2004 Subaru Baja

18 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Oct 30, 2017Failure Oct 29, 2017158,200 milesGolden, COElectrical system, Vehicle speed control

   THE THROTTLE PEDAL LOOSES SIGNAL TO THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY THROTTLE INPUT. A CHECK ENGINE CODE P2138 ALSO OCCURS AS THE THROTTLE LOOSES CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM IS MOST EVIDENT IN WINTER MONTHS WITH HIGHER HUMIDITY AND HIGH TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION. EACH TIME THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED THE CAR HAS BEEN MOVING BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS RESULTING IN BEING FORCED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS TO NOT ONLY PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE BUT HOSE AROUND IT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL POWER.

   NHTSA complaint 11041437
2. Filed Oct 16, 2017Failure Sep 15, 2016Traverse City, MIAir bags

   I CALLED MY LOCATION DEAER IN TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN OVER A YEAR AGO THEY SAID THEY WOULD PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM OVER A YEAR AGO ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RECAL

   NHTSA complaint 11033920
3. Filed Mar 25, 2017Failure Feb 4, 201791,000 milesNEW Lebanon, OHFuel/propulsion system

   FUEL LEAKS AROUND CLAMPED RUBBER HOSES IN AND AROUND INTAKE MANIFOLD ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THE FUMES FROM THESE LEAKS ARE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED AND ENTER THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE VENTS. I HAVE GREAT CONCERN FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.

   NHTSA complaint 10968470
4. Filed Oct 15, 2016Failure Jun 10, 2016Medford, NYAir bags

   TAKATA RECALL-HAVE BEEN WAITING 4 MONTHS-NO ONE CAN SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE? I THINK 4 MONTHS IS LONG ENOUGH.

   NHTSA complaint 10916214
5. Filed May 18, 2016Failure May 18, 2016Marshfield, VTElectronic stability control (esc), Steering, Wheels

   "GHOST WALKING" I PURCHASED THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO FROM MY FATHER WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER FOR THE LARGEST SHIPPING COMPANY IN THE US AND HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR THEM FOR OVER 30 YEARS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR HE CAUTIONED ME THAT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WANDERS WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE DOESN'T PROVIDE CONSISTENT TRACTION TO BOTH REAR TIRES. THIS OCCURS ON ANY SURFACE AT VARYING DEGREES WHILE MOVING STRAIGHT ON A LEVEL ROAD, UP HILL, DOWN HILL, ON CORNERS, WHILE ACCELERATING/BRAKING OR COASTING. EXAMPLES WHICH CAUSE THIS ARE SMALL TO LARGE POTHOLES, CRACKS IN THE ROAD SURFACE, DRIVING WITH ONE TIRE ON THE PAINTED LINE IN THE ROAD (VERY NOTICEABLE SURGING AND CAN BE SCARY WHEN THE ROAD IS WET), SAND OR GRAVEL ON THE SHOULDER OF A PAVED ROAD EFFECTING ONE SIDE OF THE CAR ONLY, PUDDLES, SLIGHT SNOW/SLUSH COVER, ETC. HAVING HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS IT IS SOMETHING I EXPERIENCE DAILY, AND THE CAR IS DOWNRIGHT SCARY, UNSAFE IN SOME CONDITIONS. I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY GOOD DRIVER, I'M 35 AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DESPITE DRIVING ABOUT 35K MILES A YEAR. THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS, I HAVE NO DOUBT MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT, I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER. I CANNOT SELL THIS CAR WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE UNLESS I CONVEY THIS SAFETY HAZARD TO A POTENTIAL BUYER SO THE VALUE HAS ALSO BEEN DESTROYED BY THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND CROSS MY FINGERS THAT SUBARU OWNS UP TO IT BEFORE ANY MORE PEOPLE (OR MYSELF) SUFFER THE LOSS OF PROPERTY OR LIFE. I WILL ALSO ADD THAT IT GOES THROUGH REAR TIRES QUICKER THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE DESPITE BEING IN PROPER ALIGNMENT. AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, IT SEEMS TO BE EXAGGERATED IF THERE IS ANY AMOUNT OF ADDED CARGO WEIGHT OR ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS. STEP UP SUBARU, PREVIOUS LOYAL OWNERS ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES IN MY AREA.

   NHTSA complaint 10865610
6. Filed Feb 25, 2015Failure Feb 17, 201590,000 milesVienna, VAFuel/propulsion system

   STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN STARTED IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND PERSISTING EVEN ONCE CAR HAS WARMED UP. SO SEVERE AS TO CAUSE NAUSEA AND FOGGING OF INTERIOR WINDOWS. HAD TO DRIVE IN VERY COLD WEATHER WITH WINDOWS DOWN TO VENT FUMES. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS LEAKING FUEL LINES AROUND INTAKE MANIFOLD (EXACTLY LIKE RECALL FOR 05 AND 06 MODEL YEARS). $1200 REPAIR ESTIMATE. *JS

   NHTSA complaint 10690709
7. Filed Dec 11, 2014Failure Nov 29, 2013102,000 milesChicopee, MAFuel system, Gasoline

   FUEL LEAK SAME AS 2005-2006 RECALL. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10663615
8. Filed Nov 19, 2014Failure Nov 17, 2014121,764 milesDillon, COFuel/propulsion system

   I NOTICED AN EXTREME SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE UP ON AN ESPECIALLY COLD MORNING (<10 DEGREES), AND I FOUND THE LEAK COMING FROM ONE OF THE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE SMELL IS VERY, VERY EXTREME IN THE EARLY MORNINGS WHEN IT'S COLDEST, BAD ENOUGH THAT MY BOYFRIEND GETS NAUSEOUS FROM IT, BUT IT HASN'T GONE AWAY AT ALL DESPITE IT GETTING WARMER RECENTLY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10659506
9. Filed Nov 13, 2014Failure Nov 13, 201450,000 milesSUN Prairie, WIFuel/propulsion system

   WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW 40 DEGREES MY 2004 SUBARU BAJA TURBO BEGINS TO LEAK FUEL. IT IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE MANIFOLD. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG IN THE CABIN AND IN THE GARAGE WHEN PARKED. THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP FROM THE FUMES BEING SUCKED WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY WINTER ALL WINTER FOR THE 4 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10654678
10. Filed Jan 1, 2014Failure Dec 18, 2013NEW Ipswich, NHFuel system, Gasoline

    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 BAJAS HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I CANNOT GET IT FIXED BECAUSE MINE IS A 2004. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10558076
11. Filed Feb 10, 2012Failure Feb 10, 201060,000 milesRuidoso, NMFuel system, Gasoline

    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 SUCKING IN AIR WHERE CRACKED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10447382
12. Filed Feb 19, 2011Failure Dec 1, 200979,000 milesMacungie, PWFuel system, Gasoline

    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 STARTUP AND LASTS ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN FIRST OCCURRED. NOW WHEN OCCURS FUMES DO NOT DIMINISH. HAVE CLEANED MANIFOLD WITH ENGINE CLEANER TO REMOVE RESIDUAL FUEL SMELL. DEALER HAD MENTIONED THAT SOMETHING WAS INCORRECT ABOUT FUEL LINES WHEN CAR WAS IN FOR UNRELATED REPAIR DURING WARMER TEMPS. A NOTE WAS ON THE REPAIR INVOICE BUT SERVICE ADVISOR HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANT AS THE MECHANICS HAD ALREADY GONE FOR THE DAY. I DECIDED TO ENTER THIS AFTER FINDING SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED.

    NHTSA complaint 10385688
13. Filed Dec 8, 2009Failure Oct 13, 200998,000 milesHelena, MTFuel system, Filler pipe and cap, Hoses, Lines/piping

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU BAJA. WHEN THE TEMPERATURES GREW COLDER, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. THE STRONG GAS SMELL WOULD PERSIST FOR AN HOUR OR O AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS SO STRONG, THE CONSUMER HAS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING RAW FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SO MUCH THAT THE RAW GAS WAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE FUEL LINES AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. WHEN THE NEXT COLD TEMPERATURE RETURNED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED THE RAW GAS AGAIN. RAW GAS WAS POOLING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THE FUEL LINES WERE STILL LEAKING BUT IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $300.00. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC MANAGED TO FIX THE WORST PART OF THE LEAK, BUT SEVERAL LINES LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD COULD NOT BE REACHED. WHILE MUCH IMPROVED, THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE LEAK PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO A RECENT RECALL THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL, BUT THEY WERE WAITING TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. UPDATED 01/22/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10295002
14. Filed Oct 16, 2009Failure Oct 15, 200950,000 milesFletcher, NCFuel system, Gasoline

    I HAVE A 2004 SUBARU BAJA AND FUEL VAPORS EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. 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 BAJAS HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I CANNOT GET A FIX BECAUSE MINE IS A 2004. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10288628
15. Filed Dec 9, 2008Failure Oct 21, 200831,000 milesPerryville, MDDriveline

    OUR 2004 SUBARU BAJA HAD THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS AND COULD NEVER BE FIXED. WE ARE STUCK 3100 MILES FROM HOME NOW FOR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE WHOLE DRIVELINE AND ALL DAMAGED COMPONENTS AS THIS WAS AND HAD BEEN NEVER NOTED. THEY ADMITTED THESE WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY CAREFULLY HID THE FACTS BY TAKING ALL DEFECTIVE DRIVELINES TRASHING THEM AND NOW SELLING THE NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AT A 650 PRICETAG, PLUS THE THOUSANDS IN DAMAGE IT DID TO OTHER PARTS. HOW CAN THESE PEOPLE GET AWAY WITH THIS SINCE IF THAT DRIVELINE BREAKS IN TRAFFIC AND THEY HAVE, IT CAN REALLY HURT THE DRIVER OR OTHERS. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR OVER ONE MONTH BEFORE THEY ADMITTED THIS WAS A PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY DIDN'T CARE, PROVE IT. WE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE BANK PICKED THE CAR UP SINCE WE HAD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS COST US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS NOW AND WILL CONTINUE TO COST US AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE IT MAY HURT OR COST AS THEY CONTINUE TO HIDE THE FACTS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10251241
16. Filed Jul 15, 2008Failure Jul 1, 200841,647 milesLynchburg, TNEngine and engine cooling

    ENGINE LAMP COMES ON.*TR

    NHTSA complaint 10234353
17. Filed Aug 24, 2004Failure Aug 1, 2004Watertown, MAService brakes, Abs warning light

    URGENT REQUEST FOR AUTOMOBILE RECALL, TAIL LIGHT PROBLEM. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SUBARU BAJA'S BRAKE LIGHTS DUE TO THE SOLAR REFLECTIONS IN THE LIGHT COVERINGS. MANUFACTURES HAVE INCORPORATTED A HIGHLY RELECTIVE DESIGN ALONG WITH A SMALL BRAKE LIGHT AREA. *TC

    NHTSA complaint 10095186
18. Filed Feb 19, 20044,000 milesDublin, CARear/other

    WHEN THE DRIVER PULLED ON THE SEAT BELT LOCATED IN THE REAR THE HEADLINER CAVED IN. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10059371