VehicleVerdict

2005 Subaru Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Subaru Forester sits mid-pack among Forester years: 105 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 157, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (23), suspension (21), and speed control (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

105

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted1,084 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 891 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 787 complaints2018: 669 complaints2019: 1,084 complaints2020: 798 complaints2021: 281 complaints2022: 134 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Subaru Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2322%
Suspension2120%
Speed Control1716%
Engine1010%
Brakes77%
Airbags55%
Transmission55%
Body & Structure44%
Electrical System33%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Other33%
Steering22%
Tires & Wheels22%

Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V464000SuspensionSeptember 6, 2011 · 318,215 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 10, 2023 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 24, 2015 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 28, 2014 · crash

“I WAS BACKING UP MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER IN A DOWNTOWN, STREET-LEVEL CORNER PARKING LOT. WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROPELLED MY VEHICLE BACKWARDS ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, ACROSS A TWO-LANE DOWNTOWN STREET, UP ONTO THE OPPOSITE SIDEWALK AND CULMINATED IN MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 26, 2018 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 28, 2014 · crash

2005 Subaru Forester — common questions

Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 105 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Forester year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Forester problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (23 complaints), suspension (21 complaints), speed control (17 complaints).

Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Subaru Forester under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest record among Forester years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.