2005 Subaru Forester: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Moved car 30' from gas pumps to air pump. Slowed to almost complete stop to move closer to air tank. Car accelerated at extremely high speed over curb, knocking over air pump. Car proceeded to smash through landscaping shrubs and hit a tree and nearby pole which stopped the car dead. Felt like a fighter plane pushed me. Entire incident probably lasted a minute. Air bags failed to deploy. Car was totaled. I suffered severe facial and othet bruising and have ongoing fatigue and am eadily winded.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2023
“A part of the front frame was recalled because of rusting and was breaking on 3-20-12 they put a rust proof on the part knowing it would only last a few years instead of replacing the parts. The part is broken and they say the recall was complete but really they only put a bandaid on a serous problem knowing it wouldn't last . They said they don't have to replace and fix the damage caused to my car Subaru gave me a case number 230206-1400191”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2023
“The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 183,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2022
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“The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at approximately 25 MPH, the front passenger's side subframe emitted an abnormally loud sound, and the front passenger's side tire detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road where he noticed that the front passenger's side lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it remained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2022
“I've experienced the leaking fuel line when temperatures dropped below 20 degrees and get terrible gas fumes inside the cabin especially during cold and damp weather. It is more prominent with the heat on. This smell/leak can be noticed while parked, driving, anytime with the engine running with fuel pressure.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“My car is burning up oil. I just did an oil change 400miles ago, and my car started making a knocking noise and driving real funny yesterday. I took the oil when I got home and there wasn't any this is the second time it's happened. There's no leak there's no oil in the water no oil coming out of the exhaust period what is going on”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru forester. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the lower control arm was damaged. The air conditioner unit produced condensation that caused the lower control arm to rust through along with road salt during the winter months. The damage was on both left and right side control arm. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) in 2012 as a one-time free repair. The contact requested to speak with an upper level manager which was still pending. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 66,709.*bf*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2020
“There is a severe gas line leak where the vehicle is very unsafe leaking gas by the engine spraying the side of the passenger compartment. While in motion.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2020
“There's a known undercarriage recall issue on the 2005 forester for which I never received notification. Upon discovery of the problem on my vehicle which included extensive corrosion on the lower control arm and the supporting frame (see photo). I contacted a nearby subaru dealer who informed me that most of the needed repairs were not covered under the recall. This situation put my family and me at great risk as we were driving the car around without knowing. We feel that subaru should have gone to greater lengths to make sure I got the notice regarding this structural defect. Subaru should cover this repair in full. I wanted to alert others to this dangerous situation.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2019
“This vehicle is only 14 years old and I've had it for 2 years. I had it taken to my family mechanic for minor issues and found out that the suspension is completely rusted out. If I had been hit by someone or had hit a large hole, he said the vehicle would have completely collapsed.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forester by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Subaru Forester. The most complained-about area is suspension (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Subaru Forester problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,115 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower arm. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.