The most-reported Baja run is 4S4BT62C637 (2003 builds) with 4 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 17% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for Baja model years 2003–2006.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru Baja has 76 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 16% of every Baja complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S4BT62C637•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT61C437•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT61C636•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — | |
| 4S4BT62C667•••••• | 2006 | 2 | — | |
| 4S4BT63C255•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT62C166•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT61C737•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 4S4BT61C036•••••• | 2003 | — | 1 | |
| 4S4BT61C736•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT62C757•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT63C155•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 4S4BT63C445•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 64 Baja runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru Baja the gap between build years is 1.4×: a 2003 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 24 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 31 | 23 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 15 | 14 | — | |
| 2003 | 33 | 22 | 5 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Subaru Baja owners report: Air Bags, 16 of 103 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 7 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Engine | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 16 recall campaigns on the Subaru Baja; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2006. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20V002000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2006 |
| 16V358000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2006 |
| 16V359000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2006 |
| 20V003000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2006 |
| 20V001000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2006 |
| 13E065000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2004–2006 |
20V002000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2003: 17 years on the road before the recall.
The Baja against its rivals
The Baja draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Audi allroad 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Baja | 103 | 76 | 9.7% | |
| Audi allroad | 45 | 30 | 6.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 103 reports on the Subaru Baja, 9.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru Baja | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 103 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 10 (9.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (2.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 67% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru Baja share of that is 103 complaints over 76 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru Baja VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 103 NHTSA complaints from 76 Baja runs and 16 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Baja production run has the most complaints?
4S4BT62C637, a 2003 build, with 4 complaints. The typical Baja run has 1.4.
Which Baja years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Baja get more complaints than the Audi allroad?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Baja against 1.5 for the Audi allroad.
How many Baja complaints involve a crash?
9.7% of 103 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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