Model year guide

2005 Subaru forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Subaru forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2005 Subaru forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Subaru forester at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints93
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$4,805

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Subaru forester recalls 1

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm NHTSA Campaign #11V464000 · 06/09/2011

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JER…

Fix: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWN…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Subaru forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2005 Subaru forester MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,363

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Subaru forester worth?

Low
$2,600
Typical price
$4,805
High
$6,995

From 15 comparable 2005 Subaru forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Subaru forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,815
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,700
Total$20,515
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,805) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,843), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Subaru forester trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5X · awd x · awd xt · awd xs · awd x w/prem · 2.5XS · 2.5XT · LL Bean
Engines
2.5L

2005 Subaru forester vehicles on record

2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xtJF1SG69605G713080 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd x w/premJF1SG65635H732724 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63685H746993 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xtJF1SG69635H700611 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63635H755309 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG65625H725408 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xsJF1SG67635H742120 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester awd xJF1SG63635H750739 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63655H718228 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XSJF1SG65685H729172 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63665H728072 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XTJF1SG69645H710855 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63645H730158 2005 Subaru forester 2005 Subaru forester 2.5XJF1SG63645H708368 2005 Subaru forester LL BeanJF1SG67665H753354

Other Subaru forester model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2005 Subaru forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Subaru forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2005 Subaru forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru forester?

Based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, fuel/propulsion system, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Subaru forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Subaru forester at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2005 Subaru forester worth?

Comparable 2005 Subaru forester listings run roughly $2,600–$6,995, typically around $4,805 (from 15 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.