SubaruLegacy2005Overview/subaru/legacy/2005/base/

2005 Subaru Legacy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Legacy.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2005 Subaru Legacy is a passenger‑car model equipped with an automatic S4 transmission and a 4.2‑quart, 5W‑30 API‑specified engine oil system. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings sit at 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg, a notable figure for the segment. Owner‑reported data show 182 total complaints for the year, with the leading issue category being engine and engine cooling and nine recalls issued. In the broader complaint history spanning 1990‑2025, the 2005 model falls well below the 1995 peak of 216 complaints but remains above the 2025 low of six, indicating a mid‑range reliability standing.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3197 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Legacy of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2005 2.5GT Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec14.10 sec250 hpAWD
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.20 sec250 hpAWD
20052.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.40 sec14.90 sec250 hpAWD
20062.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec14.00 sec250 hpAWD
20062.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec14.00 sec250 hpAWD
20072.5GT spec.B 2.5L Turbo F-46.20 sec14.50 sec243 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0-9.0

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.1 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.50-5.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash0.0079-0.0080 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.0138 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Torque to Knuckle58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.39 in / 0.71 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.39 in / 0.71 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.335 in / 0.63 in / 0.87 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1, 225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
7All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
8All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
536 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Subaru Legacy experienced a notable surge in reported issues, recording 182 complaints and 261 TSBs. This represents a sharp increase over the 2004 model, which had only 49 complaints and 193 TSBs, and remains significantly higher than the 87 complaints recorded for 2006. Within this segment of the federal record, 2005 serves as a peak for consumer complaints and technical service bulletins before numbers declined further in 2007. Primary complaint areas for 2005 include Engine & Engine Cooling with 25 reports, followed by Service Brakes and Air Bags with 16 reports each, though the data does not specify the root causes. Additionally, the year recorded 11 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints. Given the significant spike in complaints and TSBs relative to the surrounding years, 2005 is not a recommended year to buy.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
261
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
182
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling25
Service Brakes16
Air Bags16
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Fuel System, Gasoline10
Vehicle Speed Control9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Power Train7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V003000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

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… 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…

20V002000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 261 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Legacy. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Legacy take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Legacy get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.