Most common 2006 Subaru Baja problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Baja complaints by model year
Best Baja years: 2004. Years to avoid: 2003. Compare all years →
2006 Subaru Baja recalls (9)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland,…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New…
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Show 3 more recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,…
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru is recalling 15,761 my 2005-2006 baja vehicles. Cracks May develop in the fuel hose connection on the outlet pressure side of the fuel pump.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump bracket including all nipples with a new and stronger design part. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2009.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2006 Subaru Baja:
Fuel pump leak
Cracks May develop in the fuel hose connection (nipple) on the outlet (pressure) side of the fuel pump.this condition can result in the leakage of gasoline from the fuel pump.as a result of additional reports and other information provided by Subaru in response to the agency's investigation, this investigation has been upgraded to engineering analysis ea 09-007.
Fuel pump leaks
Subaru will conduct a safety recall (09v-277) on all 15, 633 model year (my) 2005 and my 2006 baja vehicles, including turbo and non-turbo models.Subaru has identified a defect in which cracks develop in the fuel hose connection (nipple) on the outlet (pressure) side of the fuel pump.this condition can result in a pressurized leak of gasoline from the fuel pump.Subaru's analysis of sample parts collected from the…
What 2006 Subaru Baja owners say
Engine & cooling
I have a 2006 Baja turbo, obsidian black, 5 speed. It has (60K) on the odometer. I bought it new and loved it from day one. However, February of last year that love was lost. The CEL came on and I went to autozone to have the code pulled. It showed po304. I was told it was a misfire on cylinder #4. I asked the guy there what the cause could be. He said it could be anything from a fuel injector, to the coil pack or a valve issue. I looked up on this forum and there were multiple cases that pulled up. I read what fixes worked for some and not for others. I tried injector cleaner. That did nothing. I installed a new coil pack on cylinder four. It ran better for a short time and then the CEL came back on. I replaced all four spark plugs. Once again a short term fix, just a few miles. Finally, I installed a new fuel injector. Again better, then much worse. …
I had the head gaskets and timing belt replaced at 142,000 miles. Brand new. I put oil in my car every time I filled up with gas, as I was told subarus burn a lot of oil. The low light never came on, never had a check engine light come on. Three months later, at 145,000, without any indication that something is wrong, going 70 on the freeway, in 5th gear, I hear a "pop" sound and my car starts to lose power, smoke is coming from the engine. I get pulled over, safely thank goodness, and car dies. No longer will turn on. Smoke is pouring from the engine. I am towed to the mechanics where they tell me they "think" a rod bearing through a rod through the engine. Not sure is this could be caused by the recall, but something did. I'm quite frustrated at this car, not to mention, the cost. So. I am checking. Thank you.
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. I now have to have the whole subframe replaced in order to be able to drive the vehicle as the subframe totally rusted out. The same thing happened to a friend of mine who had a 2003 Baja. She ended up junking the vehicle. I have not received a quote from the mechanic yet on the repairs.
While driving a Subaru Baja 2006 model I swerved and rolled over after fish tailing. I also almost did the same in a 2005 model but only came up off two wheels but did not roll it , even though it was close. I suspect a tendency for the Baja to roll over is a design flaw.
Brakes
Brake fluid low (light on), added fluid. A week later the fluid is low again. Found recalls for this year Outback with similar potential problem. Upon inspection it appears that fluid is leaking at or near the coupler near the passenger rear wheel well. The BAJA is mechanically the same as the Outback. This model should be included on theses recalls. NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V110000 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000
Rusted brakes. The rear rotors are pitted and need to be exchanged, according to the dealer, after 22 months and 19,800 miles. No warranty, dealer sees this as normal wear. According to other authorized repair shop, brakes are fine, shoes still at 50 %, brakes do not need replacement. Never had a car with rust pitted rotors before, especially not with such low mileage and age.
2006 Subaru Baja engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Subaru Baja a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Baja rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Baja at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Subaru Baja?
The engine & cooling — 8 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the suspension (5) and brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Baja have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2006 Subaru Baja, the most recent from January 2, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Baja?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003. See the full Subaru Baja years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Subaru Baja problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.