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Subaru BajaModel year report

2005 Subaru Baja Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,000miles, 25 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
21 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Subaru Baja (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2005 Subaru Baja. The part named most often is fuel system, with 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and engine (5). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 143 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump, 2 NHTSA investigations and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 9 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 30 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: Steering (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11175853, filed 2019-02, 100,900 miles

Air bags: “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 distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #10915484, filed 2016-10

Engine: “My vehicle has had several defects/problems. The engine valve leaked, check engine lights, auto transmission problems since first purchased inherent to vehicle. Vehicle burns engine oil and too hot.. I am afraid to drive car long distances I currently have 113,000 miles on auto.”

NHTSA complaint #10782176, filed 2015-10, 50,000 miles

Brakes: “(1) brakes failed to engage in a routine traffic stop. (2) ABS feature disengaged brakes over bumpy surface, disabling my ability to stop and causing my car to collide with the car in front of me. (3) Subaru denies any culpability although this problem is well known among Subaru owners. My brakes have failed in this manner many times previously, but this was the first time involving an actual collision.”

NHTSA complaint #10174990, filed 2006-12, 31,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 130,000 miles.

8%0–104%10–258%25–5016%50–7516%75–10028%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,000 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.

’05’07’10’159’17’20’23
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 2005 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 manual172319$4,350
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 10 recalls for the 2005 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. 143 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 143 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 2005 Subaru Baja have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2005 Subaru Baja as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Subaru Baja is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.

Has the 2005 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 2005 Subaru Baja get?

The EPA rates the 2005 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 2005 Subaru Baja reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 130,000 miles; 20% 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.