This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Subaru Baja engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2006 Subaru Baja have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Baja | 4 |
| 2006 Baja (this page) | 8 |
When does it fail?
Of the 8 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Subaru Baja, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
2006 Subaru baja turbo with several problems including lunging forward and randomly sputtering and hesitating.. Consumer states that the problems began when the vehicle had 707 miles and have continued. *kb the consumer stated on one occasion, there was no throttle response. Somtimes the vehicle would idle high and the check engine light would frequently come on and stay on. *jb
I had the head gaskets and timing belt replaced at 142,000 miles. Brand new. I put oil in my car every time I filled up with gas, as I was told subarus burn a lot of oil. The low light never came on, never had a check engine light come on. Three months later, at 145,000, without any indication that something is wrong, going 70 on the freeway, in 5th gear, I hear a "pop" sound and my car starts to…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Subaru baja. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost all power and shut off. The vehicle has been to the dealer three times for the failure. During the first visit, the failure could not be diagnosed. The mechanic eventually stated that the accelerator relay switch failed. The vehicle has shut off 25 times since it was purchased. The manufacturer was unable to…
I bought this car a few years ago. I bought a well maintained Subaru that was in perfect condition.. About a year ago it started leaking oil found out the head gaskets were leaking. Had them replaced and it still leaks. Subaru was contacted and they offered some money off a new Subaru. My car is work significantly less from this problem. And I to try to fix it again. Could be a fire…
If the gas cap is not securely tighten and I mean tighten hard. The car will stop operating within 5 sec ish. This is not good, no matter where u are driving. Not enuff time to pull over safely. This has happened to me at least 4-5 times now.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Subaru baja. The engine knocks when the vehicle is started. The dealer replaced two pistons, but the failure still exists. The manufacturer stated that the failure is normal. The failure mileage was 16,992 and current mileage was 34,000.
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Subaru Baja?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Subaru Baja?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 74,755 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Subaru/Baja.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.