2003 Subaru Baja Consumer Discussions

Subaru Baja Electrical Issues

• Subaru electrical problem with gauges shutting off

  Written by: dpitt72 on Oct 6, 2009 11:00:54 AM

  I have a 2003 Subaru Baja which upon hitting the slightest of bumps my gauges turn completely off. Then my security light comes on and I lose my turn signals. I thought that I only lost the blinker on the inside, but come to find out I lose even the outside turn signals. Then the engine light comes on but will go out usually once the car is turn off and ... Read More

Subaru Baja Engine Issues

• 2003 Subaru Baja - oil leak getting much worse

  Written by: pkassube on Jul 1, 2009 1:26:08 PM

  I have serviced my Baja regularly and ever since last summer there is a smell of burnt oil. Now it has started leaking. The Subaru dealer recently replaced the oil pump and the timing belt. They said the leak was from the oil pump. Now the leak is much worse and an independent garage is saying - head gasket, lifters.... $2000 - $4000!!!! From what I am reading, the Subaru dealership ... Read More

• Re: 2003 subaru baja [ellorens]

  Written by: ateixeira on Jun 29, 2009 9:31:16 AM

  Borrow or purchase a code reader, and let us know what the error code is.

• 2003 subaru baja

  Written by: ellorens on Jun 24, 2009 6:13:39 PM

  2 questions 1st i have changed my oil several times and have not replaced this "special" gasket, whats up with that? and no oil leaks .2nd i just hade my emmisions done on my car it passed perfect however when i left my check engine light has come on and it will not go off, what should i do thanks ed

• Head Gasket problem on 2003 Baja

  Written by: Bluetx on Feb 10, 2009 7:22:24 PM

  Glad I found this forum, hope someone can offer some advice. Here's my problem. Bought a 2003 Subaru Baja about a month ago from a used car dealer, several hundred miles away. Of course within a week of getting my Baja home I notice a little leaking oil, so I took it to a local repair shop; no problem was located. Now it's leaking a lot more oil, so I took ... Read More

Subaru Baja Transmission Troubles

• 2003 Baja Sport needs Bad Transmission at 78000 miles

  Written by: subarubaja on Apr 9, 2007 4:24:55 PM

  Purchased the car new in 03. All started when I noticed some clicking/clucking sound when the weels were turned completly to the right or to the left (going into a parking stall). I noticed he front right CV joint boot was cut. I brought the vehicle to the dealer to replace the boot. They replaced the front right axle. After replacing the front axle (part cost $488 + labor = about ... Read More

Subaru Baja Engine Issues

• Another one with engine noise

  Written by: fritz9 on Apr 7, 2007 5:52:12 AM

  I don't have all the details in front of me as I have just found this site, but I also have a 2003 Subaru Baja with engine noise. The car was purchased new so I have been the only owner and I know how it has been maintained. I bought the car because suited my needs and because of Subaru's reputation. Loved them both but the car has become somewhat of ... Read More

Subaru Crew - Modifications II

• Re: interior trim kit for 2003 Foresters [earthwoman]

  Written by: crazybaja on Aug 20, 2006 6:39:49 PM

  Hi EVERYBODY!!!! Does anybody has clue how to lift up cople inches Subaru Baja????? Please help.....

Subaru Baja

• Interesting...

  Written by: rsholland on Aug 9, 2005 7:55:34 AM

  I thought Subaru of Canada had stopped importing the Baja after the 2003 model year, and that all Bajas on sale there were merely leftover '03 models. Apparently that's not true, as there is a 2005 Baja sold in Canada. http://www.subaru.ca/ Bob

Subaru Baja Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Prices for '05 and What's new for 06?

  Written by: accelerator on Jul 28, 2005 10:17:55 AM

  I'm glad to see that the Baja will be around for 2006. Here in Dallas, TX, there doesn't seem to be that many Baja's running around (I think I see more Lamborghini's running around actually). Question 1) When will the dealerships start expecting to get in the 2006 models (or better yet, when will Subaru start trying to clear out their 2005's? But then again, the dealerships here don't have that ... Read More

Subaru Baja

• quandry...

  Written by: once_for_all on Jun 21, 2005 2:00:34 PM

  not sure what to do here, the local Honda dealer is offering me a Ridgeline RS for $28k including destination, plus $15.5 k trade in for my 2003 Forester XS 5speed. Edmunds indicates that the Forester is worth, at best, $14.7k trade in. The local Subaru dealer offered $14k trade in on a new Baja. I suspect that the Ridgeline price won't get a whole lot better, but the trade-in on ... Read More

• Baja for 2006 R.I.P. why ?????

  Written by: fyreslayer on Apr 7, 2005 10:45:38 AM

  In the process of negotiating a deal on a 2003 Baja am I going to have problems getting parts or accessories etc. Is this vehicle that bad that on top of never advertising its fate is done. Should I just walk away from the table? Feeling a little torn any suggestions or comments. This vehicle is brand new and I like it but not if Subaru can't get parts down the ... Read More

• no title

  Written by: ateixeira on Apr 12, 2004 10:18:18 AM

  Saw an update, coincidentally, and yes, Forester won the owner loyalty award again for 2003. They had won it in 2000 and 2001 as well. Forester was tied for 3rd in the JD Power Initial Quality study, CR-V was 1st, then RAV4, then Forester and Santa Fe (tied). That's not bad. Besides, though, that's only looking at 90 days when everthing is under warranty and fixed for free. I say "who ... Read More

• So close

  Written by: jchagtdi on Apr 3, 2004 1:02:09 PM

  I almost bought a new Baja Sport today. It was the Mystic Blue pearl mono paint scheme. The Subaru websit makes it look purple, but it is actually a very handsome, deep blue. The dark pearl paint with the deep tinted side and rear glass gave the car a very rich look. It was a non turbo 2.5 automatic, and my only complaint with the vehicle itself was the lousy stero. ... Read More

• Seals / Air Leaks

  Written by: anthonypaul1 on Mar 15, 2004 3:57:01 PM

  First and Foremost. A Big Thank You! to Patti. The engine noise that I was hearing was piston slap. You were truly the only person that offered any kind of assistance in correcting my Baja's engine noise, and wanted to say a sincere Thank You! This noise has been corrected. I will and am planning on posting a notice of what was replaced along with an over all review of the ... Read More

Subaru Baja Engine Issues

• no title

  Written by: anthonypaul1 on Feb 10, 2004 5:23:02 PM

  This is a modified version of my original post. The post was removed by Edmonds sighting: Rights of Third Parties You may not submit Postings that contain personally identifiable information about other people, such as their phone number, street address or email address, or information about other people that could result in an invasion of their privacy or their harassment. The original post contained names, email address's and phone numbers. The ... Read More

Subaru Baja

• Honda's pickup concept

  Written by: rsholland on Dec 12, 2003 2:40:46 PM

  http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0312/12/d01-6025.htm Subaru should pay close attention to this vehicle. You can bet this Honda will have some unique features, and it's "sized" right. If Subaru built the next Baja off their 7-passenger crossover platform, it would be a direct competitor to this vehicle. Bob

• Turbo

  Written by: twrx on Sep 2, 2003 5:30:36 PM

  My local dealer has a color chart for all Subarus including the Baja. Guess what? They already have a chart for the Baja! There is the monochromatic mystic blue, black with the dark gray, darker silver and lighter silver and I think that the red/silver from 2003 was retained. No other Baja information on the chart. TWRX

Subaru Crew - Modifications II

• interior trim kit for 2003 Foresters

  Written by: earthwoman on Jul 18, 2003 9:00:14 AM

  Thank you for the answers on the trim kit. I checked a number of sites, including the one qbrozen suggested. I found out most of these sites are distributors for the same manufacturer. That particular manufacturer does not have a kit for 2003 Foresters "yet". I found an actual manufacturer though that does. AccuLaser at (508) 674-1294. They have a website but are in the process of switching to a newly ... Read More

Subaru Baja Turbo or Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab?

• More heresy from the Subaru fanatic

  Written by: jimqpublic on Jun 25, 2003 2:45:27 PM

  Juice said: "My suggestion? Keep the old pickup to tow on those rare occasions, and get the Forester XT instead. But a Baja turbo is about as close as you'll get to a car that can meet all your needs." Unfortunately, I don't have garage or driveway space for three vehicles. I want something that is somewhat safe for carrying my daughter and son in, which the regular cab, 1988 Toyota ... Read More

• No, not yet decided

  Written by: jimqpublic on Jun 17, 2003 8:47:37 AM

  I didn't mean to make it seem like the decision has been made; it hasn't. The capabilities of the Tacoma are pretty well known so I didn't feel the need to elaborate on it. I won't commit to buying a Baja until I see the spec's on the actual production model. The Turbo model will have a different transmission from the current automatic and the suspension is going to be revised ... Read More

• Subaru Baja Turbo or Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab?

  Written by: jimqpublic on Jun 10, 2003 3:50:36 PM

  Baja Turbo or Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab? I know them's fightin' words on a Subaru forum, but my short list of new vehicles has these two at the top. Other possibilities are a Forester XT or !aack! a minivan. SPECIFICATION COMPARISON: Cabin dimensions are similar although the Baja is limited to two in the back seat. With a baby plus a toddler in the family my wife often ends up ... Read More

Subaru Baja

• Maybe...

