2005 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,524miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,524 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle broke down during hurricane evacuation thereby endangering me and my family for 32 hours. 2005 Subaru Forester has a built-in defect where the alternator automatically shuts down during engine idle, so only the battery runs until out of power, thereby leaving driver and passengers stranded on roadway.”
NHTSA complaint #10138006, filed 2005-09, 8,700 miles“Coil packed was replaced for the second time. The coil pack was replaced 05.2006 and the plugs replaced at the same time. This year the coil pack was replaced and the plugs again.”
NHTSA complaint #10192982, filed 2007-06, 23,524 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. While driving various speeds, the vehicle surged and then idled fast and slow before returning to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who produced a failure code associated with the electronic accelerator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10968199, filed 2017-03, 160,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 9 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 103 | 17% |
| 2019 | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 | 71 | 14% |
| 2017 | 106 | 18% |
| 2016 | 93 | 22% |
| 2015 | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Forester
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology