NHTSA Data Explorer

Subaru Baja

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Subaru Baja.

Complaints

116

Active records

Recalls

16

Active records

TSBs

179

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

9

Crashes

10

Fires

2

Top reported issues — Subaru Baja

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

31

Operating state

26

Fluid issue

24

Smell

19

Engine behavior

14

Braking behavior

11

Noise

10

Performance issue

7

Safety restraint issue

7

Thermal issue

7

Ride/handling behavior

6

Driver assistance issue

5

Reporting mechanism

5

Vibration/harshness

4

Steering behavior

3

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

3

Lighting behavior

1

Recent change

1

Safety restraint behavior

1

Starting behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed May 8, 2025


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 [XXX], 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…

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Jun 5, 2024


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…

2005 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Dec 8, 2023


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…

2006 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Nov 1, 2022


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

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Jul 5, 2022


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…

2005 SUBARU BAJA

Filed May 20, 2022


2005 SUBARU BAJA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED WERE FRAUDULENT.

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Feb 2, 2022


Subaru water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Sep 2, 2021


The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Baja. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle would move forward inadvertently until the contact applied the parking brake. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V282000 (Power Train). The failure…

2003 SUBARU BAJA

Filed Mar 17, 2021


THE CAR HAS BEEN USING OIL A LOT AND IT'S NOT LEAKING OUT AND IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT OIL AND SMOKES

2005 SUBARU BAJA

Filed May 21, 2020


TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE. DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK, CORROSION DEVELOPED AROUND THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.