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.
Engine & cooling
Subaru Baja Engine problems by year
23 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Baja's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
On certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.
Latest Baja engine complaints
Subaru water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined
The car has been using oil a lot and it's not leaking out and it smells like burnt oil and smokes
If the gas cap is not securely tighten and I mean tighten hard. The car will stop operating within 5 sec ish. This is not good, no matter where u are driving. Not enuff time to pull over safely. This has happened to me at least 4-5 times now.
I had the head gaskets and timing belt replaced at 142,000 miles. Brand new. I put oil in my car every time I filled up with gas, as I was told subarus burn a lot of oil. The low light never came on, never had a check engine light come on. Three months later, at 145,000, without any indication that something is wrong, going 70 on the freeway, in 5th gear, I hear a "pop" sound and my car starts to lose power, smoke is coming from the engine. I get pulled over, safely thank goodness, and car dies. No longer will turn...
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on. Smoke is pouring from the engine. I am towed to the mechanics where they tell me they "think" a rod bearing through a rod through the engine. Not sure is this could be caused by the recall, but something did. I'm quite frustrated at this car, not to mention, the cost. So. I am checking. Thank you.
I bought this car a few years ago. I bought a well maintained subaru that was in perfect condition.. About a year ago it started leaking oil found out the head gaskets were leaking. Had them replaced and it still leaks. Subaru was contacted and they offered some money off a new subaru. My car is work significantly less from this problem. And I to try to fix it again. Could be a fire hazard.
Strong gasoline smell in passenger compartment, dealer can not locate problem,problem persists. Afraid car will catch on fire
My vehicle has had several defects/problems. The engine valve leaked, check engine lights, auto transmission problems since first purchased inherent to vehicle. Vehicle burns engine oil and too hot.. I am afraid to drive car long distances I currently have 113,000 miles on auto.
My car began overheating, so I had my nephew (a mechanic) replace the thermostat - twice. My next step was to take it into the dealer, and have them check it over. They told me I needed a new water pump, and had droplets around my head gasket, but it was nothing to worry about (that was at 98,000 miles). I explained that I was taking my 91 year old mom, and 17 year old dog to l.A. From sacramento, and wanted to make sure it was safe. They sent me on my way with the assurance the car would be fine. I overheated...
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going over the grapevine. Subsequently, I've had the water pump, radiator, timing belt replaced, and it's still overheating. In the last month or so, it started leaking so I looked up online any complaints and found multiple complaints regarding head-gaskets, and that subaru had extended the warranty to 100,000 miles or 8 years. Too bad for me, huh? When I took it back into the dealer (at 104,000 miles) they told me the extension didn't apply to my car. Not only do I resent the fact that I feel ripped off, I resent them sending me out the door when it wasn't safe to be stuck on the freeway with an elderly parent, and elderly dog.
During the afternoon of the december 21st ice storm in bozeman montana, my 2005 subaru baja slid off the road and down a steep incline. Although I only sustained bumps and bruises, the car was totaled. The accident could have easily been fatal. The windshield was heavily damaged, the car axles were broken, there was severe damage to three sides of the vehicle. I wondered why the airbags had not deployed. When I researched the situation I found there was a recall on 2005 subaru airbags. Supposedly a faulty...
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release switch and potentially a release of metal shards upon deployment. Maybe I was lucky the airbags didn't go off. I contacted subaru to see if in light of this situation, they would potentially consider assisting me with a replacement vehicle. After a 2 week delay, rob the csr told me that per page [redacted] of the owner?S manual the airbag would not deploy unless the vehicle was hit from the front or back. Also, although I read that my car was included in the recall, he said it was not. Apparently, the company feel no obligation what so ever to assist with the situation. Possibly they would have paid more attention if I was injured or dead. I am now an ex-subaru customer. I will be seeking an attorney to see if others have had similar experiences. *Tr
I have a 2006 baja turbo, obsidian black, 5 speed. It has (60k) on the odometer. I bought it new and loved it from day one. However, february of last year that love was lost. The cel came on and I went to autozone to have the code pulled. It showed po304. I was told it was a misfire on cylinder #4. I asked the guy there what the cause could be. He said it could be anything from a fuel injector, to the coil pack or a valve issue. I looked up on this forum and there were multiple cases that pulled up. I read what...
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fixes worked for some and not for others. I tried injector cleaner. That did nothing. I installed a new coil pack on cylinder four. It ran better for a short time and then the cel came back on. I replaced all four spark plugs. Once again a short term fix, just a few miles. Finally, I installed a new fuel injector. Again better, then much worse. I took to the baja to a local subaru dealer fearing the worst. Sure enough, burnt exhaust valves on cylinders #2 and #4. They gave a rough quote of 5-6k to fix it. I was offered 7k for the truck in the shape it was in. Angered by the whole experience, I sent a letter to subaru of america and subaru japan explaining in great detail the issue and that there were several similar cases noted online in various models of subaru with the ej255 engine. I was hoping they would offer some assistance, no dice. They basically thanked for sending them the letter and telling them of the issue. They stated since the baja was out of warranty and there was no recall for this issue, there was nothing they would do. *Tr
Timing belt and associated parts were changed by licensed subaru mechanic. In the morning when the car was being warmed up, there was a strong smell of gas. Check engine light was on and cruise light was flashing.Drove car to paint shop in san diego and left for five days for painting. Drove the car up to long beach to ship to hawaii. Baja burned 3/4 tank of gas and died off and on.With strong smell of gas.Filled costco gas premium in hawaii and drove home with car dying off and onn with strong smell of gas. In the...
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morning, started cat to warm car up and gas smell was extremely strong and white smoke also appeared off and on. In two days and driving only 54 miles the gas gauge was below 1/2 tank. In the process now with another mechanic to repair. Final step will be subaru dealer. Note: been googling the web and have found that this is a common problem with the 2005 subaru engine where check engine light goes on and cruise control light flashes. I think this must be a design deficiency on the subaru engine. I am not the first owner. *Tr
Fuel leak/smell on passenger side during cold weather. Leaking oil from engine head gasket. *Tr
2006 Subaru baja turbo with several problems including lunging forward and randomly sputtering and hesitating.. Consumer states that the problems began when the vehicle had 707 miles and have continued. *Kb the consumer stated on one occasion, there was no throttle response. Somtimes the vehicle would idle high and the check engine light would frequently come on and stay on. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 subaru baja. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle lost all power and shut off. The vehicle has been to the dealer three times for the failure. During the first visit, the failure could not be diagnosed. The mechanic eventually stated that the accelerator relay switch failed. The vehicle has shut off 25 times since it was purchased. The manufacturer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,540. Updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/17/08. *Jb
ENGINE LAMP COMES ON.*TR
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