2005 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
93 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 80 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 93 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 14.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Suspension: 18; Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7; Air Bags: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 16
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
2005: 9; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 7; 2010: 9; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 8; 2014: 8; 2015: 10; 2016: 4; 2017: 10; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 4
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10116913 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)
MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO PUSH REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID SURGING AHEAD INTO TRAFFIC.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119786 · 2005-05-04 (May 4, 2005)
MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGED AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION SUBSIDED AFTER I PLACED THE CAR IN FIRST GEAR AND SLIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL MOVING THE CAR FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED OVER A DOZEN TIMES IN THE COURSE OF 24HRS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER WHERE SEVERAL TEST RUNS WERE PERFORMED AS WELL AS A MONITOR TEST. NO CODES SHOWED UP SO I TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST RUN WITH ONE OF THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 85 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10312916 · 2010-02-22 (February 22, 2010)
AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU FORRESTER IN FOR A RECALL FOR A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK. I WAS TOLD THE HEADGASKET LEAKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT! DURING THE REPAIR OF THE HEADGASKET I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP INFORMING ME I ALSO HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I NOTICED THAT SUBARU HAD A TON OF HEADGASKET RECALLS STARTING IN 1997. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL LACK OF QUALITY IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 980,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10312916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10322698 · 2010-03-29 (March 29, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. HE STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A GENERIC CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL TANK. AFTER THE DEALER REMOVED THE CHECK VALVE, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION IN THE FUEL TANK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND ADVISED THEM OF HIS CONCERNS BUT WAS TOLD THAT IF HE WANTED THE CHECK VALVE TO BE RE-INSTALLED, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,485. UPDATED 05/24/10 *BF UPDATED 06/04/10
Owner-reported narrative. 49,485 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322698 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138045 · 2005-10-14 (October 14, 2005)
DT: THE ABS STUCK ON THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL SLOWLY AND HAD TO STOP TO WAIT ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TOOK A WHILE, SHE PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE MOVED THE CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE, THEN PUT VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR, AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN STARTING TO GO DOWN HILL AND TRYING TO USE THE BRAKE IT WOULD NOT WORK. IT WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO A PARKING LOT. SHE HAD TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10304800 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)
2005 SUBARU FORESTER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE CAR LURCHES UPON STARTING OUT ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING. YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR--CAR DOES NOT MOVE, THEN SUDDENLY LURCHES AS THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR, SO THERE IS LITTLE CONTROL ON THE PART OF THE DRIVER--YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL MOVE AND/OR HOW.. WHEN TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR CAR LURCHES FORWARD AGAIN--WITH NO DRIVER CONTROL. THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING NOW REGULARLY FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON JAN 14-…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262103 · 2009-03-17 (March 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT AS IF SHE STRUCK A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL FELT UNUSUAL AND WHEN SHE BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP, SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND TO PUT INTO FIRST GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS HANGING OFF FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE TOP WAS POINTED OUTWARDS. FURTHERMORE, THE COIL THAT SHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731137 · 2015-06-29 (June 29, 2015)
AFTER A SCRATCHY, METALLIC NOISE THAT APPEARED SUDDENLY IN THE LOWER FRONT, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION,STEERING WAS CEASED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DECLARED AS A TOTAL LOSS.
Owner-reported narrative. 156,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138006 · 2005-09-28 (September 28, 2005)
VEHICLE BROKE DOWN DURING HURRICANE EVACUATION THEREBY ENDANGERING ME AND MY FAMILY FOR 32 HOURS. 2005 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A BUILT-IN DEFECT WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN DURING ENGINE IDLE, SO ONLY THE BATTERY RUNS UNTIL OUT OF POWER, THEREBY LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED ON ROADWAY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820631 · 2016-01-16 (January 16, 2016)
DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WITH GAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, NEXT TO THE TURBO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER GAS HOSE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HARD LINES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT SEEMS THE COLD CAUSES THE RUBBER TO SHRINK. THIS MAKES THE HOSE CLAMPS NOT EFFECTIVE ENOUGH TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE LINES AND GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM THOSE CONNECTIONS (WHICH ARE PRESSURIZED). WITH RAW GAS POOLING NOT ONLY ON A HOT ENGINE BLOCK (CLOSE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 192,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355241 · 2010-09-13 (September 13, 2010)
WE PURCHASED A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN AUGUST 2008 AT 60,000 MILES. SINCE AUGUST 2008, WE HAD FOUR EPISODES OF ENGINE STALLING WITH CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FOUR TIMES TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST AND THIRD TOWING RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION COIL. THE SECOND TOWING RESULTED IN NO REPAIR SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. BEFORE THE FOURTH TOWING, WE JUST GOT ON A FREEWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER SO WE QUICKLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND MANAGED …
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041098 · 2017-10-30 (October 30, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR EXPERIENCED: -LOSS IN POWER (STUTTERED A COUPLE TIMES), THEN COMPLETELY STALLED -WE HAD TO COAST IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD -A FEW HOURS LATER WE TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN AND IT RAN FINE -IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ~15 MINUTES WITH NO ISSUES, THERE WAS NO RAIN, IT WAS A DRY DAY, NO OTHER POTENTIAL CAUSES TO BE NOTICED -THIS EXACT ISSUE OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, IT HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE EVER SINCE, EXCEPT IN THE WINTER THE IDLE WILL SOMETIMES FLU…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11041098 at NHTSA ↗