subaru Forester problems
0 safety recalls. 93 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
CAR HAS RAW FUEL/GAS SMELL ON COLD STARTS WHEN IDLING. FUMES CAN BE NOTICED BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUMES DISAPPEAR ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FUEL LINE LEAK(S)…
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
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…
THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS PRIOR. CHECKED FLUID AND WAS A BIT LOW. I HADN'T NOTICED AND FLUIDS UNDER CAR SO DID NOT GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT. I WAS DRIVING ON SUNDAY AND HAD LOSS OF PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NURSED IT HOME. I ADDED FLUID AND PUMPED PEDAL…
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Common questions
Is the 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Subaru Forester is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 20 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 93 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.