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2005 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Subaru Forester, most often about the fuel system (24% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is 18th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Subaru Forester problems
Fuel system
22 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
It had been cold, below freezing in the mid west, most of the time I would recirculate the cabin air, but every time when I bring in fresh air from outside to clear the moisture, I experienced a strong odor of raw gas coming in through the air vents. Then I noticed fuel was actually leaking in the engine compartment…
Car has raw fuel/gas smell on cold starts when idling. Fumes can be noticed both outside and inside the vehicle. Occurs only when the outside air temperature is below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Fumes disappear once the engine reaches normal operating temperature. Fuel line leak(s) are occurring under the manifold where…
Suspension
21 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
September 6, 2011, Subaru recall 11v464000 or wyx-34, fron lower control arms may break due rust and corrosion from road salt. Corrective action was to punch test, and rustproof if ok; replace at no cost if test failed. My dealer on dec 19, 2011 performed punch test, and reported to Subaru it passed and was…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for general inspection, the contact was informed that the front driver and passenger lower control arms showed corrosion. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). The manufacturer was…
Speed control
17 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was engaged and there was no response. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. After several few minutes the vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was…
On july 28, 2014 I was pulling into my parking space at my condo.the brakes wouldn't stop the car and the engine seemed to surge forward. The passenger with me looked down and said the gas pedal looked to be all the way to the floor. The car had to be towed, and I am still awaiting for the damage estimate from my…
Engine
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Our company uses ten Subaru foresters as fleet vehicles for utility field work. Of the ten vehicles five are 2005 foresters and out of the five, three different vehicles had to have the catalytic converter replaced at the company's expense. Another vehicle was a 2006 model and had its catalytic converter changed at no…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was replaced three times. The warning light for the check engine and the vehicle speed control indicators were constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer at least three times for the failure and each time, the…
Brakes
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on any road condition, when depressing the brake pedal, the ABS light illuminated resulting in longer stopping distance. This occurred intermittently. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who could not duplicate the problem.
On july 28, 2014 I was pulling into my parking space at my condo.the brakes wouldn't stop the car and the engine seemed to surge forward. The passenger with me looked down and said the gas pedal looked to be all the way to the floor. The car had to be towed, and I am still awaiting for the damage estimate from my…
Air bags
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: frontal.
Dt: consumer got into car accident and the side air bag on the passengers side of the vehicle did not deploy. While going approximately 15-20 MPH another vehicle hit on the passenger side at 40 MPH/.
Air bag did not open after my car crashed another car and the insurance declared my cart total loss. Both myself and the person in the other car were luckily not seriously injured (just neck whiplash), but I hit the care very hard, I even hurt my knees with the impact and I don't understand why the airbag did not work.
Transmission
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
On march 20, 2006, the symmetrical all wheel drive system of my 2005 Subaru forrester xt failed, the vehicle fishtailed and drifted, resulting in a rollover, and severe bodily injury. The vehicle was so flimsy, it was disgusting. Every door and window opening collapsed, glass flew everywhere. The ceiling collapsed on…
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..…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
On march 20, 2006, the symmetrical all wheel drive system of my 2005 Subaru forrester xt failed, the vehicle fishtailed and drifted, resulting in a rollover, and severe bodily injury. The vehicle was so flimsy, it was disgusting. Every door and window opening collapsed, glass flew everywhere. The ceiling collapsed on…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the rear sub frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was deemed as unsafe to operate by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and made aware of the issue. The manufacturer explained…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Subaru Forester recalls
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Questions about the 2005 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (22 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); suspension (21 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles); speed control (17 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Subaru Forester have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 6, 2011 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is 18th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints, with 93 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.