2005 Subaru Forester Problems and Repair Histories
2005 Subaru Forester problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Subaru Forester
2005 Subaru Foresters for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2005 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2005 Subaru Forester problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2005 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories that follow it.
Subaru Forester Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2005 | Subaru Forester | 26 Foresters, 8.1 months of data per Forester, average 84700 miles 45 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
|
see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2005 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2005 Subaru Forester
Engine not specified
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 71000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 71000 | 0 | Check Engine Light was coming on, suspected O2 sensor |
| Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 73160 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 74400 | 4200 | Head gasket replacement and engine overhaul |
2005 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2012 | 107260 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 111880 | 700 | Radiator cracked and evap leak. |
| Mar | 2013 | 112840 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Alabama, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 69000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 105000 | 0 | Cracked radiator was discovered during oil change. Took it to my go-to mechanic and had them make repairs and give it an overall tuneup as it had just hit 100,000 miles. (Car had been running fine,no overheating despite 90 degree weather). |
| Jul | 2012 | 105700 | 53 | A rear window switch needed replacing. Driver could roll window up and down but passenger in rear couldn't roll window up. Mechanic replaced it in under ten minutes so he didn't even bother to charge me for labor. (Part ordered prior) |
| Sep | 2012 | 107000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 71000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 73000 | 1000 | Replaced springs and struts, struts still functional but showing signs of looming failure, springs replaced to improve handling. |
| Jul | 2011 | 81000 | 1500 | Cylinder number 4 misfire and rough idle. Cylinder #4 exhaust valve was stuck open. Repair involved removing head, replacing valve bucket, lifters, seats, and readjusting valves. |
| Sep | 2011 | 83000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 39060 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 41540 | 0 | Motor for the moonroof had to be replaced. |
| Dec | 2009 | 45260 | 400 | Ball joint was found to be damaged due to wear during a brake replacement job. This was replaced during the brake service |
| Sep | 2011 | 71300 | 4000 | End link failure. Upgraded parts as replacement. |
| Jun | 2012 | 79980 | 800 | Timing belt change, along with replacement for AC belt, and water pump |
| Jul | 2012 | 81840 | 10 | Intermittent failure of AC. Due to AC compressor clutch wear. Solution was obtained through searching in forums. |
| Mar | 2013 | 88040 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2005 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Forester in Kansas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 57000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 59000 | 5 | Engine misses while under load at highway speeds. MPG is half of normal. Drove car with service writer and mechanic. "Yes there is a problem. We dont know what it is and we cant just throw parts at a car. Drive it till the CEL comes on." I brought the car home from dealer and after consulting the internet for 3-4hrs, I pulled the ground loops and cleaned them on the wiring harness. (there are 6 grounds on this car) The ground wire for the MAF was corroded. Fixed problem. |
| Nov | 2012 | 106000 | 350 | Timing Belt and drives. |
| Mar | 2013 | 112000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 67000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 79700 | 189 | Slight rattle in front suspension so had the sway bar link ends replaced, problem solved. |
| Nov | 2011 | 83700 | 750 | Replaced timing belt & idler pulleys because the bearings in the idlers were starting to make noise |
| Jan | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Forester in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 75000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 91700 | 800 | Radiator |
| Mar | 2013 | 101000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 57000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 66000 | 700 | Radiator leaking badly--sudden onset Deteriorated handling over last 5000 miles. Went to aftermarket upgraded struts and mounts |
| Dec | 2012 | 75000 | 500 | Pad replaced, rotors resurfaced. |
| Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 45000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 46000 | 0 | Turbo failing intermittently - most recent "code" was camshaft overadvanced. Following smoke streaming from tailpipe, brought to the dealer. Out of warranty - waiting for good will from Subaru of America. estimate: $2400 |
| Sep | 2011 | 47000 | 1400 | $1000 from Subaru of America, after I escalated it from the first offer of $750. Had to do a lot of fighting for the money. Turbo had to be completely replaced: $2400, $1400 out of pocket. Engine still burns oil. |
| Oct | 2011 | 48000 | 0 | Sunroof cables have broken. Estimate is $1200-$1500. Will not repair this until next spring. |
| Mar | 2012 | 57000 | 1000 | o2 sensors on engine |
| Jan | 2013 | 65000 | 0 | We just discovered the seat heaters are not working. Trying to diagnose ourselves:switch vs. element before visit to the dealership |
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 78000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 94000 | 89 | LED light switch for fog light repair was $89.00 p/l |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2005 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Forester in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2012 | 120000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2012 | 120000 | 0 | Temperature rose rapidly after driving 1.5 hours, coolant leak. Diagnosed as head gasket by out of town shop. Towed home, local shop unable to duplicate. Short trips ok but still overheats on long trips. Head gaskets replaced 6 months ago. |
| Jul | 2012 | 122700 | 0 | Independent shop replaced water pump and timing belt tensioner under warranty to correct overheating problem. Conducted 5 hour test drive to verify fix. |
| Jan | 2013 | 126300 | 289 | Suspension noise, front stabilizer links were bad |
| Mar | 2013 | 127000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Finland | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2006 | 80 | 20000mls service (oil change, oil filter, spark plugs, air filter, compartment air filter) | |
| Jan | 2007 | 30 | 25000mls / oil and filter change | |
| Subaru Forester in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2010 | 80000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 90000 | 470 | ac condensor leak |
| Apr | 2011 | 130000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2005 | 0 | Squeak in dashboard, fixed under warranty | |
