2005 Subaru BAJA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 16.2% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Air Bags: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Service Brakes: 2; Structure: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2010: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 9; 2017: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10241077 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)
UPON BRINGING MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, THE SUBARU MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE ELBOW FITTING ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD CRACKED AND A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS REQUIRED TO BE INSTALLED. IN TALKING TO THE MECHANIC AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD INSTANCE OF THIS THEY HAD RECENTLY EXPERIENCED IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. THEY ALL SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED THE SUBARU BAJA TURBO AND ALL THREE VEHICLES HAD APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,226 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323520 · 2010-04-02 (April 2, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V277000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE DELIVERY, FUEL PUMP). HE TRIED ON FIVE TO SIX OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND ON BACKORDER. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. UPDATED 06/10/10.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10323520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126490 · 2005-06-24 (June 24, 2005)
DT:CONSUMER HAS A SUBARU BAJA AND THE HAND BRAKE DOES NOT KEEP VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS ON A HILL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES. FIRST, DEALER ADJUSTED BRAKE, BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS ACTUALLY MADE PROBLEM WORSE. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE ROLLED FASTER AFTER ADJUSTMENT. ON THE OTHER TWO TRIPS TO DEALER NOTHING WAS DONE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN TECHNICIAN TAKING VEHICLE ON A TEST DRIVE TO SEE THE PROBLEM. TECHNICIAN SAW THE PROBLEM AND SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174990 · 2006-12-02 (December 2, 2006)
(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. MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED IN THIS MANNER MANY TIMES PREVIOUSLY, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME INVOLVING AN ACTUAL COLLISION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10782176 · 2015-10-14 (October 14, 2015)
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-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10782176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139805 · 2005-10-15 (October 15, 2005)
THIS IS REGARDING A 2005 SUBARU BAJA TURBO, VIN #:[XXX]. IN SERVICE DATE IS 6/9/04. PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. IN FEBRUARY, 2005 THE PROBLEM FIRST MANIFESTED ITSELF. THIS IS A STEERING CONCERN. ON MAKING A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN AS WELL AS A K TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN AND/OR WHEEL LETS A VERY LOUD SQUEAL. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A STUCK PIG!! WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD TO MANEUVER ALMOST AS THOUGH IT WENT BACK TO UNASSISTED STEERING. AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETED THE STEERING RETURNS TO NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139805 at NHTSA ↗