2003-2005 Subaru Forester — Photo: IFCAR, public domain, cropped, Wikimedia Commons

Subaru Forester 2003–2008 Parts

2nd generation (SG) · 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo · AWD

70 common parts
5 with factory part numbers
5 recall campaigns
713 NHTSA complaints

YearPrice links search Amazon for Subaru Forester 2005. Confirm fitment for your engine and drive.

Engine 7

Timing kit
Chain or belt depending on the engine. Check your engine size before ordering.
Not used on the selected year
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Valve cover gasket
Oil seeping around the top of the engine or a burning-oil smell.
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Oil pan gasket
Oil drips under the engine. Some engines are sealed with RTV instead of a gasket.
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Engine mount
Vibration at idle or a clunk when shifting into gear.
Not used on the selected year
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Transmission mount
Clunk on acceleration or when shifting between drive and reverse.
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PCV valve
Rough idle, oil leaks or whistling from a stuck valve.
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Turbocharger Turbo engines
Loss of boost, whistling or blue smoke. Turbo engines only.
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Cooling 7

Water pump
Coolant leak at the front of the engine or overheating.
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Radiator
Leaks, clogged fins or overheating in traffic.
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Thermostat
Temperature gauge stays low or climbs high; weak heat.
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Upper radiator hose
Soft, swollen or cracked hose; coolant smell.
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Lower radiator hose
Check clamps and the hose for leaks at the radiator outlet.
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Radiator cooling fan
Overheating at idle or with the A/C on.
Not used on the selected year
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Coolant reservoir
Cracked tank or a cap that no longer holds pressure.
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Fuel 4

Fuel pump
Long cranking, stalling or loss of power under load.
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Fuel injector
Misfire on one cylinder or a fuel smell.
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Fuel filter
Some models use a filter built into the in-tank pump module.
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Gas cap
A loose or worn cap can turn on the check-engine light (EVAP leak).
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Ignition 4

Spark plugs
One plug per cylinder; the EPA lists 4-cylinder engines for this generation. Check your engine before ordering.
OEM ref: 2.5L, 2005–08: 22401AA6502.5L, 2004–08: 22401AA630
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Ignition coil
Misfire codes, rough idle or a flashing check-engine light.
Not used on the selected year
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Camshaft position sensor
Check-engine light, hard starting or stalling.
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Crankshaft position sensor
No-start or stalling when hot.
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Brakes 10

Front brake rotors
Pulsing pedal or steering wheel shake when braking.
OEM ref: 2.5L Turbo: 26300AE061
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Front brake pads
Squeal from the wear indicator or a grinding noise.
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Front brake caliper
Car pulls to one side or a pad wears unevenly.
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Rear brake rotors
For versions with rear disc brakes. Check which type your vehicle has.
OEM ref: 2.5L: 26700FE080
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Rear brake pads
For versions with rear disc brakes. Check which type your vehicle has.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear brake caliper
For versions with rear disc brakes. Check which type your vehicle has.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear brake drums If equipped
For versions with rear drum brakes. Check which type your vehicle has.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear brake shoes If equipped
For versions with rear drum brakes. Check which type your vehicle has.
Not used on the selected year
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ABS wheel speed sensor
ABS or traction-control light on; front and rear sensors differ.
Not used on the selected year
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Brake hose
Cracked or swollen rubber lines; a soft pedal.
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Suspension 8

Front strut assembly
Bouncing, nose-dive when braking or leaking fluid.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear shock absorber
Bouncy rear end or uneven tire wear.
Not used on the selected year
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Front lower control arm
Clunk over bumps from worn bushings.
Not used on the selected year
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Ball joint
Clunk or wander; check for play with the wheel off the ground.
Not used on the selected year
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Sway bar link
Rattle or knock over small bumps.
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Front wheel bearing
Humming noise that changes with speed.
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Rear wheel hub and bearing
Humming or grinding from the rear that rises with speed.
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Rear coil spring
Sagging rear or a broken coil.
Not used on the selected year
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Steering 3

Outer tie rod end
Loose steering or uneven front tire wear.
Not used on the selected year
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Inner tie rod
Clunk when turning; replace in pairs and align.
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Steering rack
Leaks, play in the wheel or a knock when turning.
Not used on the selected year
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Electrical 6

Battery
Slow cranking or electrical warnings. Check group size before ordering.
Not used on the selected year
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Alternator
Battery light on, dim lights or a dead battery.
Not used on the selected year
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Starter
Click or slow crank when you turn the key.
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Blower motor
Weak or no air from the vents on some fan speeds.
Not used on the selected year
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A/C compressor
Warm air from the vents or a noisy clutch.
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Tire pressure sensor
Required on all US vehicles from the 2008 model year; earlier years may not have sensors.
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Exhaust 5

