakage is found, brake lines will be replaced and treated with anti-corrosion wax.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank protector design can allow the center and rear brake lines to corrode and develop holes. This causes brake fluid to leak, reducing braking power and extending stopping distances.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake lines and apply anti-corrosion coating or replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left and right side curtain airbags may not deploy quickly enough during a side impact collision.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left and right side curtain airbag modules.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbags may not have been built to the correct specifications and might not protect your head properly in a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your side curtain airbags with properly built ones.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
