CarBrief

NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Subaru Forester[1]. Suspension is the biggest group, with speed control next[2][3].

93owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
19–23MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first. - Suspension. 21 complaints[2]. Owners describe a car that wanders on the road, odd steering feel, noisy wheel bearings and corroded front control arm parts. - Speed Control. 17 complaints[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car surging forward on its own, even with a foot on the brake, and cruise control that did not hold the set pace. - Fuel/Propulsion System. 14 complaints[6]. Owners describe a strong gasoline smell in the cabin, often in cold weather, and leaking fuel lines. - Engine. 10 complaints[7]. Owners describe hesitation, stalling with the check engine light on, and catalytic converters replaced more than once. - Fuel System, Gasoline. 8 complaints[8]. - Brakes. 7 complaints[9]. - Air Bags. 5 complaints[10]. - Power Train. 5 complaints[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2005 Forester is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[13] 18 / 22 / 19 $4,350
Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[14] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050
Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[15] 17 / 22 / 19 $4,350
Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[5] 20 / 27 / 23 $2,900

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR None[16] n/a n/a n/a 4 15.9%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FORESTER 4DR SUV AWD /2.5 X/2.5 SX/2.5 SX PRE[17] 175 in 69 in 63 in 99 in 3,086 lb
FORESTER 4DR SUV AWD /2.5 XT[18] 175 in 69 in 63 in 99 in 3,241 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1998: 101 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 75 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 139 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 88 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 189 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 219 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 93 complaints, 1 recalls9320052006: 88 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 74 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 178 complaints, 17 recalls2010: 262 complaints, 17 recalls20102011: 147 complaints, 16 recalls2012: 105 complaints, 15 recalls2013: 78 complaints, 12 recalls20132014: 403 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 615 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 415 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 592 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 498 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 834 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 603 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 210 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 100 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 74 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 98 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forester model year. The 2005 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981011
19991311
2000750
20011390
2002881
20031893
20042192
2005931
2006882
2007741
2008501
200917817
201026217
201114716
201210515
20137812
20144032
20156153
20164153
20175921
20184983
20198343
20206030
20212100
20221001
2023741
2024312
2025984
2026294

NHTSA's counts for the Forester show 93 complaints and 1 recalls for 2005[4]. Among the 29 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2005 and 19 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (29) and the most are for 2019 (834)[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2005 Forester?

The 2005 Forester has 93 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Suspension and speed control lead the list[2][3]. Some owners describe frightening moments, so these reports deserve a close look. These are unverified owner reports and one complaint can name several parts[1]. Check the recall section on this page and have a trusted mechanic inspect the suspension and fuel lines before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?
Suspension has the most complaints, followed by speed control and the fuel and propulsion system[2][3][6].
Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have recalls?
Yes. The recall section on this page lists them by code, and the by-year fact gives the count[4].
How reliable is the 2005 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file[1]. Engine complaints make up a smaller group[7]. See the sections below for the full picture.
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Subaru Forester?
See the fuel economy section on this page.
Which year of the Subaru Forester is best?
See the by-year comparison section on this page, which compares complaints and recalls year by year[4].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Subaru Forester

Compare all model years of the Subaru Forester

All Subaru models

Similar cars from 2005: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Subaru Forester (15 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 21 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 128,056). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 17 complaints name the speed control component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 145,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 10 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,444). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 11V464, filed September 6, 2011: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV AWD /2.5 X/2.5 SX/2.5 SX PRE: length 175 in, width 69 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 3,086 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV AWD /2.5 XT: length 175 in, width 69 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 99 in, curb weight 3,241 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.