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2006 Subaru BajaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 24 owner complaints about the 2006 Subaru Baja, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-359 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.

2006 Subaru Baja
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls9Lowest repair rate 63%Owner complaints244 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 1, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Subaru Baja has problems

24 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension51
Engine and engine cooling40
Engine40
Air bags30
Fuel/propulsion system20
Structure21
Power train20
Steering20
Wheels10
6 other systems62

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2006 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.

82%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-001 · Jan 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles · 212,286 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

73%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-002 · Jan 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles · 93,276 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

69%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-003 · Jan 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles · 76,616 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

85%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-026 · Jan 11, 2017 · 69,529 vehicles · 58,760 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
71%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-016 · Jan 10, 2017 · 62,764 vehicles · 44,751 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-014 · Jan 10, 2017 · 53,480 vehicles · 50,046 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

63%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-359 · May 25, 2016 · 146,010 vehicles · 92,119 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

83%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-358 · May 25, 2016 · 302,127 vehicles · 249,595 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2006 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

2006 Subaru Baja safety ratings

2006 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Subaru Baja, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL PUMP LEAKSEA09007 · closed Jul 20, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-277
  2. FUEL PUMP LEAKPE08064 · closed May 21, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Baja owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.…
Complaint 11325099 · May 19, 2020 · 183,000 miles
SUB FRAME ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE AT UPPER SUPPORT MAIN ARM RESULTING MAKING TIRE WOBBLE AND RUBBING ON STRUT SPRING.
Complaint 11078750 · Mar 12, 2018 · 135,000 miles
SUB FRAME ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE AT UPPER SUPPORT MAIN ARM RESULTING MAKING TIRE WOBBLE AND RUBBING INNER TIRE WELL. IF NOT NOTICED IN TIME TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT COLLAPSING MAIN SUPPORT ARM CAUSING A CRASH
Complaint 10723933 · Jun 8, 2015 · 77,231 miles

Own a 2006 Baja?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.