Skip to content
Subaru BajaModel year report

2003 Subaru Baja Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,875miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
10campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Subaru Baja (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2003 Subaru Baja. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and air bags (5). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,875 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 172 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Other or unknown (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “My Subaru BAJA has an intermittent braking problem. When travelling at about 10 - 20 miles per hour it will not stop but just slow down even though pressing the brake as hard as I can. The brakes do not go all the way to the floor. Two days ago I almost hit a car when doing about 10 miles per hour and the brakes failed to stop properly. It took the car about 20 feet to stop applying as much pressure as I could to the brakes. It repeated this problem in a safe area of the parking lot 4 more times before working properly. The pavement was dry. The dealer says there is no problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10063628, filed 2004-03, 8,135 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Steering became very difficult, with loud banging/popping noises while turning steering wheel...worsened as vehicle warmed up...would feel as though steering wheel was being jerked out of my hands. Vehicle was repaired by replacing viscous clutch in center differential (at transmission)...was told that many similar cases are appearing on these vehicles...do not know whether old part is available.”

NHTSA complaint #10326281, filed 2010-04, 88,500 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall- I am still waiting to recieve the information to get this issue fixed. This vehicle is driven everyday~ when will my vehicle be fixed. They have known about this issue for years.”

NHTSA complaint #10966017, filed 2017-03

Engine cooling: “When trying to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The dealer reprogrammed the computer/replaced the oxygen sensor and replaced the ecu, but the problem still continued. The consumer stated the timing belt was also replaced, however the vehicle stalled twice.”

NHTSA complaint #10042505, filed 2003-11, 2,575 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,802 and 110,000 miles.

38%0–1013%10–254%25–504%50–758%75–10021%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,875 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’048’10’15’18’22’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Subaru Baja version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual182320$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 10 recalls for the 2003 Subaru Baja → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 172 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 172 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru Baja

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20062455,0009—21—Falling
20053795,00010—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041879,0009—21—Stable
20033828,87510—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Subaru Baja model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Subaru Baja have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2003 Subaru Baja as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Subaru Baja is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.

Has the 2003 Subaru Baja been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Subaru Baja get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Subaru Baja (Baja AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Subaru Baja reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,875 miles and the middle half falls between 6,802 and 110,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.