2006 Subaru BAJA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Suspension: 5; Engine: 4; Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 6; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10213323 · 2007-12-31 (December 31, 2007)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213752 · 2008-01-04 (January 4, 2008)
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. NEVER HAD A CAR WITH RUST PITTED ROTORS BEFORE, ESPECIALLY NOT WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND AGE.*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 19,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561366 · 2014-01-24 (January 24, 2014)
FUEL LEAK/SMELL ON PASSENGER SIDE DURING COLD WEATHER. LEAKING OIL FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10669897 · 2015-01-03 (January 3, 2015)
I HAVE A 2006 BAJA TURBO, OBSIDIAN BLACK, 5 SPEED. IT HAS (60K) ON THE ODOMETER. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND LOVED IT FROM DAY ONE. HOWEVER, FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR THAT LOVE WAS LOST. THE CEL CAME ON AND I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE PULLED. IT SHOWED PO304. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #4. I ASKED THE GUY THERE WHAT THE CAUSE COULD BE. HE SAID IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM A FUEL INJECTOR, TO THE COIL PACK OR A VALVE ISSUE. I LOOKED UP ON THIS FORUM AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE CASES THAT PULLED UP. I READ WHAT FIXES WORKED FOR SOME AND NOT FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11011544 · 2017-07-30 (July 30, 2017)
FRAME THAT HOLDS MOTOR MOUNT AND STEERING COMPONENTS TO FRONT WHEELS IS RUSTED SO BADLY, IT WILL NOT PASS ANNUAL INSPECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 132,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011544 at NHTSA ↗