NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
276 reports45,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10588093
53,000 miles · Apr 26, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TWICE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. BOTH TIME MY CAR GOES TO LIMO MODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. THE PEDAL DOES NOT REV THE ENGINE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TRIES, THE PEDAL WILL BECOME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 3 RESTARTS ONCE THE ENGINE IS REVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT …
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TWICE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. BOTH TIME MY CAR GOES TO LIMO MODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. THE PEDAL DOES NOT REV THE ENGINE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TRIES, THE PEDAL WILL BECOME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 3 RESTARTS ONCE THE ENGINE IS REVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL BE NORMAL UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN. WHEN I READ THE CODE, IT'S P2138 INDICATING IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE 2 REDUCENT SENSORS ON THE PEDAL DISAGREEING ABOUT WHERE THE PEDAL IS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT! CALL SOA AND ASKED TO TAKE IT TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. BOUGHT THE CAR AT WEST SUBARU HERR BUFFALO,LIVE IN CANADA NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585026
104,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Engine
SUBARU HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS JUST ABOUT ALL SUBARU MODELS WITH 2.5 ENGINE. IF YOU CONTACT VARIOUS SUBARU OWNERS YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS HIGH AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. I AM HOPING THAT YOU INVESTIGATE AND HOLD THE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10579707
135,310 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AND PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I JUST ROLLED ALONG WITH NO POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I ROLLED INTO ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. I READ IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE AN EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM OR SOM…
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I WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AND PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I JUST ROLLED ALONG WITH NO POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I ROLLED INTO ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. I READ IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE AN EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP. I TOOK THE GAS CAP OFF AND RE-SEATED IT AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN ON THE THIRD TRY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR HAD POWER AGAIN AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS RESPONSIVE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THE CODE TO BE P3128. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE IN BUSY TRAFFIC. I HAD THE ENTIRE THROTTLE/PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT A COST OF APROX. $500 AND HOPE THAT THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578787
112,650 miles · Apr 6, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A STEADY RATE OF 50MPH. SUDDENLY THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN TO FLASH AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT. THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN PRESSED OR DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAINTAIN A SPEED ABOUT 20MPH EVEN AFTER COMING TO A COMP…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A STEADY RATE OF 50MPH. SUDDENLY THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN TO FLASH AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT. THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN PRESSED OR DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAINTAIN A SPEED ABOUT 20MPH EVEN AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGING THE HAZARD LIGHTS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE RPM GAUGE THEN SKYROCKETS TO 3000-4000 RPM AND THE ENGINE BECOMES REALLY LOUD. I TURN THE KEY OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. NEGLECTING TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES RESULTS IN THE SAME BEHAVIOR. AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT STILL FLASHES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER 3 RESTARTS BOTH INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE OFF AND ALL SEEMS FINE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT IS A "BAD ACCELERATOR AND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY". THE DEALERSHIP THEN RESET THE CODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ON A RANDOM BASIS. LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577797
93,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL IN TRAFFIC. CANNOT REV ENGINE OR MAINTAIN SPEED ABOVE 600 RPM/5 MPH; BARELY IDLING. CODES ON ECU INDICATE THROTTLE BODY POSITIONING SENSOR FAILURE. EVENTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567406
59,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Wheels
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. INITIALLY, THE NOISE HAPPENED AROUND 30-40 MPH. THEN THE NOISE (GRINDING/ROTATIONAL) GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND STARTED HAPPENING EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20 MPH). EVENTUALLY, THE NOISE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATIONS/SHUDDERING WHEN THE BROKEN BEARING SUPPORTED THE LOAD OF THE CAR ON EVERY ROTATION…
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FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. INITIALLY, THE NOISE HAPPENED AROUND 30-40 MPH. THEN THE NOISE (GRINDING/ROTATIONAL) GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND STARTED HAPPENING EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20 MPH). EVENTUALLY, THE NOISE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATIONS/SHUDDERING WHEN THE BROKEN BEARING SUPPORTED THE LOAD OF THE CAR ON EVERY ROTATION OF THE WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565184
95,300 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, MEANING MY GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND I BEGAN TO COAST. AT THE MOMENT I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND MY CRUISE CONTROL BECAME DISABLED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING ON …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, MEANING MY GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND I BEGAN TO COAST. AT THE MOMENT I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND MY CRUISE CONTROL BECAME DISABLED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING ON AND OFF THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS THEN ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I THEN WENT TO O'REILLY'S TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED, WHICH RESULTED IN CODE P2138 (THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR D-E VOLTAGE RATIONALITY). THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564625
133,000 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Power TrainSuspensionWheelsCrash
SUBARU OUTBACK BEGAN TO EXHIBIT "GHOST WALKING" WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DURING A WINTER STORM. REAR END ATTEMPTED TO RACE THE FRONT END, AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL. THIS "GHOST WALKING" IS WELL DISCUSSED IN THE ONLINE FORM AT SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG. CAR EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL 3 TIM…
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SUBARU OUTBACK BEGAN TO EXHIBIT "GHOST WALKING" WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DURING A WINTER STORM. REAR END ATTEMPTED TO RACE THE FRONT END, AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL. THIS "GHOST WALKING" IS WELL DISCUSSED IN THE ONLINE FORM AT SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG. CAR EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL 3 TIMES. THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT THE NORMALLY SLIDING ON ICE. THE REAR END SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559987
78,063 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Engine
BOTH HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 78,063 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559951
Official recalls
7Jan 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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