Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Subaru Baja problems

Owners filed 37 complaints about the 2005 Subaru Baja with NHTSA between May 2005 and Dec 2023. The most-cited component is air bags (7).

Complaints
37
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags7
  2. Fuel/propulsion system6
  3. Fuel system, gasoline6
  4. Engine5
  5. Structure4
  6. Suspension3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Power train2
  9. Engine and engine cooling2
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  11. Equipment1
  12. Tires1
  13. Steering1
  14. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20054
20062
20072
20083
20090
20101
20110
20120
20130
20145
20154
20169
20172
20180
20192
20201
20210
20221
20231

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

7 reports9 related recalls
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V016000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2017Air bagsODI 10966549

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL. WHEN TANK IS FULL THE PRESENCE OF THE FUMES ARE OVERWHELMING. OTHER 2005 BAJA'S HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL, BUT MINE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I CAN'T PARK IN A GARAGE DUE TO LIFE THREATENING REASONS AND IT COULD IGNITE RIGHT NOW. PLEASE HELP ME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11175853

Fuel system, gasoline

6 reports2 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PRESENT DURING THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS INTERMITTENTLY PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10614477

Engine

5 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2015Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 10782176

Structure

4 reports1 crash
“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 noticed that the rear subframe was fractured and missing parts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2023StructureODI 11559168

Suspension

3 reports1 crash
“I RECENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, SO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME AND UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING EARS HAVE ROTTED OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2016Suspension, StructureODI 10892762
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.