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2005 Subaru Baja fuel system problems

12 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 107,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
32%
typical mileage
107,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Delivery: fuel pump
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Subaru Baja fuel system problems in other years

2003200420052006

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Subaru Baja fuel system

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fuel smell 9

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported July 17, 2009 · 15,761 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru is recalling 15,761 my 2005-2006 baja vehicles. Cracks may develop in the fuel hose connection on the outlet pressure side of the fuel pump.
Risk
Fuel can leak from the hose connection. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump bracket including all nipples with a new and stronger design part. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during september 2009. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.

Recall number 09V277000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Fuel pump leaksOpened May 21, 2009, closed July 20, 2009

Subaru will conduct a safety recall (09v‑277) on all 15, 633 model year (my) 2005 and my 2006 baja vehicles, including turbo and non-turbo models.subaru has identified a defect in which cracks develop in the fuel hose connection (nipple) on the outlet (pressure) side of the fuel pump.this condition can result in a pressurized leak of gasoline from the fuel pump.subaru's analysis of sample parts collected from the field confirmed the issue to be limited to my 2005 and my 2006 vehicles only.subaru dealers will replace the fuel pump bracket, including all nipples, with a version that has been modified for increased strength.please see subaru's defect report in the recall file (09v‑277) for more details.this investigation is closed.

EA09007

Fuel pump leakOpened November 14, 2008, closed May 21, 2009

Cracks may develop in the fuel hose connection (nipple) on the outlet (pressure) side of the fuel pump.this condition can result in the leakage of gasoline from the fuel pump.as a result of additional reports and other information provided by subaru in response to the agency's investigation, this investigation has been upgraded to engineering analysis ea 09-007.

PE08064

What 2005 Subaru Baja owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 100,900 miles · PA

The vehicle is leaking fuel. When tank is full the presence of the fumes are overwhelming. Other 2005 baja's have been repaired under a recall, but mine has not been fixed. I can't park in a garage due to life threatening reasons and it could ignite right now. Please help me.

Filed Feb 27, 2017 · Fuel system · 230,000 miles · TN

Fuel smell when starting vehicle for several months reported to dealership and service refused to do check for cause, though they were paid to.

Filed May 16, 2016 · Fuel system · 100 miles · CA

It is a commonly known problem with subarus of this era that the high pressure rubber fuel lines underneath the intake manifold will begin to lose their elasticity as they age and leak profusely when the temperature drops below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Mechanics know this and it is discussed extensively on the subaru forums. This happened to my 2005 subaru baja when I was traveling in the mountains. When I started the vehicle in the morning, fuel would begin puddling on the top of the engine. It was very noticeable due to the fuel vapors produced. As the engine warmed the rubber would swell and stop the leak after a good 30 minutes or longer depending on the outside temperature. I had to travel with a fire extinguisher at the ready and could not keep any vents open in the cabin. It was extremely dangerous and could not be remedied until I was back from my trip. Subaru issued a recall a few years ago for a small part near the fuel pump and tank because it had the potential to leak, but they haven't addressed this far more pervasive issue at all. The remedy requires a difficult and costly removal of the intake manifold and the replacement of all the rubber lines that run between the hard pipes on the high pressure fuel circuit. I suspect this is why they are not issuing a recall. It is a very real problem and needs to be addressed immediately.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Fuel system · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. After starting the vehicle, a strong fuel odor entered the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09277000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 4, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · CA

Strong gasoline smell in passenger compartment, dealer can not locate problem,problem persists. Afraid car will catch on fire

Filed Jan 31, 2015 · Fuel system · 107,000 miles · MA

It's been cold in ma like past winters and this is the first time this happened since owning my baja for 10 years now, which I bought new. I noticed that when I first start up my car with the heat vents open to warm it inside, the car fills with strong fuel/gas fumes. I took my car to be serviced at a subaru dealer and they checked all the fuel lines; tightened them, but could not find what is causing this problem. So now I recirculate the cabin air and don't draw in fresh air to try to keep the fumes out. It still continues to emit fumes when it's cold out, but it never happened in the past...10 years of cold winters and now there's a problem with gas fumes? Something is very wrong and I do fear a fire.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru baja. The contact stated that while parked in a garage, there was a fuel odor present. The contact mentioned that the failure was present during the winter when the temperature was very cold. The contact also stated that the odor of fuel was intermittently present inside the vehicle, coming from the air vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions but the failure could not be identified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2014 · Fuel system · 203,000 miles · SC

This winter when the temperatures dropped below freezing I had a strong smell of gas in my car. Most noticeable when warming the vehicle up in the morning. I noticed the smell on both the outside and inside of the car. On the outside it seemed to be coming from the drivers side behind the rear door I investigated but could not find any fuel leaks or the source of the smell.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Fuel system · 118,000 miles · PA

During cold weather a strong smell of gasoline enters the passenger compartment.

Filed Jan 6, 2014 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · AR

Strong fuel smell both outside and inside the car when the temperature drops below 30 f. Fuel pump recall done before the smell started. Several trips to the shop to have the fuel lines tightened. Fumes worse this year than ever. I've been told that there was a service bulletin but no recall. Dealer told me today that this is a common problem & requires fuel line replacement @ between 600 to 700 dollars.

Questions about the 2005 Subaru Baja fuel system

Does the 2005 Subaru Baja have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 Subaru Baja, 32% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2005 Subaru Baja fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 107,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Subaru Baja fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 09V277000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Subaru Baja have the most fuel system problems?

The Subaru Baja model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2005 (12 complaints) and 2004 (10 complaints).

Other 2005 Subaru Baja problems

Airbags 7Engine 7Body 4Brakes 4Suspension 3Transmission 2Steering 1Tires 1

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