2005 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 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.
“This is not an accident (yet) but the rear view mirror is failing - it was the kind that has all the features dimmer, compass etc but it is fading and I consider that a safety concern. The fading makes it look like an old fashioned mirror with a tarnished look that impedes visibility and creates blind spots. I looked it up online and it is common but I wonder why it has not been considered a recall since mirrors are safety equipment.”
NHTSA complaint #10683548, filed 2015-02, 110,000 miles“Windshield wipers and radio will not operate after turning on the engine. Intermittent problem. Sometimes they work when the vehicle is started. Problem does not resolve itself while driving. Have been unable to get wipers to work at all for an entire day. Problem developed in the spring time in the lake tahoe and sacramento regions of california and nevada. Have not experienced the problem over the dry summer in the mountains. Subaru has not been able to fix the problem and doesn't know if they can fix the problem since it is difficult to create.”
NHTSA complaint #10140607, filed 2005-10, 9,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 12 | 16% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 90 | 42% |
| 2020 | 301 | 50% |
| 2019 | 406 | 49% |
| 2018 | 156 | 31% |
| 2017 | 116 | 20% |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 12 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
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 complaintsOther or unknown
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 28, 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