| Feb | 2007 | 0 | driver seat became loose, fixed under warranty | |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2005 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Subaru Forester in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 66000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 67000 | 550 | Wheel Bearings on Driver rear side failed |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Forester in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | First odometer entry | ||
| Aug | 2009 | 0 | Vehicle needed rubber mirror/glass junction covering replaced. Due to an error at dealership from the rotor issue, got them to cover the part for free. | |
| Oct | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 68000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 70000 | 100 | Sunroof would not close. It was due to the inside screen being off of the track. |
| Feb | 2010 | 75000 | 400 | CD changer in radio unit would not eject CDs. Unit required replacement for CD function to continue to work. |
| Mar | 2011 | 88000 | 3700 | both rear struts replaced |
| Mar | 2013 | 113000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2012 | 89900 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 97340 | 0 | Replace the two rear disks and rotors. |
| Subaru Forester in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2012 | 73000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2013 | 78000 | 0 | Now, according to a dealer, pistons two and four need to be replaced. They sound dry upon start-up. Only 75,000 miles! |
| Subaru Forester in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 86000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 90000 | 250 | Trim - well in door loose Light bulb in clock - cost $175, includes time to remove dashboard to replace -- did not repair Light bulb in gear shift - cost $250, includes time to replace -- did not repair Exhaust pipe leaking - welder fixed it |
| Apr | 2010 | 97000 | 0 | Faulty fuel tank sensor - internal failure. check engine light came on the next week, but just needed to be cleared out. |
| Dec | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru Forester in Nebraska, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2013 | 65000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 67000 | 2656 | Replaced driver's side rear wheel bearing. Both head gaskets where leaking, car was overheating. Replaced both head gaskets, and timing belt/timing components. |
| Subaru Forester in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2007 | 24000 | sunroof | |
| Jun | 2012 | 74000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Alabama, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 67000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 85000 | 278 | Could smell gas fumes coming from the rear left wheel well. Repair shop removed back seat and tested various items using |
| Mar | 2012 | 87000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 75020 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 75020 | 0 | Power seat assembly was changed Transmission shifting hard |
| Mar | 2013 | 75640 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 49000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 50000 | 250 | replaced head gaskets, timing belts, water pump, spark plugs...mechanic noticed my head gaskets were failing during routine oil change...called Subaru, they got the dealer to repair under a "goodwill repair" paid only $200 for repair |
| Mar | 2013 | 63000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2010 | 0 | Replaced transmission. Cracked gears. Warranty replacement. | |
| Sep | 2010 | 74500 | 410 | Right rear wheel bearing replaced. |
| Sep | 2011 | 88000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Nova Scotia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 60760 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 62000 | 655 | Full service, rotors turned |
| Oct | 2011 | 91720 | 300 | Replaced faulty sensor |
| Sep | 2012 | 105400 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 85000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 97000 | 120 | A/C had loss of refrigerant. System was topped off. No leak found this time. Probably very small leak. |
| Feb | 2013 | 151000 | 175 | Ambient temperature sensor inoperative. Not only did I not have a reading of outside temperature, but it also affected the control of the level of heat (or lack thereof) in the car. |
| Subaru Forester in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 103000 | 0 | condenser replaced |
| Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2007 | 0 | Replaced spark plug wires. Car idled rough, sputtered, misfired. Check engine light illuminated | |
| Sep | 2007 | 0 | Warranty repair. Catalytic Converter. Clutch fork was damaged. Both replaced under warranty. | |
| Jan | 2008 | 100 | Replaced ignition coil. Car idled very rough until completely warmed up--check engine light illuminated. | |
| Feb | 2010 | 76000 | 100 | Oxygen sensor. Warranty covered. Head gasket beginning to leak. Warranty replaced. |
| Aug | 2010 | 81000 | 450 | Freon leak. Repaired, parts replaced, system recharged. |
| Mar | 2011 | 86000 | 8000 | Car engine sputtered and ran rough. The ignition coils, spark plugs, and spark plug wires were replaced. |
| Jul | 2012 | 95700 | 600 | A/C did not blow cold air. No leak discovered, recharge of a/c suggested. water pump seized as belt harmonizer cracked and stopped working. |
| Dec | 2012 | 97000 | 0 | Catalytic converter failing Exhaust shield rusted through, began to come loose, and rattle. |
| Subaru Forester in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2011 | 82000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 85000 | 20 | noise from belts / pulleys / generator |
2005 Subaru Forester 4-door
4-cylinder manual 4WD
| Subaru Forester in India | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 52080 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 55180 | 50000 | Car was burning too much engine oil. Engine opened to replace piston rings and cylinder damage was discovered. New oversize pistons and rings were ordered and installed. Clutch was also replaced. Clutch disc was found slightly damaged when the car was in the repair shop for new pistons and rings. It was replaced. The thermo valve was found to be not functioning properly. It has been taken out for now and bypassed. When the part becomes available, it will be installed. |
| Sep | 2010 | 56420 | 0 | The exhaust system had a leak and was also rattling. |
| May | 2011 | 61780 | 1800 | Front wheel bearings replaced |
| Jun | 2011 | 62000 | 0 | Front ball joints replaced |
| Sep | 2011 | 63240 | 0 | Error code showing one bank of air fuel sensor malfunctioning. The sensor was replaced. |
| Feb | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2005 Subaru Forester 4-door
4-cylinder automatic AWD
| Subaru Forester in Finland | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 83700 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 86800 | 330 | sec. airflow pump and valves replaced. Errorcodes 2441, 1440 |
| Apr | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2005 Subaru Forester Repair Advice
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