RoadVitals

2006 Subaru Outback Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
276
Latest Jun 30, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Subaru Outback, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

104
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The engine will randomly loose power. This has happened three times now. You must coast to a stop, turn the key off and try to restart the car. Sometime it will take several tries to restart. I see this as a real safety concern in heavy traffic. Especially so if heavy traffic makes it impossible to reach the side of the road safely. The service code points to the throttle peddle position sensor. Reading some of the internet forums it seems to be a fairly common issue. Of course internet forums must be considered carefully. However with the above said I see this issue as a real safety concern. Not only for my safety but those around me if this happens in heavy traffic. Thank you

NHTSA ID 11460840 · filed Apr 15, 2022

The accelerator pedal position sensor is faulty. It is prone to wear in these vehicles based on my research. This caused my car to go into limp-mode on the highway, rapidly cutting my speed in half. The accelerator provides no response until vehicle was restarted. The ECU put out the code P2138 for loss of voltage in throttle system.

NHTSA ID 11445826 · filed Jan 1, 2022
All 104 reports naming driver assistance

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

50
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The engine will randomly loose power. This has happened three times now. You must coast to a stop, turn the key off and try to restart the car. Sometime it will take several tries to restart. I see this as a real safety concern in heavy traffic. Especially so if heavy traffic makes it impossible to reach the side of the road safely. The service code points to the throttle peddle position sensor. Reading some of the internet forums it seems to be a fairly common issue. Of course internet forums must be considered carefully. However with the above said I see this issue as a real safety concern. Not only for my safety but those around me if this happens in heavy traffic. Thank you

NHTSA ID 11460840 · filed Apr 15, 2022

ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, ON LATE SATURDAY MORNING, DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, FROM RICHMOND, VA MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN HAMPTON. THE CAR JOLTED A LITTLE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SMOKE BECAME VISIBLE, BUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS NOT RUNNING HIGH. A WITNESS RAN TOWARD THE CAR YELLING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE. EVEN THOUGH 2 FIRE TRUCKS WERE ON THE SCENE, IT TOOK A LITTLE WHILE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNT TO A CRISP. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT RECOVERABLE. ARE YOU AWARE OF WHAT MAY HAVE POSSIBLY CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN?

NHTSA ID 11308055 · filed Feb 9, 2020
All 50 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

42
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Rear hatch door malfunction of security lock.

NHTSA ID 11483915 · filed Sep 11, 2022

The accelerator pedal position sensor is faulty. It is prone to wear in these vehicles based on my research. This caused my car to go into limp-mode on the highway, rapidly cutting my speed in half. The accelerator provides no response until vehicle was restarted. The ECU put out the code P2138 for loss of voltage in throttle system.

NHTSA ID 11445826 · filed Jan 1, 2022
All 42 reports naming electrical

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

40
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine and cruise control warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle went into limp mode as the contact steered the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.

NHTSA ID 11434091 · filed Sep 23, 2021

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 ID 11398751 · filed Mar 2, 2021
All 40 reports naming fuel system

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK HEAD GASKETS WENT BAD AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES.HAD TO REPLACE THOSE CALLED SUBARU AND THEY HELP ME GET THOSE REPLACED. THOUGHT ALL WAS WELL SOON AFTER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE HEATER .THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEFAULTED AND TO BRING IT INTO REPLACE THEM WHICH I DID. THE FINAL STRAW IS THAT THEY CALLED ME AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO TO BRING THE RIGGING TO REPLACE THAT SAME AIRBAG AGAIN. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY GAVE ME A CAR THAT WASN'T SAFE. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO WORE OUT VERY EARLY AROUND 50 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SO EXPENSIVE. AND NOW THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SECOND RECALL ON THE AIRBAG. SO I BRING IT IN FOR THE SECOND TIME REALIZING THAT NOW IN 2021 THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN SAFE THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT WITH MY FAMILY MY DAUGHTER LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE IN THIS CAR AND SO DID MY SON. AS THEY WERE REPAIRING THE FAULTY AIRBAG THEY CRACKED THE DASHBOARD AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE $300 TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN IT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THEY WERE THE ONES THAT TOOK THE DASHBOARD OFF IN THE FIRST PLACE. SUPER RUDE! I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DECIDED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DASHBOARD. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT GLUING IT BACK TOGETHER LAST I HEARD I'M VERY MUCH HOPING THIS IS NOT THE CASE MY DAUGHTER ENSURES ME THAT IT ISN'T BUT WE'LL SEE. ALSO HE INFORMED ME THAT MY HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON ONCE YOU'VE HAD YOUR GASKETS REPLACED. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 160,000 MILES ON IT AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALREADY PLAYED OUT AND NOT SAFE. WHAT A JOKE. I'LL NEVER BUY A SUBARU AGAIN.THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR AND APPARENTLY THE MOST UNSAFE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. NOTE:THIS CAR WAS CONSISTENTLY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT HAD A FIVE STAR RATING FOR SAFETY WHAT A JOKE!

