repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 Subaru BajaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2004 Subaru Baja, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-361 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 2, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Subaru Baja has problems
18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Fuel system, gasoline
4Fuel/propulsion system
2Air bags
1Engine and engine cooling
1Power train
1Seat belts
1Service brakes, hydraulic
1Steering
1Vehicle speed control
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2004 Subaru Baja recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Baja year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Baja median. How we score
'03'04'05'06
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Subaru Baja safety ratings
2004 Subaru Baja 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Subaru Baja, and the recalls they led to.
- FUEL PUMP LEAKSLed to recall 09V-277
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- FUEL PUMP LEAKNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-700
In owners' words
What Baja owners report
Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I HAVE A 2004 SUBARU BAJA AND FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. VAPORS WILL FILL CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RISK OF FIRE AND INTOXICATING FUMES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS NOT AND WILL NOT MAKE A COMMITMENT ON A RECALL. 2005 AND 2006…
I HAVE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE RIGHT OF THE ALTERNATOR. I AM ASSUMING ONE OR BOTH OF THESE FUEL LINES ARE CRACKED. THE FUEL LEAKS WHEN IT IS COLD AND STOPS LEAKING WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP. MY BAJA IS ALSO HARD TO START WHEN COLD. I'M THINKING THE FUEL LINES ARE…
MY 2004 BAJA TURBO HAS THE GAS LEAK PROBLEM IN THE MANIFOLD AREA. HAVE REPLACED HOSES AND CLAMPS 3 TIMES ON THE TWO THAT ARE VISIBLE. GAS POOLS ON THE MANIFOLD FROM A SLOW LEAK, FUMES IN THE CABIN, MUST DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS DURING COLDER TEMPS, PROBABLY 20 AND BELOW. FUMES UPON…
Own a 2004 Baja?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.