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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

What owners actually said

93 reports
89,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
SuspensionWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGHWAY SPEED, A BURNING RUBBER ODOR EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUCKET SUSPENSION PLATE UNDER THE SHOCK ABSORBER F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGHWAY SPEED, A BURNING RUBBER ODOR EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUCKET SUSPENSION PLATE UNDER THE SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED, WHICH IMPACTED THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND CAUSED THE STRUT TO FRACTURE ON THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRUTS, SHOCK ASSEMBLIES, AND BOTH REAR TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928516

192,000 miles · Jan 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WITH GAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, NEXT TO THE TURBO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER GAS HOSE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HARD LINES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT SEEMS THE COLD CAUSES THE RUBBER T…

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DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WITH GAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, NEXT TO THE TURBO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER GAS HOSE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HARD LINES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT SEEMS THE COLD CAUSES THE RUBBER TO SHRINK. THIS MAKES THE HOSE CLAMPS NOT EFFECTIVE ENOUGH TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE LINES AND GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM THOSE CONNECTIONS (WHICH ARE PRESSURIZED). WITH RAW GAS POOLING NOT ONLY ON A HOT ENGINE BLOCK (CLOSE TO SEVERAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS) BUT ALSO NEXT TO A VERY HOT TURBO ON 2003-2005 FORESTER XT'S WHICH ARE FACTORY EQUIPPED, THIS SEEMS TO POSE A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10820631

1,400,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD DAYS IN CABIN, LEAKING FUEL

NHTSA ODI #10810423

80,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAD LODGED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAD LODGED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10764553

80,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Steering

LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE IN 2 EXACTLY AS PREDICTED BY THE RECALL NOTICE. SUBARU SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED, MEANING THEY SPREAD SOME RUST INHIBITOR ON IT AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST. THEIR FINAL RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS TOO 'OLD' TO OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 80K MILES AND NOTHING ELSE ON TH…

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LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE IN 2 EXACTLY AS PREDICTED BY THE RECALL NOTICE. SUBARU SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED, MEANING THEY SPREAD SOME RUST INHIBITOR ON IT AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST. THEIR FINAL RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS TOO 'OLD' TO OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 80K MILES AND NOTHING ELSE ON THE VEHICLE HAS BROKE IN HALF.

NHTSA ODI #10762792

132,400 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A DITCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A DITCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,400.

NHTSA ODI #10732538

160,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE ONTO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND PARKED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE ONTO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND PARKED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10731707

156,720 miles · Jun 29, 2015
SteeringSuspensionCrash

AFTER A SCRATCHY, METALLIC NOISE THAT APPEARED SUDDENLY IN THE LOWER FRONT, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION,STEERING WAS CEASED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DECLARED AS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI #10731137

80,230 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Suspension

MY CAR WAS AT MY MECHANICS GETTING LOOKED AT. HE NOTICED THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BRACKETS WERE CORRODED (THE PASSENGER SIDE IS SEVERELY CORRODED), TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND STRESSED THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP ASAP TO HAVE IT REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL FOR MY CAR, MENTIONED T…

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MY CAR WAS AT MY MECHANICS GETTING LOOKED AT. HE NOTICED THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BRACKETS WERE CORRODED (THE PASSENGER SIDE IS SEVERELY CORRODED), TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND STRESSED THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP ASAP TO HAVE IT REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL FOR MY CAR, MENTIONED THE SERVICE HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED (BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER ENDED UP TAKING PICTURES OF THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND SENDING THEM TO SUBARU OF AMERICA FOR APPROVAL TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691164

110,000 miles · Feb 15, 2015
Visibility

THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT (YET) BUT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS FAILING - IT WAS THE KIND THAT HAS ALL THE "FEATURES" DIMMER, COMPASS ETC BUT IT IS FADING AND I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY CONCERN. THE FADING MAKES IT LOOK LIKE AN OLD FASHIONED MIRROR WITH A TARNISHED LOOK THAT IMPEDES VISIBILITY AND CREATES BLIND SPOTS. I LOOKED IT UP O…

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THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT (YET) BUT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS FAILING - IT WAS THE KIND THAT HAS ALL THE "FEATURES" DIMMER, COMPASS ETC BUT IT IS FADING AND I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY CONCERN. THE FADING MAKES IT LOOK LIKE AN OLD FASHIONED MIRROR WITH A TARNISHED LOOK THAT IMPEDES VISIBILITY AND CREATES BLIND SPOTS. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT IS COMMON BUT I WONDER WHY IT HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED A RECALL SINCE MIRRORS ARE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683548

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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