Subaru Baja Problems by Year
NHTSA has 117 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls on file for the Subaru Baja, across 4 model years (2003–2006). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (38). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Subaru Baja years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Baja model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 Baja: 38 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2005 Baja: 37 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2006 Baja: 24 complaints, 9 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Subaru Baja problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 4 | 6 |
| Structure | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| Steering | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Subaru Baja model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Baja | 24 | 9 | — | Suspension | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Baja | 37 | 10 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 Baja | 18 | 9 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2003 Baja | 38 | 10 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
More from Subaru: all Subaru models · Subaru VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Baja years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2003 (38), 2005 (37), 2006 (24). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Subaru Baja?
Air Bags, with 17 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Subaru Baja have?
15 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.