2005 Subaru Baja problems
The 2005 Subaru Baja has 44 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns fuel system. Next are air bags (16%) and engine (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 44 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 98,000 miles 32 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 32 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 98,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 104,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 3 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
During the afternoon of the december 21st ice storm in bozeman montana, my 2005 subaru baja slid off the road and down a steep incline. Although I only sustained bumps and bruises, the car was totaled. The accident could have easily been fatal. The windshield was heavily damaged, the car axles were broken, there was severe damage to three sides of the vehicle. I wondered why the airbags had not deployed. When I researched the situation I found there was a recall on 2005 subaru airbags.
My vehicle 2005 subaru baja air conditioning system is leaking so bad that I can't keep freon in it. Obviously this is a huge environmental hazard. I noticed on the all 2004 model a factory recall has been initiated but I do not see anything for the 2005 on the recall web site. I purchased in 2004 but vehicle identified as 2005.
It is a commonly known problem with subarus of this era that the high pressure rubber fuel lines underneath the intake manifold will begin to lose their elasticity as they age and leak profusely when the temperature drops below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Mechanics know this and it is discussed extensively on the subaru forums. This happened to my 2005 subaru baja when I was traveling in the mountains. When I started the vehicle in the morning, fuel would begin puddling on the top of the engine.