2005 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability

The 2005 Subaru Forester has 93 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag cvt transmission longevity concerns — concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

93
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
15
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

suspension
21
vehicle speed control
17
fuel/propulsion system
14
fuel system
8
gasoline
8

Recalls affecting the 2005 Forester

suspension:front:control arm:lower arm

Campaign 11V464000

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 CURRE…

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained. Owners express deep satisfaction with the vehicle's

  • CVT transmission longevity concerns — Concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system glitches — Occasional screen freezes, slow response, or connectivity issues. Noted as an annoyance but not a dealbreaker. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Windshield/glass cracking — Described as an "Achilles' heel"; prone to cracks and chips, necessitating comprehensive glass insurance. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Front control arm bushing wear — Bushings reported to fail relatively early, sometimes between 60,000-100,000 miles, affecting ride quality. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Some models, particularly older generations, noted to consume more oil than average, requiring monitoring between changes. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester.

Typical used price

Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.

Other Forester model years

2025 Forester2024 Forester2021 Forester2018 Forester2016 Forester2012 Forester2011 Forester2010 Forester2007 Forester2002 Forester1998 Forester
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