2005 Subaru Baja recalls & problems

11 recalls 37 complaints 4 investigations

11recalls
37owner complaints
2crashes reported
0fires reported
3 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2005 Subaru Baja and 37 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is air bags (7 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (6). NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2005 Subaru Baja recalls

Air Bags · NHTSA 20V001000 · Jan 2, 2020

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the…

258,813 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 20V003000 · Jan 2, 2020

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance…

111,562 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 20V002000 · Jan 2, 2020

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina,…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance…

127,547 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 17V026000 · Jan 11, 2017

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,…

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.

69,529 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 17V014000 · Jan 10, 2017

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands…

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

53,480 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 17V016000 · Jan 10, 2017

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington,…

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer…

62,764 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 16V359000 · May 25, 2016

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,…

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This…

146,010 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 16V358000 · May 25, 2016

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands…

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007.…

302,127 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 14V763000 · Dec 1, 2014

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been…

4,175 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 13E065000 · Nov 29, 2013

Problem: Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas…

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.

397 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 09V277000 · Jul 17, 2009

Problem: Subaru is recalling 15,761 my 2005-2006 baja vehicles. Cracks may develop in the fuel hose connection on the outlet pressure side of the fuel pump.

Risk: Fuel can leak from the hose connection. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump bracket including all nipples with a new and stronger design part. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during september 2009. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

15,761 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2005 Subaru Baja problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags 7
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 6
000
Engine 5
101
Structure 4
101
Suspension 3
101
Engine and Engine Cooling 2
000
Power Train 2
000
Service Brakes 2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2
100
Unknown or Other 2
000
Equipment 1
000
Steering 1
000
Tires 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Structure · Dec 8, 2023 · 174,000 miles · PA

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,…

Air Bags · May 20, 2022 · CA

2005 subaru baja. Consumer writes in regard to airbag safety recall. The consumer stated the recall notices received were fraudulent.

Service Brakes · May 21, 2020 · 121,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact stated that upon taking his vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic discovered that brake fluid was leaking from the brake line. Due to the brake fluid leak, corrosion developed around the brake line. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…

Service Brakes · Apr 17, 2019 · 240,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and the brake alarm indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to gerald jones subaru (706-760-4102, located at 4022 washington rd, augusta, ga…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 9, 2019 · 100,900 miles · PA

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.

Air Bags · Mar 17, 2017 · MI

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…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 27, 2017 · 230,000 miles · TN

Fuel smell when starting vehicle for several months reported to dealership and service refused to do check for cause, though they were paid to.

Air Bags · Dec 13, 2016 · OH

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V359000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…

Air Bags · Oct 12, 2016 · NY

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V359000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…

Air Bags · Oct 5, 2016 · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V358000 (air bags). The parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags · Sep 27, 2016 · VA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V359000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…

Air Bags · Aug 10, 2016 · FL

Received a letter 8-1-16 passenger side air bag stating that parts are unavailable and not to let anyonedrive in the front passenger side. Mfg can not give a date. Will this have no end? They just notified me now and nothing can be resolved?

Other Subaru Baja years

2003 2004 2005 2006

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Subaru Baja have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls covering the 2005 Subaru Baja, the most recent one (20V001000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Subaru Baja?

Based on 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are air bags (7), fuel/propulsion system (6), fuel system, gasoline (6).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2005 Subaru Baja?

Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2005 Subaru Baja?

NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations that include this vehicle, most recently EA15001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture.