2005 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Subaru Forester has a complaint index of 15, ranked 18th worst of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict (capped because 2005-2009 records are less complete). Engine issues (28% of complaints) and unintended acceleration reports stand out, along with one suspension recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 93
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
Top 2005 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine26 (28%)
- Fuel System22 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (24%)
- Brakes7 (8%)
- Airbags5 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Electrical System3 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Steering2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, including lurching forward or backward right after starting the car.
- Some describe the engine surging or accelerating on its own while parking or reversing at very low speeds, leading to crashes into garages, trees, or buildings.
- Side airbags reportedly failed to deploy in side-impact crashes, even in collisions around 40 mph.
- One owner reported the all-wheel-drive system failing at highway speed, causing the vehicle to fishtail and roll over.
- A lower control arm reportedly separated at a rusted weld point near 80,000 miles, causing loss of control and a crash despite a prior recall inspection.
2005 Subaru Forester recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V464000Sep 6, 2011Suspension, Wheels & Tires318,215 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
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.
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.
2005 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,575
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 Forester a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years, and it carries a Good verdict. The verdict is capped to Good rather than a higher rating because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?
- Engine problems make up 28% of complaints, followed by fuel system issues at 24% and suspension, wheels and tires issues also at 24%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 88,745.
- Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2005 Forester, covering suspension corrosion on the front lower control arms for model years 2002-2007 Impreza, 2003-2008 Forester, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles.
- How does the 2005 Forester compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 15, the 2005 model has fewer reported complaints than later years like 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, which all carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 90, 85, 100, and 95.