2005 Subaru Forester problems
Owners have filed 105 complaints about the 2005 Subaru Forester with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 20% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of vehicle speed control at 16.2%.
Complaints105
Crashes23
Fires1
Injuries15
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Suspension 20.0% · 21
Vehicle speed control 16.2% · 17
Fuel/propulsion system 13.3% · 14
Fuel system, gasoline 8.6% · 9
Engine and engine cooling 6.7% · 7
Air bags 4.8% · 5
Power train 4.8% · 5
Structure 3.8% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 23 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 15 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 23 model years of the Subaru Forester in this data, 2005 draws comparatively few complaints; 2019 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Suspension · reported at 156,720 miles
This vehicle is only 14 years old and I've had it for 2 years. I had it taken to my family mechanic for minor issues and found out that the suspension is completely rusted out. If I had been hit by someone or had hit a large hole, he said the vehicle would have completely collapsed. Suspension · reported at 130,000 miles
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, one section of the rubber hose was damp as a result of fuel dripping over it. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 93,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…