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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Structure complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
131,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrash

I HAD JUST LOCKED MY RESIDENCE GATE, LEAVING MY PROPERTY, I FASTENED MY SEATBELT, ADVANCED VERY SLOWLY, SAW THAT BOTH WAYS WERE CLEAR, ADVANCED SLOWLY MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN I WAS JUST 12 FEET, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND PROPELLED MY VEHICLE FORWARD INTO A HUGE TREE ACROSS THE ROAD. I DID NOT CONFUSE THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE …

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I HAD JUST LOCKED MY RESIDENCE GATE, LEAVING MY PROPERTY, I FASTENED MY SEATBELT, ADVANCED VERY SLOWLY, SAW THAT BOTH WAYS WERE CLEAR, ADVANCED SLOWLY MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN I WAS JUST 12 FEET, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND PROPELLED MY VEHICLE FORWARD INTO A HUGE TREE ACROSS THE ROAD. I DID NOT CONFUSE THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IMPEDING MY FOOT-WORK,I BRAKED THEN IT BEGAN RACING EVEN FASTER THEN I DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING MORE TILL AFTER-DARK AND A FIREMAN TOLD ME AN AMBULANCE WAS COMING. I HAVE A BROKEN CERVICAL VERTEBRA C 2 AND MULTIPLE BRUISES MY CAR WAS "TOTALED". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671208

41,600 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON JULY 28, 2014 I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT MY CONDO.THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE PASSENGER WITH ME LOOKED DOWN AND SAID THE GAS PEDAL LOOKED TO BE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, AND I AM STILL AWAITING FOR THE DAMAGE ESTIMATE FROM MY INSURANCE CO…

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ON JULY 28, 2014 I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT MY CONDO.THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE PASSENGER WITH ME LOOKED DOWN AND SAID THE GAS PEDAL LOOKED TO BE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, AND I AM STILL AWAITING FOR THE DAMAGE ESTIMATE FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617963

36,000 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE OF ROAD SALTS THAT WERE NO WASHED OFF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME BEGAN TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10536969

40,000 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Power TrainStructureCrashInjury

ON MARCH 20, 2006, THE SYMMETRICAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM OF MY 2005 SUBARU FORRESTER XT FAILED, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND DRIFTED, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER, AND SEVERE BODILY INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS SO FLIMSY, IT WAS DISGUSTING. EVERY DOOR AND WINDOW OPENING COLLAPSED, GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. THE CEILING COLLAPSED ON THE PASS…

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ON MARCH 20, 2006, THE SYMMETRICAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM OF MY 2005 SUBARU FORRESTER XT FAILED, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND DRIFTED, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER, AND SEVERE BODILY INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS SO FLIMSY, IT WAS DISGUSTING. EVERY DOOR AND WINDOW OPENING COLLAPSED, GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. THE CEILING COLLAPSED ON THE PASSENGERS' HEADS. THIS IS A DEATH CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153456

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.

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