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 service brakes, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Baja have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

2003 Subaru Baja

○ Not enough data

2003 Subaru Baja
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:12.817Z

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: 38
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 2
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

2003: 38 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	38
2004	18
2005	37
2006	24

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

24% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

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, 2024-06-05

Also filed under Steering

Rear brake line has corroded at the 4 way connector and failed, similar to other models and years that have been recalled. Vehicle is registered and operated in rhode…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-23

Power train

21% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Starting dec 2004 problems keeping alignments/tires (Mileage 28,176), ending in May 2013 with complete rear wheel cradle & drive train replacement (Mileage 182,837) after the drive line dropped out on to a brace at approx 35 MPH after repeated...

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-16

Also filed under Wheels

Air bags

13% · 5 reports

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing catalytic convertor and engine.

Suspension

8% · 3 reports

FIRE

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2002-09-12Engine and engine cooling02V240000 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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2003-01-08Power train02V282000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
R

2015-01-15Air bags14V763000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
R

2015-06-17Air bags15V323000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-08-24Air bags16V361000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-08-24Air bags16V359000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Subaru Baja — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 8 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 02V240000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 02V282000 · Power train
Recall 14V763000 · Air bags
Recall 15V323000 · Air bags
Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
Recall 16V361000 · Air bags
Recall 16V359000 · Air bags
Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

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 service brakes, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Baja have?: 10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.