DecodedCars2005 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD /2.5 X/2.5 Sx/2.5 Sx Pre, 4dr SUV AWD /2.5 Xt
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 175.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,087–3,241 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 38% better than the average 2005 SUV - (16.7 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Subaru Forester is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 175 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 99-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,087 lb (4dr SUV AWD /2.5 X/2.5 Sx/2.5 Sx Pre).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 38% better than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD /2.5 X/2.5 Sx/2.5 Sx Pre | 175.2 in | 68.5 in | 62.6 in | 99.2 in | 58.3 / 58.7 in | 3,087 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr SUV AWD /2.5 Xt | 175.2 in | 68.5 in | 62.6 in | 99.2 in | 58.3 / 58.7 in | 3,241 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | +38% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +32% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 19 | +14% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +14% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Subaru Forester under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Subaru Forester (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2005 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Kia Sportage | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Ford Escape | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Sep 6, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
- Risk
- A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Not every 2005 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 16 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 9 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 6 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 143,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →