2005 Subaru Forester Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2005 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“There's a known undercarriage recall issue on the 2005 Forester for which I never received notification. Upon discovery of the problem on my vehicle which included extensive corrosion on the lower control arm and the supporting frame (see photo). I contacted a nearby Subaru dealer who informed me that most of the needed repairs were not covered under the recall. This situation put my family and me at great risk as we were driving the car around without knowing. We feel that Subaru should have gone to greater lengths to make sure I got the notice regarding this structural defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11244050, filed 2019-08, 90,000 miles“I noticed smoke and flames in the engine compartment as I was parking at my home. Flames dripped down onto the drivers side axle. As I returned quickly with no water the entire undercarriage was engulfed in flames. I ran a mile to the neighbors house and called 911. We then heard the boom of the exploding fuel tank. We returned to the scene within 20 minutes of the incident and the car was ablaze. Nothing survived the fire. The heat melted through the motor straight through the top of the transmission. The motor oil was boiling. Lost all valuables and vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10928853, filed 2016-11Related service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 21% |
| 2025 | 21 | 21% |
| 2024 | 9 | 29% |
| 2023 | 20 | 27% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 43 | 20% |
| 2020 | 108 | 18% |
| 2019 | 145 | 17% |
| 2018 | 85 | 17% |
| 2017 | 97 | 16% |
| 2016 | 70 | 17% |
| 2015 | 74 | 12% |
| 2014 | 46 | 11% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 9 | 8% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 16% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
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 29, 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