Model year record

2005 Subaru Forester recalls & problems

The 2005 Subaru Forester has 1 safety recall and 93 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (21 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints93filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

2005 Subaru Forester in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionSep 6, 2011

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 11V464000318,215 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Subaru Forester 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.9%

2005 Subaru Forester NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Forester AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Forester AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Forester AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Forester AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront; Rear	21	3	1	128,056 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	17	7	2	58,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	14	1	1	145,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system › Fuel rail	9	0	0	70,444 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	7	0	0	82,491 mi
Air bagsFrontal	5	5	6	57,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	5	1	2	40,000 mi
StructureBody	4	3	2	40,800 mi
Service brakes	4	1	0	71,200 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element	3	0	0	9,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring	3	0	0	23,524 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	3	0	0	34,857 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
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 was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side control arm had fractured, and the axle was damaged. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension), which he related…
Feb 4, 2021 · 175,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
Moved car 30â 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 lasted a minute. Air bags failed to deploy. Car was totaled. I suffered severe facial and othet bruising and have ongoing fatigue and am eadily winded.
Mar 10, 2023
Power train
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 failure mileage was 183,000.
Nov 22, 2022 · 183,000 miles
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 wouldnât last . They said they donât have to replace and fix the damage caused to my car Subaru gave me a case number 230206-1400191
Feb 2, 2023
Suspension › Front › Control arm
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 where he noticed that the front passenger's side lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it remained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.
Sep 16, 2022 · 210,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
Raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside
Mar 7, 2022
SuspensionCrash
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 traffic as this happened during rush hour traffic on a Thursday night around 5-530pm. Iâm glad that I was able to walk away from this and wasnât killed. I had no warning lights, no laxity in steering, no warning at all-absolutely NOTHING that wouldâve allowed me time to avoid this. The part failure has been recalled previously, and when I called…
Jul 8, 2021
Engine
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.
Nov 13, 2020 · 153,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Front suspension control arm failureClosedLed to recall 11V464000
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…
PE11011 · opened Apr 7, 2011 · closed Sep 23, 2011