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2005 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →
93Owner complaints

Model-year median: 131

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
88
2002189
2003219
200493
200588
200672
200750
2008
Compare all Forester years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Suspension
21Vehicle Speed Control
17Fuel/propulsion System
14Fuel System, Gasoline
8Engine And Engine Cooling
7
All reported categories
Air Bags
5Power Train
5Service Brakes
4Structure
4Electrical System
3Engine
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Unknown Or Other
3Visibility
3Steering
2Wheels
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

82 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL INDICATORS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND EACH TIME, THE DEALER WOU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL INDICATORS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND EACH TIME, THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438999

72,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE PURCHASED A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN AUGUST 2008 AT 60,000 MILES. SINCE AUGUST 2008, WE HAD FOUR EPISODES OF ENGINE STALLING WITH CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FOUR TIMES TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST AND THIRD TOWING RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION COIL. THE SECON…

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WE PURCHASED A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN AUGUST 2008 AT 60,000 MILES. SINCE AUGUST 2008, WE HAD FOUR EPISODES OF ENGINE STALLING WITH CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FOUR TIMES TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST AND THIRD TOWING RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION COIL. THE SECOND TOWING RESULTED IN NO REPAIR SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. BEFORE THE FOURTH TOWING, WE JUST GOT ON A FREEWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER SO WE QUICKLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND MANAGED TO PARK FORESTER IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FORESTER NOW NEEDS AN ENGINE REBUILD SINCE LOWER ENGINE MAIN BEARING HAD FAILED, CAUSING RESIDUAL SCORING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER BLOCK AND BOTH CYLINDER HEADS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ASKED FOR $7000 IN REBUILDING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD 72000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN AND IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD WE BEEN DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT INSTEAD OF SLOWLY ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355241

980,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU FORRESTER IN FOR A RECALL FOR A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK. I WAS TOLD THE HEADGASKET LEAKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT! DURING THE REPAIR OF THE HEADGASKET I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP INFORMING ME I ALSO HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. …

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AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU FORRESTER IN FOR A RECALL FOR A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK. I WAS TOLD THE HEADGASKET LEAKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT! DURING THE REPAIR OF THE HEADGASKET I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP INFORMING ME I ALSO HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I NOTICED THAT SUBARU HAD A TON OF HEADGASKET RECALLS STARTING IN 1997. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL LACK OF QUALITY IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312916

95,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEADGASKET LEAKED. CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302263

82,491 miles · May 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

OUR COMPANY USES TEN SUBARU FORESTERS AS FLEET VEHICLES FOR UTILITY FIELD WORK. OF THE TEN VEHICLES FIVE ARE 2005 FORESTERS AND OUT OF THE FIVE, THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT THE COMPANY'S EXPENSE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2006 MODEL AND HAD ITS CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED AT NO COST DUE…

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OUR COMPANY USES TEN SUBARU FORESTERS AS FLEET VEHICLES FOR UTILITY FIELD WORK. OF THE TEN VEHICLES FIVE ARE 2005 FORESTERS AND OUT OF THE FIVE, THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT THE COMPANY'S EXPENSE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2006 MODEL AND HAD ITS CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED AT NO COST DUE TO WARRANTY. THE FOUR VEHICLE VIN NUMBERS AND MILES AT WHICH THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ARE: MILEAGE 94,742, MILEAGE AT 82,491, MILEAGE 90,732 AND MILEAGE 64,059(2006 WARRANTY). WE FIND THIS FAILURE RATE TO BE ABNORMALLY HIGH AND QUESTION THE PARTS FAILURE RATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267744

20,000 miles · Feb 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER, HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AT DWYER AND SONS SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN COMMERCE, MICHIGAN. DURING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, I'VE ALWAYS DISCUSSED WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD OR SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS "BANGING." OR …

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MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER, HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AT DWYER AND SONS SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN COMMERCE, MICHIGAN. DURING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, I'VE ALWAYS DISCUSSED WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD OR SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS "BANGING." OR RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THE RPM WOULD ALSO SEEM TO RUN LOWER THAN NORMAL. EVERY TIME I MADE THEM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NEVER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SO, EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN THEREAFTER, I TOLD THEM TO MAKE NOTE OF THE ISSUE AND THAT IT HASN'T GONE AWAY. AGAIN, THEY WOULD ROAD TEST THE CAR AND ALWAYS STATE THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW, THE VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WOULD REQUIRE AN ENTIRE ENGINE REBUILD ON A ENGINE THAT IS METICULOUSLY TAKEN CARE OF AND ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THIS REPAIR THEY WERE JUST ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IS GOING TO COST $5,900. THEY INDICATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD ONLY PAY $1,500 TOWARD THE REPAIR. I TOLD THEM I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY'VE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE AND I MADE THEM AWARE MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS ENGINE PROBLEM HAD PRE-EXISTED RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY, AND THEIR ARE POTENTIALLY OTHER SUBARU FORESTERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULD NOT BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ENGINE REPAIR AND FEEL SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALLOWING THIS VEHICLE TO BE SOLD AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OR, A NEW ENGINE ALL TOGETHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260237

5,000 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR HESITATES, SPUTTERS AND BUCKS WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. WHILE THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. IT NOW HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DEALER AT F…

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MY CAR HESITATES, SPUTTERS AND BUCKS WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. WHILE THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. IT NOW HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DEALER AT FIRST TOLD US MANY TIMES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WOULD GO AWAY WHEN THE CAR WARMED UP; THEY FAILED TO FIND THE DEFECT AT FIRST. NOW, AFTER FINDING THE CYLINDER MISFIRE PROBLEM THEY NOW CLAIM THE DEFECT ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT ONE; THE PROBLEM BEGAN EARLY IN 2005 SOON AFTER THE CAR WAS BOUGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223814

Official recalls

1

11V464000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Sep 6, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11011 · Front Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Apr 7, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front:control Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems

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