MYRModel Year Report

2003 Subaru Baja

○ Not enough data
2003 Subaru Baja
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:40:44.525Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Baja Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2003: 38 complaints 2003 2004: 18 complaints 2004 2005: 37 complaints 2005 2006: 24 complaints 2006
2003: 38 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200338
200418
200537
200624

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 3 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

At the beginning of April, I purchased a 2003 Subaru Baja from Roseville Auto Center for $10,500 and was reassured by the salesman that it passed a safety inspection and that there were no leaks in the head gasket.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240605

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150113

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TOTAL ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT LESS THAN 20 MPH ON DRY SURFACE. FIRST ATTEMPT TO BRAKE MET WITH UNDUE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTANCE WITH NO STOPPING ACTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20031025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 3 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My cars abs light came on and the speedometer, rpm gauge, and electrical system started failing while driving. I immediately pulled over. The car caught fire around the alternator.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260701

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020912 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE

Campaign 02V240000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030108 — power train

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR V

Campaign 02V282000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150115 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51.

Campaign 14V763000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150617 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015.

Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160722 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

Campaign 16V358000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160824 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16.

Campaign 16V361000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160824 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

Campaign 16V359000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Subaru Baja — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V240000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V282000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V763000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V358000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V361000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V359000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 Subaru Baja reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Baja?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Baja have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.