2005 Subaru Forester vs 2005 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2005 Subaru Forester | 2005 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 93 | 273 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 9 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 136 | 244 |
| Investigations | 1 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 13 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–23 | 19–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,000 mi | 84,597 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 21 | 56 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 | 40 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 38 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 28 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 30 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 22 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 16 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 16 | 17 |
| Hesitation / surging | 6 | 5 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 27 |
| Stalling | 0 | 8 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 5 |
2005 Subaru Forester
2005 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.