  Written by: rsholland on Apr 8, 2003 1:29:10 PM

  this is what Subaru needs to do to move Bajas off dealer lots. ;) http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0304/08/c08-131148.htm Bob

• Wow 2003 Yellow Baja Sport

  Written by: purduealum91 on Mar 6, 2003 2:34:47 PM

  for $20,000. Evanston Subaru just offered me a 5 spd with bed extender, floor mats, and other doodads for this price. Surely an $18k Sport cant be far behind.

• no title

  Written by: p0926 on Mar 6, 2003 7:55:53 AM

  CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. "...All 2003 model year Baja and Outback models meet all federal passenger car safety standards, with the exception of the Baja dark-tinted rear privacy glass. All Subaru models comply with Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards and are certified for sale in all 50 states." Hey Mike- Told you the Baja met passenger car safety standards! -Frank P.

• Baja Sport

  Written by: rsholland on Feb 4, 2003 6:59:10 AM

  I noticed over in the Subaru Media site, the picture of the Baja Sport is labeled a 2004 model, and not a 2003 model.   They should be arriving at dealers sometime in February, at least that's what SOA said when the car was announced. Bob

• Baja Hard Cover

  Written by: buckhill2 on Jan 26, 2003 2:56:19 PM

  Here's the note I received from Subaru: "I apologize for the delay in getting back to you regarding a hard bed cover for the 2003 Baja. Your patience is appreciated. I have been advised that two aftermarket companies should soon be offering hard bed covers for the 2003 Baja. These lockable hard top covers are not genuine Subaru accessories and Subaru is not in a position to endorse or recommend them. ... Read More

• Hard bed cover for the Baja!

  Written by: rsholland on Jan 14, 2003 8:30:51 AM

  http://www.subaru.net/events/2003/Detroit/set/pages/P1070051.htm This appears to be a hard bed cover, shown at Detroit, on the new Baja Sport. It definitely looks different from the cover shown in the Baja brochure, which was a soft bed cover. I wonder if it locks (It sure better!!)? Bob

• Floor Mats

  Written by: skiwee on Dec 18, 2002 5:35:36 PM

  I'm looking at the 2003 Baja accessories catalog and the floor mats shown say Subaru in raised letters. Part #J5010LS700. The rubber mats I got with my Baja also say Subaru. The only mats that say Baja are the original mats that come with the car. Mike

• Quick fix?

  Written by: ateixeira on Nov 8, 2002 12:32:47 PM

  That pace is a lot slower than the Aztek. Ouch. Though Pontiac has about 1 billion dealers. It's about as many Axioms as Isuzu was selling. They had better reconfigure it quickly, maybe even make it a mid-year change, a 2003.5 model. Adding the H6 and the stuff you want might help a little, if the price doesn't get too out of hand, but I really believe a lesser equipped model ... Read More

• New struts w/internal rebound springs

  Written by: miksmi on Sep 12, 2002 1:22:18 PM

  From www.media.subaru.com, Product Info, Baja, 07/31/2002 Subaru Core Technology Empowers the Baja™ and Defines the Brand: The 2003 Baja retains the proven strut-type suspension design in front for packaging efficiency. The rear uses a multi-link design. This suspension design provides excellent lateral rigidity and geometry, as well as optimal control of bump-steer and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The front struts are all new and incorporate internal rebound springs, coil spring ... Read More

• 2003 Baja 4EAT test drive

  Written by: miksmi on Sep 12, 2002 11:00:29 AM

  Ride: I drove a short course near Herb Gordon (formerly Tischer) Subaru, Silver Spring, MD, w/a salesman so I was light on the throttle and steering. Salesman said the front struts have less rebound than 2002 Outbacks due to (?) springs (forgot the name) for dampening. I noted some stiffness that might have been tire (over)pressure. Features: The pass-through is neat. Some wind noise from the crossbars with the moonroof open ... Read More

• PickupTruck.com Review (Great pictures)

  Written by: hylndr61 on Aug 11, 2002 7:13:21 PM

  http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2003/subaru/baja/first_drive/page1.html

• Baja website updated

  Written by: hylndr61 on Aug 7, 2002 8:42:23 PM

  I noticed that the image gallery has been updated to include "Production" photos of the Baja. The selection includes shots of the truck in both black and silverstone. The body cladding really stands out on the black and the silverstone seems too bland for my taste. I recently read an article on the Autoweek website reporting that Chevrolet is eliminating the body cladding on the 2003 Avalanche in order to "expand ... Read More