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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

What owners actually said

276 reports
96,825 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL ON 2/16/16, I RECEIVED AN AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE AND WARNING NOT TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, CARTER SUBARU SEATTLE THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD AN AIRBAG WOULD BE ORDERED FOR ME AND WOULD ARRIVE IN A FEW WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN …

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TAKATA RECALL ON 2/16/16, I RECEIVED AN AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE AND WARNING NOT TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, CARTER SUBARU SEATTLE THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD AN AIRBAG WOULD BE ORDERED FOR ME AND WOULD ARRIVE IN A FEW WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN ON 3/8/16 AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. I NEED TO USE MY CAR FOR TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. THIS IS A HARDSHIP FOR ME TO BE INDEFINITELY WITHOUT THE ABILLTY TO USE MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10845776

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10839129

102,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHICH WAS A WALL OF SNOW IN COLORADO AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN THE SLOW LANE, I WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY SUBARU DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY PEDAL ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. AFTER REPAIRS, I EXPERIE…

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MY VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHICH WAS A WALL OF SNOW IN COLORADO AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN THE SLOW LANE, I WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY SUBARU DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY PEDAL ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. AFTER REPAIRS, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM 2 WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME THEY ARE STATING THAT MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED. I HAVE RESEARCHED CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND SEE THAT I AM ONE OF OVER 50 CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10823828

95,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

LOSS OF POWER, NO ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TROUBLE CODE P2138 FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IN THE GAS PEDAL LEADING TO NO ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH OR SO). SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AND WE HAD TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULD…

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LOSS OF POWER, NO ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TROUBLE CODE P2138 FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IN THE GAS PEDAL LEADING TO NO ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH OR SO). SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AND WE HAD TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER ON A BUSY FREEWAY WITH NO ACCELERATION WHAT SO EVER. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! PEOPLE CAN DIE WITH LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION ON THE FREEWAY, OR BEING STUCK ON A BLIND CURVE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS SYSTEM!

NHTSA ODI #10822920

110,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

THREE TIMES I HAVE LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE IN MOTION, WITH THE CAR AND ENGINE SLOWING TO IDLE SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS AND ONCE IN MY DRIVEWAY. IN ALL CASES, THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND RESTARTED. MY MECHANIC IS LOOKING…

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THREE TIMES I HAVE LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE IN MOTION, WITH THE CAR AND ENGINE SLOWING TO IDLE SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS AND ONCE IN MY DRIVEWAY. IN ALL CASES, THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND RESTARTED. MY MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO A POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ISSUE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FIND THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 2006 OUTBACKS AND OTHER SUBARUS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT COULD PROVE DEADLY IF IT HAPPENS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND SUBARU SHOULD ADDRESS IT.

NHTSA ODI #10822138

138,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED - CITY STREET 45MPH -- LOST ABILITY TO THROTTLE. NO THROTTLE, ENGINE, OR ACCELERATION RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL. CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE LIGHTS BLINKING. AFTER PULLING OVER, TURNED OFF ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING AFTER A MINUTE, THROTTLE CAPABILITY RETURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ODI #10808750

144,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON DUE TO PASSENGER ON/OFF OVERHEAD LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT CANNOT REGISTER WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, AND THEREFOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I KNOW THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH THE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #10794455

182,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ODI #10789325

175,000 miles · Oct 12, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I RECENTLY HAD P2138.. ONE TIME. NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, STOPPED ON A HILL ON A 2 LANE ROAD, ON A CURVE, IN BIG SUR.. NOT GOOD. ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN HILL AFTER THE ONES BEHIND HAD ALL PASSED ME. TURNED OFF CAR, WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES, THEN IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER A RESTART. JIGGLED THE PEDAL CONNECTOR AND IT HAS BEEN GONE FOR TH…

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I RECENTLY HAD P2138.. ONE TIME. NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, STOPPED ON A HILL ON A 2 LANE ROAD, ON A CURVE, IN BIG SUR.. NOT GOOD. ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN HILL AFTER THE ONES BEHIND HAD ALL PASSED ME. TURNED OFF CAR, WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES, THEN IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER A RESTART. JIGGLED THE PEDAL CONNECTOR AND IT HAS BEEN GONE FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS WHILE WAITING FOR MY MECHANIC TO HAVE ROOM IN HIS SCHEDULE TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE PEDAL (WHICH HAS A PEDAL POSITION SENSOR), TWO DAYS FROM NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10781463

48,500 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY SUBARU YESTERDAY, I SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 10 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED CAR TWICE. BARELY ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO GET CAR TO 18 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE CRUISE LIGHT BLINKED CONTINOUSLY. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TODAY. ERROR CODE IS P2138.…

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WHILE DRIVING MY SUBARU YESTERDAY, I SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 10 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED CAR TWICE. BARELY ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO GET CAR TO 18 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE CRUISE LIGHT BLINKED CONTINOUSLY. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TODAY. ERROR CODE IS P2138. DEALER CANNOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH CAR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT GOING ONTO HIGHWAYS AND HAVING THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10781448

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