What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005 Subaru Forester has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak), EJ255 Turbo Piston Ringland Cracking and Engine Failure (Forester XT), Oil Pump Backing-Plate Screws Loosening — Front Crank Seal Push-Out and Low Oil Pressure. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2005 Subaru Forester has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak) and EJ255 Turbo Piston Ringland Cracking and Engine Failure (Forester XT). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?
Repair costs for known Subaru Forester issues range from $50 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak), typically costs $1,800-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1998-2010 Subaru Forester EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak)?
The EJ25 2.5L horizontally-opposed engine in 1998-2010 Foresters is notorious for external head gasket failure. Unlike typical blown head gaskets that cause overheating, the Subaru EJ25 gaskets fail externally, leaking coolant and oil down the sides of the engine. The failure is… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2004-2013 Subaru Forester EJ255 Turbo Piston Ringland Cracking and Engine Failure (Forester XT)?
The turbocharged EJ255 has thin, cast-piston ringlands that crack under detonation. The large bore, high cylinder temperatures and a flat oil pan that lets oil slosh away from the pickup under cornering make the engine vulnerable: a single knock event (low-octane fuel, poor tune,… Repairs typically run $4,000-$8,000. Severity: high.
What is the 1998-2010 Subaru Forester Oil Pump Backing-Plate Screws Loosening — Front Crank Seal Push-Out and Low Oil Pressure?
The EJ-series front-mounted oil pump has a rotor cover (backing plate) held on by five small screws installed without thread locker at the factory. On high-mileage engines these screws routinely work loose. Pressurized oil then escapes past the rotor cover into the pump body behi… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 1998-2010 Subaru Forester 4EAT Transfer Clutch Torque Bind — Duty Solenoid C / MPT Clutch Pack Failure (Automatic AWD)?
On automatic-transmission Foresters with the 4EAT gearbox, all-wheel drive is managed by an electronically controlled multi-plate transfer (MPT) clutch on the tail of the transmission, modulated by the 'Duty C' solenoid. When the solenoid sticks or the clutch pack glazes, the clu… Repairs typically run $250-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 1998-2005 Subaru Forester Knock Sensor Housing Cracking — P0325 and Permanent Timing Retard?
The single knock sensor bolted to the top of the EJ block on SF- and early SG-generation Foresters has a brittle plastic/resin housing that cracks after years of heat cycling directly on the block. Once cracked, the piezo element's circuit reads out of range and the ECU sets P032… Repairs typically run $80-$250. Severity: low.
What is the 2003-2018 Subaru Forester Rear Gate Wiring Harness Wires Fracturing in the Flex Conduit — Rear Wiper, Defogger, Lock and Backup Lights Fail?
The wiring that feeds the tailgate runs through a flexible rubber boot between the body and the gate on the passenger side. Every open and close flexes those conductors, and over years the copper work-hardens and fractures inside the insulation, so the wire looks intact from outs… Repairs typically run $50-$450. Severity: low.
What is the 1998-2008 Subaru Forester Rear Differential Mount / Outrigger Bushing Collapse — Driveline Clunk on Gear Engagement?
The rear differential on SF and SG Foresters hangs on rubber bushings — a large front mount bushing plus rear outrigger bushings tying the diff nose and carrier to the body. The rubber dry-rots and cracks with age, letting the differential rotate and move vertically before it tra… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: low.
