NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
276 reports55,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Suspension
I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE HAD THE REAR STRUTS REPLACED AND KNOW I AM HAVING THE FRONT STRUTS REPLACED. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE STRUTS. THE MECHANIC THAT IS REPLACING THEM SAYS THEY SHOULDNT HAVE TO BE REPLACED YET. IF I DONT REPLACE THEM IT AFFECTS THE STEERING ON THE CAR. WHAT MAK…
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I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE HAD THE REAR STRUTS REPLACED AND KNOW I AM HAVING THE FRONT STRUTS REPLACED. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE STRUTS. THE MECHANIC THAT IS REPLACING THEM SAYS THEY SHOULDNT HAVE TO BE REPLACED YET. IF I DONT REPLACE THEM IT AFFECTS THE STEERING ON THE CAR. WHAT MAKES THE STRUTS GO BAD PREMATURELY? THE CAR WAS NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT, I DONT DRIVE IT CARELESSLY OR RECKLESSLY. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS?
NHTSA ODI #10365813
57,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Traction Control System
THE CAR IN SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS DOES NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE AND THE REAR WALKS OUT AND BEGINS SWAYING UNCONTROLLABLY. IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CARS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PASSING ME AND NOT SWAYING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356108
10,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Air Bags
MY 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK HAS A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THAT WILL NOT STAY "ON" WHEN A PERSON UNDER 125 POUNDS IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WEIGH 115 POUNDS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS IN THE "OFF" POSITION ABOUT 65% OF THE TIME I AM SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM IN THE CAR AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005…
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MY 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK HAS A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THAT WILL NOT STAY "ON" WHEN A PERSON UNDER 125 POUNDS IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WEIGH 115 POUNDS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS IN THE "OFF" POSITION ABOUT 65% OF THE TIME I AM SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM IN THE CAR AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. SUBARU HAS TESTED THE SENSOR CALIBRATION MANY TIMES. I HAVE GONE FOR A DRIVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROBLEM TO HEAD MECHANIC AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS VERY APPALLED! NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN DONE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS SUBARU SAYS THIS WOULD REQUIRE RE-ENGINEERING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. SUBARU HAS TOLD US THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND IS CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME IN 2005. I HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE ROAD WITH SUBARU AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT CAN OFFER NO SOLUTION TO FIX IT. MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN MANY OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS OPEN ON THIS SAME ISSUE RELATING TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF SUBARU CARS AND THEIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND REQUIRE SUBARU TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353107
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2010
Traction Control System
I EXPERIENCE A SIDE-TO-SIDE SHAKE ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO THE CAR AND IS NOT SIMPLY ROAD CONDITIONS. FWD, RWD, AND OTHER AWD VEHICLES ARE NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE AND I+M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO STAY ON THE ROAD AND AM DRIVING AS MUCH AS 20 - 30 MPH SLOWER THAN THE NEXT SLOWER CAR ON THE ROAD. THERE IS S…
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I EXPERIENCE A SIDE-TO-SIDE SHAKE ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO THE CAR AND IS NOT SIMPLY ROAD CONDITIONS. FWD, RWD, AND OTHER AWD VEHICLES ARE NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE AND I+M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO STAY ON THE ROAD AND AM DRIVING AS MUCH AS 20 - 30 MPH SLOWER THAN THE NEXT SLOWER CAR ON THE ROAD. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLE DYNAMICS ON ICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350407
44,438 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Steering
THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STEERING TIE ROD PRECIPITOUSLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING SEPARATED INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES WHEN THE INNER PART OF THE TIE ROD PULLED OUT OF THE THREADED SLEEVE ON THE OUTER PART OF THE TIE ROD WHEN I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING CONTROL ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. EXAMINATION SHOWS THE…
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THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STEERING TIE ROD PRECIPITOUSLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING SEPARATED INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES WHEN THE INNER PART OF THE TIE ROD PULLED OUT OF THE THREADED SLEEVE ON THE OUTER PART OF THE TIE ROD WHEN I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING CONTROL ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. EXAMINATION SHOWS THE THREADS ON THE INNER PART OF TIE ROD WERE DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY WHEN MANUFACTURED ALLOWING SEPARATION AND LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK , 4 YEARS OLD, 44,000 MILES. TIRE WEAR WAS NORMAL AND NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT PRIOR TO PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346116
66,116 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Structure
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK SW. COMING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. SINCE MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I DID BUY IT BRAND NEW, I COULDN'T IMAGINE IT WAS THE MUFFLER AS THAT IS WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BOLT CONNECTING THE RIGHT RE…
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2006 SUBARU OUTBACK SW. COMING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. SINCE MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I DID BUY IT BRAND NEW, I COULDN'T IMAGINE IT WAS THE MUFFLER AS THAT IS WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BOLT CONNECTING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO THE AXLE MISSING, APPEARING AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN SEVERED OFF. IT IS PARKED IN A LOCKED GARAGE EVERYDAY AND NOW THE AXLE IS DROOPING BELOW THE HOLE WHERE THE BOLT SHOULD BE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER TO REPAIR THIS. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AS I KNOW IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD THE TIRE COME OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334148
10 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Traction Control System
ON MANY OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S REAR-END SIDE-STEPS OR OSCILLATES ON ICY/SNOW-PACKED ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD SYSTEM IN THE REAR IS OVER COMPENSATING, LEADING TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE 30-40MPH RANGE. ALTHOUGH, I PR…
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ON MANY OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S REAR-END SIDE-STEPS OR OSCILLATES ON ICY/SNOW-PACKED ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD SYSTEM IN THE REAR IS OVER COMPENSATING, LEADING TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE 30-40MPH RANGE. ALTHOUGH, I PREFER NOT TO DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ALLOW, IT CAN BE VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN OTHER 2WD CARS AND TRUCKS ARE PASSING YOU GOING 20MPH FASTER AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316214
20,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Suspension
MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK BEGINS TO GHOSTWALK AT ABOUT 50MPH AND IS UNSAFE, SMALLER CARS AND VEHICLES CAN PASS ME WITH BETTER CONTROL WHILE MINE FISHTAILS AT THE BACK UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED AT LESS THAN TRAFFIC SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313067
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS USING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS WITH MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONVERTER UNIT THAT PLUGGED INTO THE CAR WIRING AND CONVERTED IT TO THE 4 FLAT CONFIGURATION FOR MY TRAILER FAILED BY SHORTING OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE. HAD I NOT REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON QUICKLY THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. T…
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I WAS USING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS WITH MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONVERTER UNIT THAT PLUGGED INTO THE CAR WIRING AND CONVERTED IT TO THE 4 FLAT CONFIGURATION FOR MY TRAILER FAILED BY SHORTING OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE. HAD I NOT REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON QUICKLY THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. THE TRAILER WIRING HARNESS IS MANUFACTURED BY DRAW-TITE AND HAS A MODEL NUMBER OF 17499-101. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DRAW-TITE DIRECTLY BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AT THE TIME, AND THIS INCIDENT CAUSED US BOTH TO BE SCARED, AS ANY VEHICLE FIRE WOULD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308842
72,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Suspension
1. SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY PASSENGER OR CARGO LOAD 2. REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL IN ANY KIND OF SLICK ROAD CONDITION. EVEN HAPPENED ON WET PAVEMENT WITH LOADED CAR. RESULTS ARE HAVING TO SLOW TO UNSAFE LOW SPEEDS TO MAINTAIN ANY TRACTION. 3. NO PARTS OR WORK DONE YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302130
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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