Worst 2005 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Unintended Acceleration
Fuel System
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 18 | 3 | — | 113,870 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 16 | 7 | — | 83,899 mi | |
| Fuel System | 14 | 1 | — | 245,396 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 286,121 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 | — | — | — |
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.
Recalls for 2005 Subaru Forester
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~318,215 vehicles.
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.
Other Subaru Forester Years
2005 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?
What are common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Subaru Forester?
How safe is the 2005 Subaru Forester?
Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2005 Subaru Forester?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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.
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