YearToAvoid

2005 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2005 Subaru Forester, 28% of all 93 complaints for this model year. That is #15 highest engine complaint count among 21 Forester model years. These complaints report 7 crashes and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 88,746 miles.

Engine complaints
26
28% of 93
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
88,746 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Subaru Forester engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 14, 2005, latest Mar 28, 2023.

2005 Subaru Forester engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2005Apr 2008Jan 2010Apr 2010Apr 2013Jul 2014Oct 2017Nov 2020
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2005 to Mar 2023; peak May 2005 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2005 Subaru Forester

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forester model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200526 (28%)
  2. 200637 (42%)
  3. 200722 (30%)
  4. 200814 (28%)
  5. 200955 (31%)
  6. 201059 (23%)
  7. 201179 (54%)
  8. 201246 (44%)
  9. 201333 (43%)
  10. 2014110 (27%)
  11. 2015191 (31%)
  12. 201691 (22%)
  13. 201776 (13%)
  14. 201858 (12%)
  15. 2019136 (16%)
  16. 2020105 (17%)
  17. 202142 (20%)
  18. 202218 (18%)
  19. 202310 (14%)
  20. 20242 (7%)
  21. 20258 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have engine problems?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about the engine in the 2005 Subaru Forester, 28% of all complaints for this model year, including 7 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 88,746 miles.
Which Subaru Forester year has the most engine complaints?
The 2015 Subaru Forester has the most engine complaints (191), compared with 26 for the 2005.
Is there a engine recall for the 2005 Subaru Forester?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Subaru Forester is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.