Front right lower control arm and axle broke with no warning while in motion. My significant other bought this car brand new from the showroom floor and returned it in 2011 for a recall "wvx34" NHTSA campaign 11v464000 for 03-08 forester front lower control arm recall-for this same issue. However, the bowser Subaru garage failed to fulfill their obligation cause they failed to replace the rusted…
2005 Subaru Forester suspension problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Suspension accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front lower control arm failures dominate this cluster. The metal rusts through due to road salt and moisture, then fractures or separates at welds without warning lights or steering symptoms beforehand. Owners hit normal driving speeds—25 to 65 mph—and suddenly lose steering control, with wheels turning inward or detaching entirely. Several rolled their vehicles into ditches or embankments; one came within two miles of a steep hill before limping to safety on an interstate during rush hour.
The 2011 recall (Campaign 11V464000) required a punch test and rustproofing. Multiple owners report dealers tested only the thickest metal or falsely documented completion, then refused replacement. Even when rustproofing was applied, control arms corroded again within three to six years. One owner brought documentation from an independent shop showing both arms needed replacement; the dealer that performed the recall still charged $2,000 and refused to honor the recall work.
Subframe corrosion also appears—one owner's mechanic found hand-sized holes preventing any suspension work. Rear struts have pulled out of mountings, and rear suspension components have failed at moderate mileage. One owner reported complete suspension rust-out at 14 years old, with a mechanic warning the vehicle would collapse under impact. Wheel bearing replacement at 81,000 miles was needed twice within 500 miles, suggesting premature wear.
Same Subaru Forester suspension reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Front lower control arm rust-through and fracture
Lower control arms corrode due to road salt and moisture exposure, eventually rusting completely through the metal and separating at welds or fracturing under normal driving loads. Failures occur with no warning lights or steering symptoms until the moment of breakage.
When: 66,709 to 210,000 miles; most commonly 80,000–175,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No warning lights or warning signs before failure; Abnormal vibration while driving; Steering becomes difficult or unresponsive; Wheel suddenly turns inward or outward; Tire detaches or lodges into wheel well; Vehicle veers uncontrollably left or right; Loud noise from front suspension; Complete loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of both front lower control arms required; costs cited ranged from $2,000 (when dealership refused recall). Mechanics recommend replacement of all rusted control arms on both sides.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 11V464000 (WVX-34, WYX-34) issued for 2003–2008 Forester front lower control arm failures due to rust and corrosion. Recall remedy: punch test to assess rust; rustproofing applied if test passed; full replacement at no cost if test failed. Multiple owners report dealers falsely documented recall as completed when they only tested the thickest part of the metal or applied ineffective rustproofing.
Front lower control arm corrosion after failed recall repair
Even after recall service completion (punch test and rustproofing), control arms corroded again and failed during subsequent years of ownership. Rustproofing treatment did not prevent further rust formation.
When: Typically 3–6 years after recall service (mid-2011 to mid-2017 for affected units)
Symptoms owners cite: Visible severe corrosion on control arm brackets; Abnormal vibration at highway speeds; Steering pull or vibration; Wheel or tire separation
Repairs/costs cited: Full replacement of corroded control arms required again; rustproofing-only repair proved ineffective long-term.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 11V464000 punch test and rustproofing. Subaru refused further assistance on vehicles that had already been serviced, claiming the recall remedy was completed and no additional support was warranted, despite continued failure.
Front strut pulled completely out of mounting
Strut assembly separates from its mounting point, causing the wheel to hang or turn at an abnormal angle. Occurs after impact or while driving at low to moderate speeds.
When: 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels unusual after striking bump; Difficult steering feel when putting vehicle in gear; Vehicle shakes or vibrates; Front tire hanging down or pointed outward; Coil/strut visibly hanging out of mounting
Repairs/costs cited: Strut must be reinstalled or replaced; mechanic inspection required.
Subframe severe rust and perforation
Subframe develops hand-sized holes and severe rust damage that prevents suspension repairs and can allow bolts to separate from frame structure. Affects both sides of subframe.
When: Early in ownership; discovered after accident or during inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle immobilized after parking; Control arm replacement impossible due to frame damage; Visible holes in subframe; Bolt corrosion on opposite subframe side
Repairs/costs cited: Frame specialist may need to cut into main frame to repair; not all shops can perform this work.
Rear bucket suspension plate failure
Bucket suspension plate under shock absorber fails, causing strut to fracture and affecting rear suspension assembly.
When: 89,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning rubber odor from vehicle interior; Strut fracture on tire
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced struts, shock assemblies, and both rear tires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified.
Rear wheel bearing failure
Rear driver-side wheel bearings fail, producing loud noise during operation. Bearing replaced twice in short succession (81,000 to 81,500 miles), indicating premature wear.
When: 81,000 to 81,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise while driving at 65 mph and during normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Rear driver-side wheel bearings replaced on two separate occasions within 500 miles.
Overall suspension corrosion without specific diagnosis
Complete suspension system shows extensive rust and corrosion, with mechanics warning of imminent structural failure or collapse, though specific failed components are not always identified.
When: 14-year-old vehicle; timing within ownership varies
Symptoms owners cite: Suspension visibly rusted out; Mechanic warns suspension could collapse if struck or impacted
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic indicated repair would require extensive work; vehicle owner did not proceed.
Steering alignment and caster issue
Vehicle does not drive straight and pulls left or right, especially noticeable at higher speeds. Dealer claims all Subarus exhibit this behavior and cannot be corrected.
When: Developed after 800 miles of ownership; noted at 3 weeks of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle wanders left or right; Steering pull noticeable at highway speeds; Vehicle does not drive straight
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not or would not address; owner sought escalation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no problem found; claimed all Subarus exhibit this behavior.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru forester. While driving at an unknown highway speed, a burning rubber odor emitted into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the bucket suspension plate under the shock absorber failed, which impacted the suspension assembly on the rear passenger…
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 front passenger's side…
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 80,230 and 148,000 miles, with the median around 128,056. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,230; a quarter make it past 148,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.