NHTSA ID 11404941 · filed Mar 26, 2021

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 ID 11315536 · filed Mar 2, 2020
All 39 reports naming airbags

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

37
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle becomes uncontrollable on light ice. The rear end will "ghost walk" (seems to steer on its own). I have driven in snow my entire life and have never experienced this issue in any other vehicle. I am also an ASE certified master technician. It only happens if I have passengers in the rear seat or groceries in the cargo area. The car is not even close to its cargo limit. The tires have been replaced and an alignment performed and the issue remains. I found that this is a commonly reported problem in the forums. The car is absolutely unsafe in this condition. I was being passed by every other car on the road. The rear end will float back and forth over 35 mph regardless of any driver input (acceleration, deceleration, steering input etc).

NHTSA ID 11450735 · filed Feb 7, 2022

MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FROM 2NS-3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING, IT JERKS PRETTY HARD IF COLD, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE PROBLEMS, TAKES A LONG TIME TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, & I'M HAVING NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH SUSPENSION. BALLJOINTS KEEP CLICKING WHILE REVERSING, (CONTROL ARMS,BALLJOINTS, BUSHINGS, BEARINGS, HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, ETC.) THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED AND HAS ALMOST NO MILES. IT IS BECOMING A MONEY-PITT AND NOBODY WANTS TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID 11184294 · filed Mar 5, 2019
All 37 reports naming suspension

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving home when my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Next, I realized I could not stop the vehicle. I was able to pull over and stop. A puddle was pooling under my vehicle by the rear passenger tire. I received no lights or illumination or warning.

NHTSA ID 11670391 · filed Jun 30, 2025

My brake warning light came on as I was driving down a steep decline on a narrow road. When I found a safe place to pull over I found I had very little brakes. It was found that once a plastic shield was removed from the rear of the car that the plastic shield was full of mud and water and had corroded the brake lines causing the brake fluid to drain out of the system. It appears there was a recall for this but only in salt belt states. I have only owned the car for a year and it does not show any outstanding recalls.

NHTSA ID 11646332 · filed Mar 4, 2025
All 19 reports naming brakes

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING STRIPPED OUT, EMPTYING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RUINING TRANSMISSION. AS CAN BE SEEN IN PICTURE, OEM COMPONENT HAS VERY FEW THREADS WHICH ARE SHEARED AND COVERED IN FACTORY LOCTITE. THIS IS NOT AN INSPECTABLE COMPONENT, NOR LISTED ON ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU THEY STATED THAT IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE, CONSIDERED REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR, AND OUTSIDE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I POINTED OUT THAT THEY JUST SETLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING FAULTY POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS, AND THEY DECLINED FURTHER DISCUSSING MY CONCERNS

