The 2005 Subaru Baja has 11 recalls, the most serious being a passenger frontal airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a severe injury risk to occupants.
The airbag issue accounts for the majority of these recalls. The passenger-side airbag inflator can fail violently during deployment, scattering sharp metal fragments toward the driver and other occupants rather than cushioning them. In some cases, long-term exposure to high heat and humidity degrades the inflator's propellant over time, making an overly forceful or explosive deployment more likely as the vehicle ages. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple recall campaigns exist for this single defect. If this repair has not been completed, the airbag poses a risk any time it deploys.
The remaining two recalls both involve the fuel system. A cracked fuel pump nipple can allow gasoline to leak from the pump body, and separately, cracks can develop at the hose connection on the outlet side of the fuel pump, allowing fuel to escape from that joint as well. In either case, fuel collecting near hot engine components or a spark creates a fire risk. Both defects affect the same general area of the fuel delivery system, and either one can result in a fire under the hood.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity can degrade the chemical propellant in the passenger front airbag over time. This may cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, potentially sending fragments toward occupants and damaging the airbag assembly.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front airbag inflator assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes in these cold-weather states.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the propellant degrades after exposure to humidity and temperature changes over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump nipple can crack and leak fuel. Leaking fuel near an ignition source could cause a fire.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the fuel pump bracket and nipple with an updated part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Cracks can develop in the fuel hose connection on the outlet pressure side of the fuel pump.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump bracket and nipples with a stronger design part at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
