Subaru

Baja

Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD · model years 2003 to 2006

The verdict

Best year: 2004. complaints: 18, below this model's typical 31; recalls: 9, below this model's typical 10.

Worst year: 2003. complaints: 38, about 2.5x this model's typical 15; recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru Baja
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2003	2Gas	20	$3,100	10	38	POWER TRAIN 16%, AIR BAGS 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11%
complaints: 38, about 2.5x this model's typical 15 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 18 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	4Gas	19.5	$3,625	9	18	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 29%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 18, below this model's typical 31 recalls: 9, below this model's typical 10 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	4Gas	20	$3,500	10	37	AIR BAGS 16%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 37, above this model's typical 31 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 63 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	20	$3,500	9	24	SUSPENSION 15%, ENGINE 12%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%
complaints: 24, below this model's typical 31 recalls: 9, below this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2003: 20 to 2006: 20

Owner complaints2003: 38 to 2006: 24

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru Baja to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.