2005 Subaru Baja Owner Complaints

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, he became aware that the rear driver’s side tire was leaned in toward the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear subframe was fractured and missing parts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.

NHTSA ID

11559168

Incident

Dec 6, 2023

Mileage

174,000 mi

2005 SUBARU BAJA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED WERE FRAUDULENT.

NHTSA ID

11465414

Incident

May 20, 2022

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 VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11325421

Incident

May 20, 2020

Mileage

121,000 mi

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 30907) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11196900

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

240,000 mi

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 ID

11175853

Incident

Feb 8, 2019

Mileage

100,900 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 ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10966549

Incident

Mar 17, 2017

FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE REFUSED TO DO CHECK FOR CAUSE, THOUGH THEY WERE PAID TO.

NHTSA ID

10957381

Incident

Feb 26, 2017

Mileage

230,000 mi

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 FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10935024

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

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 DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10915484

Incident

Jul 10, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID

10913974

Incident

Oct 5, 2016

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 FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10909875

Incident

Jul 9, 2016

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?

NHTSA ID

10894817

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

I RECENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, SO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME AND UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING EARS HAVE ROTTED OUT.

NHTSA ID

10892762

Incident

Jul 25, 2016

Mileage

85,000 mi

IT IS A COMMONLY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS OF THIS ERA THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE RUBBER FUEL LINES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WILL BEGIN TO LOSE THEIR ELASTICITY AS THEY AGE AND LEAK PROFUSELY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. MECHANICS KNOW THIS AND IT IS DISCUSSED EXTENSIVELY ON THE SUBARU FORUMS. THIS HAPPENED TO MY 2005 SUBARU BAJA WHEN I WAS TRAVELING IN THE MOUNTAINS. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, FUEL WOULD BEGIN PUDDLING ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE DUE TO THE FUEL VAPORS PRODUCED. AS THE ENGINE WARMED THE RUBBER WOULD SWELL AND STOP THE LEAK AFTER A GOOD 30 MINUTES OR LONGER DEPENDING ON THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. I HAD TO TRAVEL WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AT THE READY AND COULD NOT KEEP ANY VENTS OPEN IN THE CABIN. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD NOT BE REMEDIED UNTIL I WAS BACK FROM MY TRIP. SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO FOR A SMALL PART NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND TANK BECAUSE IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO LEAK, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THIS FAR MORE PERVASIVE ISSUE AT ALL. THE REMEDY REQUIRES A DIFFICULT AND COSTLY REMOVAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE RUBBER LINES THAT RUN BETWEEN THE HARD PIPES ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL CIRCUIT. I SUSPECT THIS IS WHY THEY ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL. IT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID

10865217

Incident

Dec 24, 2015

Mileage

100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09277000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10840380

Incident

Jan 31, 2013

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE PROBLEM,PROBLEM PERSISTS. AFRAID CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE

NHTSA ID

10839990

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

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 ID

10782176

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

MY CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING, SO I HAD MY NEPHEW (A MECHANIC) REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT - TWICE. MY NEXT STEP WAS TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER, AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT OVER. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP, AND HAD DROPLETS AROUND MY HEAD GASKET, BUT IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT (THAT WAS AT 98,000 MILES). I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS TAKING MY 91 YEAR OLD MOM, AND 17 YEAR OLD DOG TO L.A. FROM SACRAMENTO, AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE. THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY WITH THE ASSURANCE THE CAR WOULD BE FINE. I OVERHEATED GOING OVER THE GRAPEVINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I'VE HAD THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, TIMING BELT REPLACED, AND IT'S STILL OVERHEATING. IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO, IT STARTED LEAKING SO I LOOKED UP ONLINE ANY COMPLAINTS AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING HEAD-GASKETS, AND THAT SUBARU HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS. TOO BAD FOR ME, HUH? WHEN I TOOK IT BACK INTO THE DEALER (AT 104,000 MILES) THEY TOLD ME THE EXTENSION DIDN'T APPLY TO MY CAR. NOT ONLY DO I RESENT THE FACT THAT I FEEL RIPPED OFF, I RESENT THEM SENDING ME OUT THE DOOR WHEN IT WASN'T SAFE TO BE STUCK ON THE FREEWAY WITH AN ELDERLY PARENT, AND ELDERLY DOG.

