IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SHUT DOWN . WAS TOLD THAT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND SENSORS STOPPED WORKING. THIS MALFUNCTION CAN KILL PEOPLE. OTHER HAVE HAS LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
2006 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Outback do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
2625–50K
3050–75K
4875–100K
65100–150K
39150K+
225 reports with mileage · 51 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 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine complaints
43 reportsSUDDEN DECELERATION OF VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR GOES LIMP. VEHICLE IS RESTARTABLE AFTER 5 MINUTES, HOWEVER THE THROTTLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTERWARD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY, THUS IT DRIVES MUCH SLOWER, AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE 60 MPH. PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. *TR
DRIVING ALONG - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. I IMMEDIATELY LOSE ACCELERATION - NEED TO PULL OVER (THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS ACCURS). HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF - WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTART. LIGHTS STILL STAY ON BUT ACCELERATION IS NORMAL. I HAVE SEEN MANY DIFFERENT REASO…
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DRIVING ALONG - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. I IMMEDIATELY LOSE ACCELERATION - NEED TO PULL OVER (THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS ACCURS). HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF - WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTART. LIGHTS STILL STAY ON BUT ACCELERATION IS NORMAL. I HAVE SEEN MANY DIFFERENT REASON CODES FOR THIS PROBLEM - I AM NOW TAKING TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO HAVE HIM GO OVER IT AND HOPEFULLY FIX THIS. VERY, VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENS. DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE!!! ONE WOULD THINK THAT A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE SUBARU WOULD STAND BEHIND THIS DANGEROUS FLAW WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND CORRECT THE ISSUE!!! *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
SLOWING AT INTERSECTION TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT CAME ON. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (VEHICLE WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME) ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE (COULD GET NO ACCELERATION OUT OF THE CAR WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL) AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THROUGH INTERSECTION TO TURN. A…
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SLOWING AT INTERSECTION TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT CAME ON. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (VEHICLE WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME) ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE (COULD GET NO ACCELERATION OUT OF THE CAR WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL) AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THROUGH INTERSECTION TO TURN. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO WAS ABLE TO GET ENOUGH POWER TO RUN AT ABOUT 10MPH TOPS WITH HAZARDS ON TO GET A LOCATION WHERE I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY AFTER (THREE CRANKS WITH NO RESPONSE) AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THOUGH, IT RESTARTED AND SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY, NO PROBLEMS WITH SPEED. DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS P2138 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "A"/"B" VOLTAGE CORRELATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
FOUND COOLANT BLACK AND POSSIBLE OVERHEATING FROM HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN RESULT RADIATOR WAS EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT AND CRACKED. COMBUSTION PRESSURE HAD ENTERED COOLING SYSTEM AND CAUSED OVER PRESSURE OF COOLING SYSTEM. RECOMMEND LEAK DOWN AND COMPRESSION CHECK OF ENGINE TO DETERMINE IF INTERNAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. CUSTOMER HAS T…
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FOUND COOLANT BLACK AND POSSIBLE OVERHEATING FROM HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN RESULT RADIATOR WAS EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT AND CRACKED. COMBUSTION PRESSURE HAD ENTERED COOLING SYSTEM AND CAUSED OVER PRESSURE OF COOLING SYSTEM. RECOMMEND LEAK DOWN AND COMPRESSION CHECK OF ENGINE TO DETERMINE IF INTERNAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. CUSTOMER HAS TWO OPTIONS, REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKETS IF NO OTHER FINDINGS INTERNAL ARE FOUND OR REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE COMPLETE. TURBO MAY ALSO BE DAMAGED AND NEEDS INSPECTION ALSO. REPLACE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, LUBE BACK OF PADS AND HARDWARE PINS WITH ANTI SQUEAK PASTE. ADJUST EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM TO FACTORY SPEC. ROAD TEST FOR NOISE AND SEAT NEW PADS TO ROTORS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-25 THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE, I NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WHEN THE CODE WAS READ A P2138 THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATOR THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENS ALOT WITH THIS YEAR SUBARU. HE TOLD ME BY JUST SHUTTING THE C…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-25 THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE, I NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WHEN THE CODE WAS READ A P2138 THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATOR THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENS ALOT WITH THIS YEAR SUBARU. HE TOLD ME BY JUST SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD HAVE DRIVEN NORMAL,WHEN HE STARTED IT AGAIN IT DID DRIVE NORMAL. HE SENDS THEM TO A SUBARU DEALER AND TELLS THE PEOPLE THAT IF ENOUGH OF US COMPLAIN OR FILL IN A REPORT THEN SOMETHING MAY BE DONE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR IF IT LOSES ALL POWER DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS HAD A CODE P2138 ISSUE FOR OVER TWO MONTHS NOW. IN MANY CASES I AM IN THE CAR WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND END UP BEING IN DANGER FOR NO REASON. LOOSING 99% OF POWER WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL OR TO THE STORE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE HAVE NOT WORKED AND THE CAR ITSELF IS THOUGHT OF AS A DEATH TRAP IN O…
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MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS HAD A CODE P2138 ISSUE FOR OVER TWO MONTHS NOW. IN MANY CASES I AM IN THE CAR WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND END UP BEING IN DANGER FOR NO REASON. LOOSING 99% OF POWER WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL OR TO THE STORE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE HAVE NOT WORKED AND THE CAR ITSELF IS THOUGHT OF AS A DEATH TRAP IN OUR HOUSE. SUBARU DISREGARDS THE CODE AND OFFERS NO FIX. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR
Official recalls
720V001000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.