2005 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 23%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,056miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Subaru Forester, 23% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,056 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This vehicle is only 14 years old and I've had it for 2 years. I had it taken to my family mechanic for minor issues and found out that the suspension is completely rusted out. If I had been hit by someone or had hit a large hole, he said the vehicle would have completely collapsed.”
NHTSA complaint #11217730, filed 2019-06, 130,000 miles“After purchasing the vehicle we drove it on a 3 hour road trip on the highway to visit our daughter at college. After parking I attempted to drive the car out of the parking lot. I mistakenly passed the exit and as I attempted to reverse back to the exit the vehicle would not travel in reverse even though it was securely in gear. I was able to slowly drive it around a corner of the parking lot and park it where it then would not move in reverse or forward. I exited the vehicle and noticed that the left front passenger side tire was slightly bent in towards the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11316029, filed 2020-03, 31,000 miles“September 6, 2011, Subaru recall 11v464000 or wyx-34, fron lower control arms may break due rust and corrosion from road salt. Corrective action was to punch test, and rustproof if ok; replace at no cost if test failed. My dealer on dec 19, 2011 performed punch test, and reported to Subaru it passed and was rustproofed, according to Subaru records. Mileage was97,158. On march 27, 2017, my Forester failed safety inspection because of rusted through front control arms. Mileage was 128,056. Subaru refused any support, saying they did what was necessary in recall by rustproofing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10969290, filed 2017-03, 128,056 miles“My car was at my mechanics getting looked at. He noticed the lower front control arm brackets were corroded (the passenger side is severely corroded), told me about it and stressed that I needed to take it to a dealership asap to have it replaced. When I contacted the dealership, they confirmed the recall for my car, mentioned the service had already been performed (by the previous owner) and scheduled an appointment. The dealer ended up taking pictures of the lower front control arms and sending them to Subaru of america for approval to repair/replace the affected parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10691164, filed 2015-02, 80,230 miles“After a scratchy, metallic noise that appeared suddenly in the lower front, while vehicle was in motion,steering was ceased. The steering wheel was locked and the vehicle could not be controlled. This resulted in a crash. The vehicle hit a tree. Substantial damage was done to the vehicle and it was declared as a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10731137, filed 2015-06, 156,720 milesRelated recalls
- 11V464000Sep 6, 2011Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from…Covers: Subaru Forester 2003–2008, Impreza 2002–2007, Saab 9-2X 2005–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
- 10199955Jul 26, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles listed, may have been manufactured with front lower control arms (transverse links) that could corrode in the…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 3% |
| 2015 | 66 | 11% |
| 2014 | 94 | 23% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 22% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 12 | 14% |
| 2005 | 21 | 23% |
| 2004 | 25 | 11% |
| 2003 | 22 | 12% |
| 2002 | 9 | 10% |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% |
| 2000 | 19 | 25% |
| 1999 | 25 | 19% |
| 1998 | 17 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Forester
22 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 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 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