NHTSA ID

10717466

Incident

Apr 7, 2014

Mileage

95,000 mi

IT'S BEEN COLD IN MA LIKE PAST WINTERS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SINCE OWNING MY BAJA FOR 10 YEARS NOW, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I FIRST START UP MY CAR WITH THE HEAT VENTS OPEN TO WARM IT INSIDE, THE CAR FILLS WITH STRONG FUEL/GAS FUMES. I TOOK MY CAR TO BE SERVICED AT A SUBARU DEALER AND THEY CHECKED ALL THE FUEL LINES; TIGHTENED THEM, BUT COULD NOT FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. SO NOW I RECIRCULATE THE CABIN AIR AND DON'T DRAW IN FRESH AIR TO TRY TO KEEP THE FUMES OUT. IT STILL CONTINUES TO EMIT FUMES WHEN IT'S COLD OUT, BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED IN THE PAST...10 YEARS OF COLD WINTERS AND NOW THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH GAS FUMES? SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG AND I DO FEAR A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680293

Incident

Jan 13, 2015

Mileage

107,000 mi

DURING THE AFTERNOON OF THE DECEMBER 21ST ICE STORM IN BOZEMAN MONTANA, MY 2005 SUBARU BAJA SLID OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A STEEP INCLINE. ALTHOUGH I ONLY SUSTAINED BUMPS AND BRUISES, THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN FATAL. THE WINDSHIELD WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED, THE CAR AXLES WERE BROKEN, THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THREE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. I WONDERED WHY THE AIRBAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE SITUATION I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2005 SUBARU AIRBAGS. SUPPOSEDLY A FAULTY RELEASE SWITCH AND POTENTIALLY A RELEASE OF METAL SHARDS UPON DEPLOYMENT. MAYBE I WAS LUCKY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. I CONTACTED SUBARU TO SEE IF IN LIGHT OF THIS SITUATION, THEY WOULD POTENTIALLY CONSIDER ASSISTING ME WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. AFTER A 2 WEEK DELAY, ROB THE CSR TOLD ME THAT PER PAGE XXX OF THE OWNER?S MANUAL THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT OR BACK. ALSO, ALTHOUGH I READ THAT MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HE SAID IT WAS NOT. APPARENTLY, THE COMPANY FEEL NO OBLIGATION WHAT SO EVER TO ASSIST WITH THE SITUATION. POSSIBLY THEY WOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION IF I WAS INJURED OR DEAD. I AM NOW AN EX-SUBARU CUSTOMER. I WILL BE SEEKING AN ATTORNEY TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10670946

Incident

Dec 21, 2014

Mileage

148,000 mi

TIMING BELT AND ASSOCIATED PARTS WERE CHANGED BY LICENSED SUBARU MECHANIC. IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING WARMED UP, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CRUISE LIGHT WAS FLASHING.DROVE CAR TO PAINT SHOP IN SAN DIEGO AND LEFT FOR FIVE DAYS FOR PAINTING. DROVE THE CAR UP TO LONG BEACH TO SHIP TO HAWAII. BAJA BURNED 3/4 TANK OF GAS AND DIED OFF AND ON.WITH STRONG SMELL OF GAS.FILLED COSTCO GAS PREMIUM IN HAWAII AND DROVE HOME WITH CAR DYING OFF AND ONN WITH STRONG SMELL OF GAS. IN THE MORNING, STARTED CAT TO WARM CAR UP AND GAS SMELL WAS EXTREMELY STRONG AND WHITE SMOKE ALSO APPEARED OFF AND ON. IN TWO DAYS AND DRIVING ONLY 54 MILES THE GAS GAUGE WAS BELOW 1/2 TANK. IN THE PROCESS NOW WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC TO REPAIR. FINAL STEP WILL BE SUBARU DEALER. NOTE: BEEN GOOGLING THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 SUBARU ENGINE WHERE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. I THINK THIS MUST BE A DESIGN DEFICIENCY ON THE SUBARU ENGINE. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640061

Incident

Jul 16, 2010

Mileage

161,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PRESENT DURING THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS INTERMITTENTLY PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID

10614477

Incident

Jul 7, 2010

Mileage

55,000 mi

THIS WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED BELOW FREEZING I HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN MY CAR. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN WARMING THE VEHICLE UP IN THE MORNING. I NOTICED THE SMELL ON BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE CAR. ON THE OUTSIDE IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE BEHIND THE REAR DOOR I INVESTIGATED BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY FUEL LEAKS OR THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10572649

Incident

Dec 16, 2013

Mileage

203,000 mi

DURING COLD WEATHER A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10566896

Incident

Dec 16, 2013

Mileage

118,000 mi

STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30 F. FUEL PUMP RECALL DONE BEFORE THE SMELL STARTED. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUEL LINES TIGHTENED. FUMES WORSE THIS YEAR THAN EVER. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NO RECALL. DEALER TOLD ME TODAY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM & REQUIRES FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT @ BETWEEN 600 TO 700 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558628

Incident

Jan 4, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi