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Subaru BajaModel year report

2004 Subaru Baja Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Subaru Baja (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Subaru Baja. The part named most often is fuel system, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and brakes (1). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,000 miles. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 173 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 8 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 57 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I have fuel leaking from the fuel lines on the drivers side to the right of the alternator. I am assuming one or both of these fuel lines are cracked. The fuel leaks when it is cold and stops leaking when the engine warms up. My BAJA is also hard to start when cold. I'm thinking the fuel lines are sucking in air where cracked.”

NHTSA complaint #10447382, filed 2012-02, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “I called my location deaer in traverse city michigan over a year ago they said they would put me on a waiting list have not heard from them over a year ago on the passenger air bag recal”

NHTSA complaint #11033920, filed 2017-10

Brakes: “Urgent request for automobile recall, tail light problem. The consumer was unable to see the Subaru BAJA's brake lights due to the solar reflections in the light coverings. Manufactures have incorporatted a highly relective design along with a small brake light area.”

NHTSA complaint #10095186, filed 2004-08

Electrical system: “The throttle pedal looses signal to throttle body causing the car to be unresponsive to any throttle input. A check engine code p2138 also occurs as the throttle looses connection. The problem is most evident in winter months with higher humidity and high temperature fluctuation. Each time the issue has occurred the car has been moving both on city streets and highways resulting in being forced to pull over and restart the car. This issue is dangerous to not only people in the vehicle but hose around it when the car suddenly looses all power.”

NHTSA complaint #11041437, filed 2017-10, 158,200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 98,000 miles.

8%0–100%10–2515%25–5023%50–7531%75–10015%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2004200820092011201220144201520162017
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 2004 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 automatic192521$3,200
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,200
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual162218$4,550
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162118$4,550

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 9 recalls for the 2004 Subaru Baja → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 173 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 173 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 2004 Subaru Baja have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Subaru Baja as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Subaru Baja is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 2004 Subaru Baja been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Subaru Baja get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Subaru Baja (Baja AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Subaru Baja reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 98,000 miles; 23% 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.