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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

29 reports
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140,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I EXPERIENCED MY GAS PEDAL NO LONGER WORKING WHILE DRIVING, CAR WAS DRIVING WELL, ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, THEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY NO GAS/ACCELERATION, HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS RUNNING NORMAL AGAIN. THE DIAGNOSIS …

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I EXPERIENCED MY GAS PEDAL NO LONGER WORKING WHILE DRIVING, CAR WAS DRIVING WELL, ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, THEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY NO GAS/ACCELERATION, HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS RUNNING NORMAL AGAIN. THE DIAGNOSIS CODE GIVEN WAS P2138 THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH D/E VOLTAGE CORRELATION. IT IS VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE TO SUDDENLY NOT HAVE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WILL BE DRIVING ON THE OUTSIDE LANE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED TO I CAN GET OUT OF TRAFFIC SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11398751

156,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SOLID WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BLINKING. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. UPON STOPPING AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR HELD ITSELF AROUND 2800RPM WITH NO ACCELERATOR INPUT FROM THE DRI…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SOLID WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BLINKING. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. UPON STOPPING AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR HELD ITSELF AROUND 2800RPM WITH NO ACCELERATOR INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. AFTER READING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE, THE CAR GAVE A P2138 INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11376455

190,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL QUITS WORKING LEAVING MY DAUGHTER STRANDED, MUST BE IN THE DRIVE BY WIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LOOKING AT FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329180

49,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSeats

SUBARU DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DISCUSS SAFETY ISSUE RECALLS SELLING VEHICLE WITH OPEN SAFETY RECALLS AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND PROBLEMS WERE NOT ADDRESSED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS "SOLD AS IS" AND BUYER BEWARE, AFTER WE HAD LEASED A NEW 2019 VEHICLE AND PURCHASE…

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SUBARU DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DISCUSS SAFETY ISSUE RECALLS SELLING VEHICLE WITH OPEN SAFETY RECALLS AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND PROBLEMS WERE NOT ADDRESSED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS "SOLD AS IS" AND BUYER BEWARE, AFTER WE HAD LEASED A NEW 2019 VEHICLE AND PURCHASED A LIKE NEW USED VEHICLE THAT HAD GONE THROUGH THEIR EXTENSIVE MULTIPOINT INSPECTIONS. ISSUES FOR AIR BAGS, FUEL SYSTEM LEAKING, POTENTIAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION, FAULTY SEAT LATCHES AS SAFETY RECALL. DEALERSHIP HAS VIOLATED TRUST AND EXHIBITED NO CONCERN FOR ANYONE'S SAFETY. WE CAN NOT TRUST THIS DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OR SERVICE OF OUR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11315536

166,000 miles · Jan 30, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE EXPANDED TAKATA RECALL, THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY FOUND A LEAK IN MY GAS TANK. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND CAN'T IMAGINE WHY THIS IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11306135

110,000 miles · Aug 30, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE CRUISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS FLASH. CAR LOOSES POWER AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11123453

95,000 miles · Jun 12, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GROOVE SUBARU, 5300 S BROADWAY CIR, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GROOVE SUBARU, 5300 S BROADWAY CIR, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11101401

89,364 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL POWER, GOT OFF ROAD ,ENGINE STILL RUN BUT WOULD NOT MOVE, FINALLY,RESTARTED AND GOT HOME, CHECKED CODES,P2138 CAME UP.THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN,HAVE READ REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. WHAT HAS SUBARU DONE TO CORRECT BIG SAFETY PROBLEM!!! HAS THIS BECOME A RECALL.NOW SCARED TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11089591

170,000 miles · Apr 7, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TODAY I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ACCELERATED, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER OUT. I TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT MY CAR HAD NO POWER. IT BEGAN TO SPUTTER THEN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS STRANDED AT 9AM ON BROADWAY WITH MY 1.5 YEAR OLD AND 2 WEEK OLD. I TRIED TO START MY CAR MULT…

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TODAY I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ACCELERATED, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER OUT. I TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT MY CAR HAD NO POWER. IT BEGAN TO SPUTTER THEN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS STRANDED AT 9AM ON BROADWAY WITH MY 1.5 YEAR OLD AND 2 WEEK OLD. I TRIED TO START MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES FOR 8 MINUTES UNTIL ONE ATTEMPT IT TURNED OVER, THIS TIME WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHING. IT LIMPED AROUND FOR A WHILE AS I TOOK IT TO A SHOP I WAS TOLD THE CODE READ 'THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR'. WHICH I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING ABOUT LET ALONE FIND IT IN A STORE OR ONLINE. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS AND I HAVE LOST UTTER FAITH IN MY SUBARU.

NHTSA ODI #11083809

210,000 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOVE 65 MPH AND LOST POWER. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AT IDLE BUT NOTHING WOU…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOVE 65 MPH AND LOST POWER. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AT IDLE BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR. I TURNED CAR OFF AND WAITED FOR 15-20 MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THEN SEEMED TO WORK AS NORMAL. MY HUSBAND READ THE SES CODE (P2138 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR). HE CHECKED THE WIRING CONNECTION AT THE FOOT PEDAL AND IT SEEMED FINE. HE RESET THE CODE WITH HIS CODE READER. THE CAR DROVE FINE WITH NO ISSUES FOR ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS BUT THEN HAD THE SAME ISSUE RECUR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WAS VERY LUCKY I WASN'T IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT OF TRAFFIC WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF I WAS I WAS PRETTY MUCH A SITTING DUCK AS THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE ARE QUITE OF FEW OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT MENTION THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE HOWEVER MOST OF THEM DON'T MENTION THEY REPORTED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11066659

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.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems