2005 Subaru Forester recalls
Suspension · NHTSA 11V464000 · Sep 6, 2011
Problem: 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…
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…
318,215 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Suspension · May 4, 2023 · 175,000 miles · PA
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 28, 2023 · RI · crash · 1 injured
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…
Air Bags · Mar 28, 2023 · RI · crash · 1 injured
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…
Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 28, 2023 · RI · crash · 1 injured
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…
Power Train · Mar 22, 2023 · 183,000 miles · CT
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.
Unknown or Other · Feb 7, 2023 · MN
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…
Suspension · Oct 13, 2022 · 210,000 miles · WI
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 7, 2022 · CT
Raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside
Suspension · Jul 17, 2021 · WI · crash
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…
Engine · Nov 13, 2020 · 153,000 miles · WI
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 13, 2020 · 153,000 miles · WI
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.
Engine · Nov 3, 2020 · 143,000 miles · CA
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
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2005 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2005 Subaru Forester, the most recent one (11V464000) for suspension. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Forester?
Based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are suspension (21), vehicle speed control (17), fuel/propulsion system (14).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2005 Subaru Forester?
Owners reported 15 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2005 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently PE11011: Front suspension control arm failure.