2005 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (17) · Vehicle Speed Control (16) · Fuel/Propulsion System (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
79 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2011-09-06 · campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
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 L
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (145)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 145 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-05-04 · Suspension · 175,000 mi“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 sliding. the contact was able to veer to the side of the road. the vehicle w…”
2023-03-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“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 fighter plane pushed me. entire incident probably las…”
2023-03-22 · Power Train · 183,000 mi“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 needed to be diagnosed. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the fa…”
2023-02-07 · Unknown Or Other“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 bandaid on a serous problem knowing it wouldn’t last . they said they don’t…”
2022-10-13 · Suspension:front:control Arm · 210,000 mi“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 light illuminated. the contact was able to veer to the side of the road…”
2022-03-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside…”
2021-07-17 · Suspension · 💥 crash“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 fortunate that my car went into a field rather than into oncoming traffi…”
2020-11-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 153,000 mi“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 engine running with fuel pressure.…”
2020-11-03 · Engine · 143,000 mi“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 oil coming out of the exhaust period what is going on…”
2020-08-17 · Suspension · 66,709 mi“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 road salt during the winter months. the damage was on both left and r…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.