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Subaru BajaModel year report

2006 Subaru Baja Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns 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 2006 Subaru Baja (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2006 Subaru Baja. The part named most often is suspension, with 5 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine (4) and engine cooling (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 10 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: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “I had my headlight repaired at the dealership on 3/18/20. While there they did a complimentary safety inspection of the vehicle and it passed with flying colors. I drove the car home and parked it in the carport. I noticed a few days later that the driver's side rear tire was tipped in on the top. I brought the vehicle to a mechanic who informed me that the subframe was totally rusted out and caused the tire to be rubbing against the inside of the wheel well, which ruined a brand new tire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11325099, filed 2020-05, 183,000 miles

Engine: “If the gas cap is not securely tighten and I mean tighten hard. The car will stop operating within 5 sec ish. This is not good, no matter where u are driving. Not enuff time to pull over safely. This has happened to me at least 4-5 times now.”

NHTSA complaint #11317580, filed 2020-03, 103,000 miles

Engine cooling: “2006 Subaru BAJA turbo with several problems including lunging forward and randomly sputtering and hesitating.. Consumer states that the problems began when the vehicle had 707 miles and have continued. The consumer stated on one occasion, there was no throttle response. Somtimes the vehicle would idle high and the check engine light would frequently come on and stay on.”

NHTSA complaint #10253489, filed 2008-12, 707 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall on my vehicle is still not repaired. I have been driving my vehicle for over 10 years and live in a very humid region of south eastern maine. How can it be acceptable for Subaru to not have to supply alternate transportation for customers during this time when it is know a serious injury or death is very likely to occur with the slightest auto accident? Please help me find a means to expedite this repair or be provided with alternate transportation until this repair can be completed. Thank you”

NHTSA complaint #10895491, filed 2016-08

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,500 and 106,432 miles.

26%0–1021%10–250%25–5016%50–755%75–10026%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,000 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.

2006200862015201720192022
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 2006 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-cyl5-speed manual202622$3,050
Baja AWD2.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192521$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 9 recalls for the 2006 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. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 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 2006 Subaru Baja have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2006 Subaru Baja as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Subaru Baja is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 5 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2006 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 2006 Subaru Baja get?

The EPA rates the 2006 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 2006 Subaru Baja reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 7,500 and 106,432 miles; 47% 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.