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2006 Subaru Legacy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Suspension complaints

4 reports
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94,000 miles · Aug 31, 2013
Air BagsSuspension

JUNE 2012 - REPLACED FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WHICH WERE WORN AFTER ONLY ~80,000 MILES, EARLIER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED. REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE ALSO WEARING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. AUGUST 2013 - AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. BROUGHT THE …

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JUNE 2012 - REPLACED FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WHICH WERE WORN AFTER ONLY ~80,000 MILES, EARLIER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED. REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE ALSO WEARING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. AUGUST 2013 - AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME IT WAS A FAULTY MAP LIGHT ASSEMBLY. WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH SUBARU'S WHICH RESEARCH ONLINE CONFIRMED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538188

73,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
SteeringSuspensionCrash

OUR 2006 LEGACY OUTBACK WAS OUR 4TH FAMILY SUBARU, AND WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED. I'M A DRIVER WITH OVER 48 YEARS OF ACCIDENT-FREE EXPERIENCE IN NEW ENGLAND AND THE NORTHERN US, TRAVELING ON PERSONAL AND BUSINESS TRIPS DURING ALL TYPES OF SEVERE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE STATE ROAD, LIGHT SNOW HAD …

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OUR 2006 LEGACY OUTBACK WAS OUR 4TH FAMILY SUBARU, AND WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED. I'M A DRIVER WITH OVER 48 YEARS OF ACCIDENT-FREE EXPERIENCE IN NEW ENGLAND AND THE NORTHERN US, TRAVELING ON PERSONAL AND BUSINESS TRIPS DURING ALL TYPES OF SEVERE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE STATE ROAD, LIGHT SNOW HAD JUST BEGUN. SPEED LIMIT (50) AND JUST DEVELOPING CONDITIONS WARRANTED NO SPECIAL CONCERNS, HOWEVER ONCE OR TWICE THE BACK END FELT AS THOUGH WIND WAS AFFECTING TRAVEL (THERE WAS NO WIND), I SLOWED TO 30-35 MPH ALTHOUGH SNOW STILL HADN'T COVERED THE ROAD. MINUTES LATER WHILE ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING AT A DISTANCE, THE FRONT END BEGAN DRIFTING INTO THE OTHER LANE. WITHOUT BRAKING OR ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN ACCELERATION, I SLOWLY CORRECTED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO COME BACK TO THE RIGHT, HOWEVER AS I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL, THE CAR BEGAN PUSHING HARD TO THE RIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO MY COUNTER STEERING. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE NEAR THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. NOW I CAN UNDERSTAND THE CAR DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT AFTER MY INITIAL CORRECTION, SINCE THE ROAD WAS CROWNED IN THE CENTER AND THE ROAD HAD SNOW ON IT. HOWEVER, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR HAD DRIFTED TO THE LEFT INITIALLY. IT WAS A STRAIGHT-AWAY, I WAS STEERING STRAIGHT SO IT WASN'T A CASE OF UNDER-STEER, AND THE PECULIAR THING WAS THAT AT THE TIME IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR END WAS PUSHING ME OUT OF MY LANE. NONE OF THIS MADE ANY SENSE UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN WE BEGAN RESEARCHING AND LEARNED OF SIMILAR REPORTS DESCRIBED AS 'GHOST WALKING'. THE INITIAL EXPERIENCE OF THE 'WIND' SENSATION WIGGLING THE BACK END, AND THE INEXPLICABLE 'PUSH' FROM THE REAR RIGHT SEEMED TO FIT WELL WITH THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. ONE OTHER NOTE, BETWEEN OUR TWO DOGS AND SOME LUGGAGE, WE DID HAVE ABOUT 250 LBS LOADED FROM THE REAR SEATS TO THE STORAGE AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488032

60,000 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Suspension

MANY OF THE SUBARU VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION - ARM CONTROL - AND I FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND IT IS NOT. IT IS A DEFECT IN SO MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE SUBARU REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS DEFECT? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466387

29,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE AN 06 SUBARU LEGACY GT.AT MY 30,000MILE CHECKUP THE REPORT STATES GOOD EXCEPT THE REAR BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WHICH IS RATED; MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED. AT 37,778 MILES THE RADIO WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT SHORTING OUT. AT THIS MILEAGE MY COOLANT CAP IS NO LONGER HOLDING PRESSURE & HAS TO BE R…

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I HAVE AN 06 SUBARU LEGACY GT.AT MY 30,000MILE CHECKUP THE REPORT STATES GOOD EXCEPT THE REAR BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WHICH IS RATED; MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED. AT 37,778 MILES THE RADIO WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT SHORTING OUT. AT THIS MILEAGE MY COOLANT CAP IS NO LONGER HOLDING PRESSURE & HAS TO BE REPLACED. AT 44,542MILES, THE INVOICE SAYS REPLACE REAR BRAKES AS ONLY THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED & THE REAR ROTORS WERE MACHINED 6,000MILES AGO. AT 47,560 MILES FOURTH GEAR IS GRINDING.THE INVOICE STATES; FOUND LOW/DIRTY MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID.THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 30,000MILES & THE FLUID LEVELS ARE TO BE CHECKED AT EVERY VISIT WHICH WAS LAST AT 47,478 MILES.TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED.AT 47,560 MILES; FOUND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WARPED EXCESSIVELY.THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED AT 44,542MILES WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AT THIS TIME AGAIN; AS THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TO THIN & WERE REPLACED. FROM 3-5-08 WHEN THE LAST MAJOR INSPECTION WAS DONE THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MARKED;MAY REQUIRE FOLLOW UP ATTENTION.ON 4-17-08 THE ROTORS ARE TOO THIN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.AT 50,129 MILES THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.THE LEAKING INNER AXLE SEALS WAS UNNOTICED BY THE TECHNICIAN UNTIL I MENTIONED IT. THE INVOICE STATES;THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRONT INNER AXLE SEALS LEAKING. FOUND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT AXLES CAUSED BY LACK OF GREASE DUE TO LEAKING BOOTS. THE AXLE BOOTS WERE REPLACED. AT 53,455 MILES FOUND FRONT ROTORS WARPED, RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AS THEY WERE JUST REPLACED AT 47,560 MILES. THE CLUTCH FEELS THAT IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY,FOURTH GEAR IS GRINDING AGAIN & IS DIFFICULT TO GET INTO GEAR.WHEN SHIFTING AT TIMES, CLUTCH WILL BE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED AND VEHICLE REVS TO 5000+RPMS FOR NO REASON.I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP TO TAKE TO MY TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOR A 2ND OPINION; THE HOOD WASN'T CLOSED, IT WAS ONLY LATCHED.

NHTSA ODI #10237821

Official recalls

7

20V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

20V002000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

20V003000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 2, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Apr 11, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

15V323000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 28, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.

14V311000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 10, 2014

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

13V110000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 27, 2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.