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.
Electrical system
2003 Subaru Baja Electrical problems
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Baja's electrical system with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on July 1, 2026. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Electrical complaints
THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. *TR
When trying to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The dealer reprogrammed the computer/replaced the oxygen sensor and replaced the ecu, but the problem still continued. *Ak the consumer stated the timing belt was also replaced, however the vehicle stalled twice.*Jb *nm
Hesitation, no power on acceleration. Computer has been reprogrammed by subaru in nj.. Trans engaging hard from a dead stop on acceleration. *Nlm
Subaru Baja electrical complaints by year
Baja electrical problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data