Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of...
2003-2006 · 4 model years
Subaru Baja Problems by year
Owners have filed 119 complaints about the Subaru Baja across 4 model years, and it has 16 recalls. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (40). The most reported problem area is the fuel system, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 119
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 9
- Deaths
- 0
Baja complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Baja problems
Subaru Baja recalls 16
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles...
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever...
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps...
Latest Baja complaints
My cars abs light came on and the speedometer, rpm gauge, and electrical system started failing while driving. I immediately pulled over. The car caught fire around the alternator. The fire was minor, as I found the damage after towing the car home. If it had been worse, I could've been injured and burned. When I went to fix the car, we found that the wires were taped together with electrical tape and the other end had a form of glue on it. After we bought the car, the dealership kept calling checking on the vehicle, making me believe it was a known issue by them. This issue will cost me to fix the wiring, but I am unsure how much yet.
Vehicle purchased in NC in April, 2025. Registered the vehicle in VA (where I live) a week later once I received the NC title. On [[redacted]], I took the vehicle to get it inspected. It failed the Virginia State Safety Inspection for the suspension - rust on the rear subframe near right rear wheel well. I found the following information online with regards to this issue: These recalls were issued for the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja , specifically those in the "salt-belt" states for "poor paint quality on the...
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subframe components which led to rusting and potential for subframe failure." The recall numbers that I was able to locate online are O3V-153 and WWM-96. I have already reached out to the Customer Advocacy Department of Subaru of America and they are unable to help me because this particular VIN was not tied to this recall. I am unable to get this vehicle inspected because it does not pass due to this issue. This was a KNOWN issue for this year make and model vehicle in the states in which this vehicle has been titled over the last 20+ years. Because of the issue that was found during my state inspection combined with the fact that this vehicle has been titled in "salt-belt" states, I feel that it should been included in with this recall and as such, repaired by Subaru of America. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At the beginning of April, I purchased a 2003 Subaru Baja from Roseville Auto Center for $10,500 and was reassured by the salesman that it passed a safety inspection and that there were no leaks in the head gasket. I did my own inspection under the hood and underneath the vehicle. I found there to be undercoat sealant which made sense as the vehicle was from Pennsylvania. I asked about the rust condition of the car to which I was once again reassured that it was okay. I took the car home and the following week I...
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took it to my mechanic to see where I should start on modifications and upgrades. However, upon doing a multipoint inspection with the car on a lift he discovered that the undercoat sealant had been sprayed over duct tape to conceal rust holes in the running boards. Further, the undercoat had been sprayed after the frame had gotten significantly damaged by rust, not as a preventative measure as it's intended to be used. The frame has severe rust damage as does the steering, suspension, and worst of all, the brakes. The backing plates for the brakes are almost entirely disintegrated. Additionally, my mechanic discovered that there was oil and coolant which had leaked from the engine, indicating that there was in fact a head gasket leak. So, this vehicle is in an unusably unsafe condition with a head gasket leak which makes it unreliable. The vehicle was purchased under false pretenses due to intentional misrepresentation by the salesman regarding the reliability and safety of the vehicle. Furthermore, I've spoken to multiple mechanics and a dealership and none of them want to attach their name to this vehicle because of the liability attached to it due to these safety issues. Beyond this I have done extensive research to find out how much it would cost to repair these issues and replace these parts myself and it would cost me more than the cost of the vehicle let alone the actual value of the car. Finally, I am going to be unable to sell the vehicle for anyt
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Baja. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact noticed an unusual squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a safe location and parked the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and inspected the vehicle. The contact walked around the vehicle, and while inspecting the exterior of the vehicle, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was leaned in toward the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear...
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subframe was fractured and missing parts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.
Brake fluid low (light on), added fluid. A week later the fluid is low again. Found recalls for this year Outback with similar potential problem. Upon inspection it appears that fluid is leaking at or near the coupler near the passenger rear wheel well. The BAJA is mechanically the same as the Outback. This model should be included on theses recalls. NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V110000 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Baja. The contact stated that upon inspection the vehicle, the contact discovered severe corrosion to the rear subframe. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to a specialist. The contact was yet to receive a call back from the specialist. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that other model vehicles had experienced a similar failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was no recall for the subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Questions about the Subaru Baja
Which Subaru Baja years have the most problems?
Which Subaru Baja years have the fewest complaints?
Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2004 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Baja years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.
What are the most common Subaru Baja problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the fuel system (27), engine & cooling (23), airbags (17) most often.
How many recalls does the Subaru Baja have?
NHTSA lists 16 recalls across all Subaru Baja model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data