Total Complaints
105 filings
SUBARU FORESTER · model year
105 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005SUBARUFORESTER carries 105 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 FORESTER is suspension with 18 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (16) and fuel/propulsion system (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2005 FORESTER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
105 filings
Crashes Reported
23 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 18 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 16 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 14 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
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,
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 to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could assist because of the age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Mileage: 175,000
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mileage: 183,000
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
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.
Mileage: 210,000
Raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside
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 Subaru I was told that the recall had been âtaken care ofâ which concerns me that this part was âfixedâ and still put my life in danger. Police were called to the scene and a report was written. My car was towed to a local shop to be evaluated and was considered a total loss due to the extent
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.
Mileage: 153,000
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.
Mileage: 153,000
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
Mileage: 143,000
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 RIGHT SIDE CONTROL ARM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2012 AS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH AN UPPER LEVEL MANAGER WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,709.*BF*JB
Mileage: 66,709
THERE IS A SEVERE GAS LINE LEAK WHERE THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE LEAKING GAS BY THE ENGINE SPRAYING THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN MOTION.
Mileage: 174,000
AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE DROVE IT ON A 3 HOUR ROAD TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY TO VISIT OUR DAUGHTER AT COLLEGE. AFTER PARKING I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I MISTAKENLY PASSED THE EXIT AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE BACK TO THE EXIT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL IN REVERSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SECURELY IN GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IT AROUND A CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT AND PARK IT WHERE IT THEN WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SLIGHTLY BENT IN TOWARDS THE VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE NEXT DAY THE MECHANIC WAS NOT YET ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE TO LIFT IT BUT WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS WHICH WOULD NOT ARRIVE FOR THREE DAYS. WE WERE PREPARED TO PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS WHEN THE MECHANIC CALLED BACK AND AFTER HAVING ANOTHER TECHNICIA
Mileage: 31,000
THERE'S A KNOWN UNDERCARRIAGE RECALL ISSUE ON THE 2005 FORESTER FOR WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. UPON DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE SUPPORTING FRAME (SEE PHOTO). I CONTACTED A NEARBY SUBARU DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT MOST OF THE NEEDED REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS SITUATION PUT MY FAMILY AND ME AT GREAT RISK AS WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND WITHOUT KNOWING. WE FEEL THAT SUBARU SHOULD HAVE GONE TO GREATER LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE I GOT THE NOTICE REGARDING THIS STRUCTURAL DEFECT. SUBARU SHOULD COVER THIS REPAIR IN FULL. I WANTED TO ALERT OTHERS TO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Mileage: 90,000
THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. I HAD IT TAKEN TO MY FAMILY MECHANIC FOR MINOR ISSUES AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE OR HAD HIT A LARGE HOLE, HE SAID THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED.
Mileage: 130,000
WHEN IT IS BELOW 30 DEGREES OUT AND HEATER OR DEFROSTER IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS MOVING BETWEEN 25-65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR STICKS AND DOES NOT DECELERATE. WHEN THE CLUTCH IS APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE THE RPMS ADVANCE 1,000 TO 1,500 RPMS(SOMETIME TAKING THE RPMS TO 4,500 RPMS). VEHICLE HAS NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND NO ERROR CODES ON THE ECU. THE MAF, MAP AND PCV SENSORS ARE ALL FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE THROTTLE BODY IS ALSO PERFECTLY CLEANED. VEHICLE IDOLS FINE AND PASSES ALL EMISSIONS TESTS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE (DBW) MECHANISM IS MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM AND THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Mileage: 135,000
THIS IS A 1 OWNER CAR WITH ONLY 65400 MILES ON IT. I DROVE DOWN A 30MPH ROAD AND THERE WAS SUCH A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND . NO LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO STOP THERE WAS LOUD GRINDING . AND 0 BRAKES OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I WENT THREW THE STOP SIGN AND INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE GRINDING TO A STOP..THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULAR. I TOOK IT RIGHT AWAY TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP.. THEY SAID THE BRAKES ARE CARRODED AND FROZEN. REQUIRING CALIPERS ,ROTORS,PADS ON EACH FRONT WHEEL. JUST FOR THE FRONT THE COST WAS OVER $950.00 . I DID SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT BEFORE I GO TO THE SABARU DEALER I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS COVERED. I AM A DISABLED WIDOW I DRIVE VERY FEW MILES . I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLE REQUIRE ANY THING OTHER THAN PADS.RHIS IS A REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. STILL THE BRAKES LIGHT HAS NOT EVEN COME ON.
Mileage: 65,400
I WAS BACKING UP MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER IN A DOWNTOWN, STREET-LEVEL CORNER PARKING LOT. WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROPELLED MY VEHICLE BACKWARDS ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, ACROSS A TWO-LANE DOWNTOWN STREET, UP ONTO THE OPPOSITE SIDEWALK AND CULMINATED IN MY VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CITY LIGHT POLE, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. I ESTIMATE I WAS TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH WHEN I HIT THE LIGHT POLE. I MISSED TWO PEDESTRIANS BY MERE INCHES AND FORTUNATELY MISSED HITTING ANY OTHER CARS. I HAD MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE 4-5 SECONDS OF THE INCIDENT, AND ALMOST BROKE THE GEAR SHIFT, MADLY TRYING TO SHIFT INTO PARK. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND I AM TOTALLY FREAKED OUT BY THE ENTIRE NIGHTMARISH EXPERIENCE! THIS WAS A DEADLY SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE AND OTHERS' LIVES. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER SUBARU. THIS OCCURRED ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018.
Mileage: 234,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.