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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2003 Subaru Baja

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

6

6 current

Combined

11.5L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,565

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2020001 · manufacturer campaign TKC-20

2 January 2020

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003–2006 · Forester 2009 · Impreza 2004–2014 · Legacy 2003–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the passenger-front airbag inflator. The passenger-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

23,159 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2016257 · manufacturer campaign TKC-16

25 May 2016

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003–2004 · Legacy 2003–2004 · Outback 2003–2004

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect, and replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator as necessary. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.

10,837 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2014285 · manufacturer campaign WQL-48

4 July 2014

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003 · Impreza 2004 · Legacy 2003–2004 · Outback 2003–2004

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflator.

1,112 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2003117 · manufacturer campaign WWM-96

30 April 2003

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003 · Legacy 2000–2003 · Outback 2000–2003

What is wrong

On certain vehicles operated in the "salt-belt" provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. The rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, may result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe.

What the dealer will do

Dealer will clean and rust-proof with anti-rust oil and anti-rust wax.

12,450 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2002200 · manufacturer campaign WWK-94

5 November 2002

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2002–2003 · Forester 2002–2003 · Impreza 2002–2003 · Legacy 2002–2003 · and 1 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the parking pawl actuating rod ("parking rod") spring retainer may be defective. The parking pawl may not engage the parking gear fully and could cause the vehicle to move if the parking brake is not applied.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Replacement parts will not be available until January 2003.

11,597 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2002162 · manufacturer campaign CAA-58

11 September 2002

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003 · Legacy 2003 · Outback 2003

What is wrong

On certain 4-cylinder vehicles, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined and the pulley may dislodge from the pump which could result in severe engine damage during vehicle usage.

What the dealer will do

The originally equipped water pump of each of the potentially affected vehicles will be replaced.

153 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle
In its class
More efficient than 82% of 160 2003 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
265 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2003 Subaru Baja and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2003 Subaru Baja have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 6 recalls on record for the 2003 Subaru Baja. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2003 Subaru Baja get?
NRCan rates the 2003 Subaru Baja at 11.5 L/100 km combined, emitting 265 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 2 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2003 Subaru Baja for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,565 in fuel, producing roughly 5,313 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.