AI DamageSubaru Baja: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Baja across 4 model years: 117 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- Air bags: 17 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (14% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 14 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel system: 14 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2003–2006named in 1 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2004–2006
- automatic, 4-speed 2003–2006
- manual, 5-speed 2003–2006
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 117 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Rusted brakes. The rear rotors are pitted and need to be exchanged, according to the dealer, after 22 months and 19,800 miles. No warranty, dealer sees this as normal wear. According to other authorized repair shop, brakes are fine, shoes still at 50 %, brakes do not need replacement.
1. Rear rotors where pitted after 22 months, front rotors were blue. This was documented on 12/20/07. Brake failure resulted in car crash two days later.
I was only going about 20 mph and gravity slowed me down to below 18 mph because air bags didn't deploy, only to be stopped by a car making a left hand turn onto a highway via road-ramp. 3 people were injured, and my driving record severely scorched.
(1) brakes failed to engage in a routine traffic stop. (2) abs feature disengaged brakes over bumpy surface, disabling my ability to stop and causing my car to collide with the car in front of me. (3) subaru denies any culpability although this problem is well known among subaru owners.
While driving a subaru baja 2006 model I swerved and rolled over after fish tailing. I also almost did the same in a 2005 model but only came up off two wheels but did not roll it , even though it was close. I suspect a tendency for the baja to roll over is a design flaw.
The vehicle started smoking and she drove into a ditch. The brakes had been previously replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. A police report taken at the scene. There was body damage to the vehicle. The insurance adjuster stated there were no problems with the brakes.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.