2005 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

105

Owner Complaints

23 Crashes 1 Fire

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

5

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

The 2005 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 105 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspension (18 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (16 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (14 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 318,215 vehicles.

Recall 11V464000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

| 318,215 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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...

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

105 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Suspension
Complaints: 18 3 Crashes 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 16 7 Crashes 2 Injuries
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 14 1 Crash 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 7
Air Bags
Complaints: 4 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Engine
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 3
Power Train
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 3 1 Fire 1 Injury
Electrical System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2
Steering
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemfuel Rail
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11520398 | SUSPENSION | | 175,000 miles
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.
#11514233 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
Moved car 30’ 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.
#11514233 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
Moved car 30’ 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.
#11514233 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
Moved car 30’ 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.
#11513189 | POWER TRAIN | | 183,000 miles
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.

View all Suspension complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

02-172-18R — ENGINE

This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.

14411AA532R1 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SOA is pleased to announce the launch of a new remanufactured turbocharger program. Supplies are now available at all RDC’s. When installing a remanufactured turbocharger follow the procedure outlined in Service Bulletin 02-106-08R and consult the service manual for vehicle specific instructions.

SB-WVL-22 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SUBARU SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. FUEL TANK ONE WAY FUEL VALVE. CERTAIN MODELS REQUIRE PERMANENT REMOVAL OF THE ONE WAY FUEL VALVE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK. THE ONE WAY FUEL VALVE IS LOCATED AT THE BASE OF A SMALL SUB CHAMBER CONTAINED IN THE...

117605 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

MODIFICATION TO FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. *TT

128405 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

THE DAMPING STRUCTURE FOR THE REAR GATE STAY HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM A SINGLE TO A DUAL TYPE DAMPER STYLE.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 SUBARU FORESTER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER

View all SUBARU FORESTER model years →

Other SUBARU Models

View all SUBARU models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report