2005 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 93 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 15 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armSep 6, 2011
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.
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 11V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2023, crash
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2022
Raw fuel smell inside cabin of card when cold outside
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2020
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, Mar 9, 2020
THERE IS A SEVERE GAS LINE LEAK WHERE THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE LEAKING GAS BY THE ENGINE SPRAYING THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN MOTION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2017
I CAN SEE GAS RUNNING DOWN MY ENGINE BLOCK. THE LEAK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF MY EJ255. SMELLS OF GAS VERY STRONGLY. I AM WORRIED A FIRE MIGHT START BECAUSE IT IS VERY NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. BOTH ON A CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY. AND ALSO WHEN TURNING
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 18, 2017
FUEL LINES LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER . THERE IS A RECALL ON THE WRX FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. ON START UP THE VEHICLE WILL LEAK GAS OUT OF THE FUEL LINES AND WILL STINK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR . IT GOES AWAY (OR I GET USED TO IT) AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN. THIS ISSUE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALLOT OF THE SUBARUS FROM THESE YEARS . I'VE CALLED AND EMAILED SOA AND THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR ME . NOW I HAVE TO BUY A FUEL LINE KIT FROM THEM AND GASKETS AND TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER .... NEEDLESS TO SAY I'M NOT HAPPY AND IT'S DANGEROUS!
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2016
IN COLD WEATHER, AROUND 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW, I AM EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED BY CONTRACTED FUEL LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 03-05 FORESTERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH TURBOS. SUBARU SHOULD BE HELP ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS, AS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AROUND THE SAME MODEL YEAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2016
DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WITH GAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, NEXT TO THE TURBO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER GAS HOSE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HARD LINES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT SEEMS THE COLD CAUSES THE RUBBER TO SHRINK. THIS MAKES THE HOSE CLAMPS NOT EFFECTIVE ENOUGH TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE LINES AND GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM THOSE CONNECTIONS (WHICH ARE PRESSURIZED). WITH RAW GAS POOLING NOT ONLY ON A HOT ENGINE BLOCK (CLOSE TO SEVERAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS) BUT ALSO NEXT TO A VERY HOT TURBO ON 2003-2005 FORESTER XT'S WHICH ARE FACTORY EQUIPPED, THIS SEEMS TO POSE A SAFETY ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2015
STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD DAYS IN CABIN, LEAKING FUEL
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2014
FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO COLD WEATHER THE SAME THING THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE WRX ONCE ALREADY.S WHEN IT GETS COLD THE LINES CONSTRICT AND THE CONNECTIONS AREN'T RIGHT ENOUGH ALLOWING LIQUID GASOLINE TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON THING. SUBARU NEEDS TO OWN UP FOR THIS ONE LIKE THEY DID THE WRX. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2014
ON JANUARY 24TH, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00AM, MY WIFE AND I GOT INSIDE MY SUBARU FORESTER. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE HEATER, WHEN WE BOTH SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. WE IMMEDIATELY DECIDED TO TAKE CAR TO THE DEALER, SINCE THE FUMES WHERE SO OVERWHELMING WE DROVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. LUCKY FOR US THE DEALER IS A 15 MINUTES RIDE, BUT WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AND NO HEAT TO MINIMIZE THE SITUATION AND THE WEATHER BELOW 20 DEGREES IS KIND OF HARD. WE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW 30 DEGREES THE FUEL LINES SHRINK, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. I WAS TAKEN BACK TO KNOW THIS KIND OF HAZARD WAS NOT RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THEIR SUBARU FORESTER. I FURTHER LEARNED THE REPAIRS WERE ESTIMATED AT OVER $1,300.00, BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL THE FUEL LINES IN ORDER TO STOP THE LEAK. IT SEEMS THIS IS ISSUE HAPPEN TO VEHICLES FROM 2000-2003 BASED ON RECALL (SUBARU RECALL NO. WVK-21IT). I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE FATAL. THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION IS A FIRE HAZARD AND DUE TO THE STRONG FUMES THAT CAN OVERWHELM A PERSON TO LOSE CONSCIENCE WHILE DRIVING. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE UNDER THIS CONDITION. I BELIEVED THAT THE COST OF REPAIRS SHOULD BE A BURDEN OF THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT OF THE OWNER PER THE RESOLUTION OF THE MENTIONED EARLIER BY SUBARU'S RECALL. AS IS INDICATIVE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WILL SEEM TO ME THAT THIS IS A SITUATION WORTHY OF AN INVESTIGATION FROM DOT, OR IS IT GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A FATALITY, AND WE GO BACK TO SAYING "I TOLD YOU SO". *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 4, 2013
WHEN IT IS BELOW 20 DEGREES F AND THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, INDICATING A LEAK NEAR THE CABIN AIR INTAKE. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER FORRESTER XT OWNERS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES (SEE WWW.SUBARUFORRESTER.ORG FOR EXAMPLE). *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2012
STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30F. NO SMELL WHEN ENGINE RICHES NORMAL WORKING TEMPERATURE. NO SMELL IN THE WARM WEATHER. POSSIBLE ISSUE RUBBER FUEL LINES. CAR IS NOT TO OLD TO HAVE RUBBER PARTS DEFECTED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,260.