SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

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
95,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR HAS RAW FUEL/GAS SMELL ON COLD STARTS WHEN IDLING. FUMES CAN BE NOTICED BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUMES DISAPPEAR ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FUEL LINE LEAK(S) ARE OCCURRING UNDER THE MANIFOLD WHERE THE SCREWS TO…

Read full complaint

CAR HAS RAW FUEL/GAS SMELL ON COLD STARTS WHEN IDLING. FUMES CAN BE NOTICED BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUMES DISAPPEAR ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FUEL LINE LEAK(S) ARE OCCURRING UNDER THE MANIFOLD WHERE THE SCREWS TO TIGHTEN CAN NOT BE REACHED. SUBARU DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE COST TO REPAIR FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $750 AS THE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIR. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS TO 180K AND 155K IN THE SAME GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT AND HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED LIKE THEY DID ON THE 02-03 WRX!!! THIS IS A MAJOR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. I'M GOING TO SUBARU NORTH AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY WILL PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557836

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 …

Read full complaint

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

25,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AN UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS AN INTERSECTION AND JUMPED A SIDE WALK BEFORE IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AN UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS AN INTERSECTION AND JUMPED A SIDE WALK BEFORE IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513793

34,857 miles · May 23, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE - SHOP EVALUATION SHOWS MASTER CYLINDER FAILING - ORIGINAL MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED WITH NEW PART AT 31858 MILES DUE TO FAILURE (BRAKE FLUID BLEEDING BACK INTO RESERVOIR). WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN. [NOTE : VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER]

NHTSA ODI #10514235

68,000 miles · May 4, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

A RED LIGHT RUNNER IMPACTED MY VEHICLE IN AN INTERSECTION. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THE RED LIGHT RUNNER WAS IN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I ESTIMATE THE SPEED BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT DROVE MY VEHICLE INTO A CAR TO MY LEFT THAT WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSEC…

Read full complaint

A RED LIGHT RUNNER IMPACTED MY VEHICLE IN AN INTERSECTION. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THE RED LIGHT RUNNER WAS IN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I ESTIMATE THE SPEED BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT DROVE MY VEHICLE INTO A CAR TO MY LEFT THAT WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSECTION. THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WAS A 2004 FORD BRONCO. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE LEFT FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE AND TOTALLED. THERE WERE TWO RAPID LATERAL IMPACTS TO MY VEHICLE YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SEAT RESTRAINTS WERE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510628

58,000 miles · Apr 25, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. A TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A MALFUNCTION WITH THE THROTTLE SENSOR. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10509582

72,600 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN IT IS BELOW 20 DEGREES F AND THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, INDICATING A LEAK NEAR THE CABIN AIR INTAKE. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER FORRESTER XT OWNERS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES (SEE WWW.SUBARUFORRESTER.ORG FOR EXAMPLE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496373

80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
SuspensionCrashInjury

LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AT WELD DUE TO RUST THROUGH AND CAUSED CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE INSPECTED BY DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT. THEY WERE DEEMED TO BE SAFE AFTER A "PUNCH…

Read full complaint

LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AT WELD DUE TO RUST THROUGH AND CAUSED CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE INSPECTED BY DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT. THEY WERE DEEMED TO BE SAFE AFTER A "PUNCH TEST" AND RUSTPROOFING APPLIED. THE RECALL ALSO PROVIDED FOR REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER MY CAR WAS NOT DETERMINED TO NEED REPLACEMENT AS A RESULT OF THE PUNCH TEST. IT APPEARS THAT THE TESTING PROCEDURE FOR THIS RECALL MAY BE TOO SUBJECTIVE AND/OR INEFFECTIVE AND THAT CONTINUED FAILURES WILL BE FORTHCOMING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492986

118,000 miles · Dec 30, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30F. NO SMELL WHEN ENGINE RICHES NORMAL WORKING TEMPERATURE. NO SMELL IN THE WARM WEATHER. POSSIBLE ISSUE RUBBER FUEL LINES. CAR IS NOT TO OLD TO HAVE RUBBER PARTS DEFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490491

44,260 miles · Dec 27, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,260.

NHTSA ODI #10490207

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

Subaru Forester transmission problems →Subaru Forester electrical problems →