2005 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Forester. This model year has 93 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2005 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Unintended Acceleration
Fuel/Propulsion System
Considering a 2005 Subaru Forester?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 21 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 17 | 7 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 5 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 93 most recent complaints
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond to the steering wheel turning. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle decelerated but the front passenger's side of the vehicle was slidin…
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 d…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle need…
A part of the front frame was recalled because of rusting and was breaking on 3-20-12 they put a rust proof on the part knowing it would only last a few years instead of replacing the parts. The part is broken and they say the recall was complete but really they only put a banda…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at approximately 25 MPH, the front passenger's side subframe emitted an abnormally loud sound, and the front passenger's side tire detached from the vehicle. There was no warning l…
Raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside
I was driving down the highway when my front drivers side control arm broke causing me to completely lose control of my vehicle. I was thrown down an embankment and into a cornfield where my vehicle came to a stop. I narrowly missed a telephone pole and culvert. I am extremely fo…
I'VE EXPERIENCED THE LEAKING FUEL LINE WHEN TEMPERATURES DROPPED BELOW 20 DEGREES AND GET TERRIBLE GAS FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN ESPECIALLY DURING COLD AND DAMP WEATHER. IT IS MORE PROMINENT WITH THE HEAT ON. THIS SMELL/LEAK CAN BE NOTICED WHILE PARKED, DRIVING, ANYTIME WITH THE ENG…
MY CAR IS BURNING UP OIL. I JUST DID AN OIL CHANGE 400MILES AGO, AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE AND DRIVING REAL FUNNY YESTERDAY. I TOOK THE OIL WHEN I GOT HOME AND THERE WASN'T ANY THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S HAPPENED. THERE'S NO LEAK THERE'S NO OIL IN THE WATER NO …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT PRODUCED CONDENSATION THAT CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO RUST THROUGH ALONG WITH…
THERE IS A SEVERE GAS LINE LEAK WHERE THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE LEAKING GAS BY THE ENGINE SPRAYING THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN MOTION.
AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE DROVE IT ON A 3 HOUR ROAD TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY TO VISIT OUR DAUGHTER AT COLLEGE. AFTER PARKING I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I MISTAKENLY PASSED THE EXIT AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE BACK TO THE EXIT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT T…
THERE'S A KNOWN UNDERCARRIAGE RECALL ISSUE ON THE 2005 FORESTER FOR WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. UPON DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE SUPPORTING FRAME (SEE PHOTO). I CONTACTED A NEARBY SUBARU DEALE…
THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. I HAD IT TAKEN TO MY FAMILY MECHANIC FOR MINOR ISSUES AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE OR HAD HIT A LARGE HOLE, HE SAID THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY COLLAPS…
WHEN IT IS BELOW 30 DEGREES OUT AND HEATER OR DEFROSTER IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS MOVING BETWEEN 25-65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR STICKS AND DOES NOT DECELERATE. WHEN THE CLUTCH IS APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE THE RPMS ADVANCE 1,000 TO 1,500 RPMS(SOMETIME TAKING THE RPMS TO 4,500 RP…
THIS IS A 1 OWNER CAR WITH ONLY 65400 MILES ON IT. I DROVE DOWN A 30MPH ROAD AND THERE WAS SUCH A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND . NO LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO STOP THERE WAS LOUD GRINDING . AND 0 BRAKES OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I WENT THREW THE STOP SIGN AND INTO TRAFFIC BE…
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 A…
MY CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM CORROSION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE
FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND AXLE BROKE WITH NO WARNING WHILE IN MOTION. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AND RETURNED IT IN 2011 FOR A RECALL "WVX34" NHTSA CAMPAIGN 11V464000 FOR 03-08 FORESTER FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM RECALL-FOR THIS SA…
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR EXPERIENCED: -LOSS IN POWER (STUTTERED A COUPLE TIMES), THEN COMPLETELY STALLED -WE HAD TO COAST IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD -A FEW HOURS LATER WE TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN AND IT RAN FINE -IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ~15 MI…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2005 Subaru Forester
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2005 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2005 Subaru Forester has 93 NHTSA owner complaints, 15 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (21 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (21 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (17 complaints). #3: Fuel/Propulsion System (14 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2005 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2005 Subaru Forester has 15 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 93 total NHTSA complaints. 11 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2005 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2005 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2005 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.