2005 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“A few times a year, my 2005 Subaru Forester with stick shift will not start after parking. However, after shifting the gears a few times, it will start. It appears to me that the sensor sensed incorrectly that the car was in gear other than neutral and hence it would not start despite the gear was in physically in neutral and the clutch was fully depressed. After shifting the gears a few times, the electronic might have corrected itself. I am concerned if other electronics problems may happen while driving, as what happened to toyota. Too bad that there may not enough data with stick shift.”
NHTSA complaint #10305321, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles“On march 20, 2006, the symmetrical all wheel drive system of my 2005 Subaru forrester xt failed, the vehicle fishtailed and drifted, resulting in a rollover, and severe bodily injury. The vehicle was so flimsy, it was disgusting. Every door and window opening collapsed, glass flew everywhere. The ceiling collapsed on the passengers' heads. This is a death car.”
NHTSA complaint #10153456, filed 2006-03, 40,000 miles“2005 Subaru Forester automatic transmission the car lurches upon starting out especially in the morning. You press on the accelerator--car does not move, then suddenly lurches as the transmission slams into gear, so there is little control on the part of the driver--you do not know when the car will move and/or how.. When take foot off accelerator car lurches forward again--with no driver control. The car slams into gear without warning. This has been happening now regularly for the past 2 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304800, filed 2010-02, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 183,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11513189, filed 2023-03, 183,000 miles“2005 Subaru Forester. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shudders in front when executing sharp turns either left, right, driving forward, reverse and at very low speeds.. An inspection revealed the all-wheel valve mechanism housed inside the transmission case needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10662825, filed 2015-01Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10234261Dec 12, 2012Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Forester
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsAir bags
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