Upstream oxygen sensor
Check-engine light and higher fuel use.
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Downstream oxygen sensor
Monitors the catalytic converter; often codes P0420/P0430.
Not used on the selected year
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Catalytic converter
Rattle, sulfur smell or catalyst efficiency codes.
Not used on the selected year
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Muffler
Louder exhaust, rust holes or rattles underneath.
Not used on the selected year
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Exhaust manifold gasket
Ticking noise on cold start or exhaust smell.
Not used on the selected year
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Drivetrain 6

Front CV axle
Clicking when turning or a torn boot.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear CV axle
Clicking or vibration from the rear axle shafts.
Not used on the selected year
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Driveshaft
Vibration at speed or a clunk when taking off.
Not used on the selected year
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Rear differential
Whine or howl that changes with speed; check fluid.
Not used on the selected year
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Clutch kit Manual transmission
Slipping, high engagement point or a hard pedal.
Not used on the selected year
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Transmission fluid
EPA lists: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual. Use the fluid type in your owner's manual.
Not used on the selected year
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Body & Lighting 5

Headlight assembly
Hazy or yellowed lenses. Housings vary by year and trim; confirm fitment.
Not used on the selected year
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Headlight bulb
Check the bulb number on your old bulb or in the owner's manual. LED units have no bulb.
Not used on the selected year
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Tail light assembly
Cracked lens or moisture inside the housing.
Not used on the selected year
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Side mirror
Choose the side and features (heated, power fold, signal).
Not used on the selected year
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Wiper blades
Replace every 6–12 months; driver and passenger lengths differ.
Not used on the selected year
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Filters & Maintenance 5

Oil filter
Change with every oil service.
OEM ref: 2.5L: 15208AA100
Not used on the selected year
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Engine air filter
Check every oil change; replace when dirty.
Not used on the selected year
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Cabin air filter
Weak airflow or musty smell from the vents.
OEM ref: 2.5L Turbo, 2005–08: 72880SA000
Not used on the selected year
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Serpentine belt
Squeal or cracks across the ribs. Some engines, including many hybrids, have no accessory belt; check yours.
Not used on the selected year
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Belt tensioner
Replace with the belt if the arm shakes or the pulley is noisy (belt-driven engines).
Not used on the selected year
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Icons are generic illustrations made for this site and do not show the exact part. Parts that depend on engine, drive or powertrain are marked using EPA data for this generation; confirm fitment with your VIN before ordering. Factory part numbers are shown as a reference when available; confirm the number with your old part or VIN before ordering. Price links search by part name and vehicle.

About the 2003–2008 Forester

Overview

The 2nd generation (SG) Subaru Forester covers the 2003–2008 model years in the US. The EPA lists 2 powertrains for this generation: 2.5L 4-cyl (2003–2008) and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo (2004–2008). Drive types: AWD. Transmissions: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual.

The parts list above covers items commonly replaced on these vehicles, grouped by system.

Engines & specs

Engine	Years	Drive	Transmission	EPA MPG
2.5L 4-cyl	2003–2008	AWD	4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual	AWD: 19–20 city / 24–27 hwy / 21–23 comb.
2.5L 4-cyl turbo	2004–2008	AWD	4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual	AWD: 16–19 city / 21–25 hwy / 18–21 comb.

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov vehicle data.

Common problems reported to NHTSA

Mention in complaint	2003–04	2005–06	2007–08
Suspension noise or failure	45 / 408	34 / 181	24 / 124
Rust or corrosion	43 / 408	24 / 181	14 / 124
Brake problems	35 / 408	26 / 181	18 / 124
Airbag warning or airbags	47 / 408	12 / 181	11 / 124
Fuel pump or fuel system	37 / 408	4 / 181	1 / 124
Steering problems	10 / 408	11 / 181	8 / 124
Check-engine light	3 / 408	9 / 181	13 / 124

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA (713 for 2003–2008), counted by words in the complaint text. One complaint can mention several issues; the second number is all complaints for those years.

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Top components in complaints
2003	3	189	Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel / Propulsion System, Air Bags
2004	2	219	Fuel / Propulsion System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine
2005	1	93	Suspension, Vehicle Speed Control, Fuel / Propulsion System
2006	2	88	Vehicle Speed Control, Suspension, Engine
2007	1	74	Suspension, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control
2008	1	50	Suspension, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control

Source: NHTSA (U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recalls and complaints data, retrieved November 2026.

Recalls (5 campaigns)

Power Train: Automatic Transmission (2003, NHTSA 02V282000)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD.
Seat Belts: Front, Buckle Assembly (2003, NHTSA 03V047000)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Suspension: Front, Control Arm (2003–2008, NHTSA 11V464000)
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 ORIGI…
Engine And Engine Cooling (2004, NHTSA 04V473000)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
Air Bags: Frontal (2006, NHTSA 07V043000)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION.

Source: NHTSA. Check open recalls for your vehicle with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.