NHTSA ID 11300104 · filed Jan 17, 2020

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK AT AROUND 40 MPH, GOING STRAIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY. IT APPARENTLY ENTERED A "SAFE" MODE, WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF ABOUT 10 MPH REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH PRESSURE I APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, BUT THE ACCELERATOR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE MANAGEMENT COMPUTER PROVIDED AN ERROR CODE P2138, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH VOLTAGE CORRELATION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU VEHICLES FROM AROUND THIS MODEL YEAR. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING AND THE CAR SLOWS TO A CRAWL ABRUPTLY. MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS THE MAIN DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. IF THE ERROR WERE TO OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN "SAFE" MODE AFTER SENSING AN ELECTRICAL ABNORMALITY IN THE THROTTLE WIRING. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA ID 11152338 · filed Nov 18, 2018
All 16 reports naming powertrain (other)

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING THRU THE ADIRONDACK REGION OF NY ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON RETURNING HOME FROM VT I PROCEEDED TO PASS A VEHICLE FROM THE CENTER LANE INTO THE LEFT LANE. SPEED WAS 65MPH ACCELERATING TO 69MPH TO PASS, NOT MORE THAN 250 FT LATER OUR VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL THEN HEAD RIGHT INTO NUMEROUS 360 SPINS TAKING OUT 35 FT OR SO OF GUARD RAIL AND CRUNCHING AND DAMAGING ALMOST EVERY SIDE AND CORNER OF OUR OUTBACK. BOTH HANDS WERE ON THE WHEEL, I DID NOT HIT ANY SNOW OR ICE THAT I AM AWARE OF AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING EXCESSIVELY. NOT ONE OF OUR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER!! I AM CONFIDENT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL OF THE 2006 OUTBACK WE WERE DRIVING AND AM THANKFUL WE WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10682387 · filed Feb 9, 2015

WHILE 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

NHTSA ID 10676874 · filed Jan 21, 2015
All 12 reports naming steering

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK HEAD GASKETS WENT BAD AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES.HAD TO REPLACE THOSE CALLED SUBARU AND THEY HELP ME GET THOSE REPLACED. THOUGHT ALL WAS WELL SOON AFTER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE HEATER .THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEFAULTED AND TO BRING IT INTO REPLACE THEM WHICH I DID. THE FINAL STRAW IS THAT THEY CALLED ME AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO TO BRING THE RIGGING TO REPLACE THAT SAME AIRBAG AGAIN. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY GAVE ME A CAR THAT WASN'T SAFE. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO WORE OUT VERY EARLY AROUND 50 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SO EXPENSIVE. AND NOW THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SECOND RECALL ON THE AIRBAG. SO I BRING IT IN FOR THE SECOND TIME REALIZING THAT NOW IN 2021 THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN SAFE THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT WITH MY FAMILY MY DAUGHTER LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE IN THIS CAR AND SO DID MY SON. AS THEY WERE REPAIRING THE FAULTY AIRBAG THEY CRACKED THE DASHBOARD AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE $300 TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN IT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THEY WERE THE ONES THAT TOOK THE DASHBOARD OFF IN THE FIRST PLACE. SUPER RUDE! I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DECIDED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DASHBOARD. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT GLUING IT BACK TOGETHER LAST I HEARD I'M VERY MUCH HOPING THIS IS NOT THE CASE MY DAUGHTER ENSURES ME THAT IT ISN'T BUT WE'LL SEE. ALSO HE INFORMED ME THAT MY HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON ONCE YOU'VE HAD YOUR GASKETS REPLACED. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 160,000 MILES ON IT AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALREADY PLAYED OUT AND NOT SAFE. WHAT A JOKE. I'LL NEVER BUY A SUBARU AGAIN.THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR AND APPARENTLY THE MOST UNSAFE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. NOTE:THIS CAR WAS CONSISTENTLY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT HAD A FIVE STAR RATING FOR SAFETY WHAT A JOKE!

NHTSA ID 11404941 · filed Mar 26, 2021

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 ID 10565184 · filed Feb 20, 2014
All 10 reports naming other / unspecified

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TL TIRES, SIZE: 225/15/R17 (NA). THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BEGINNING TO DETERIORATE. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, DETAILS OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10887767 · filed Jul 22, 2016

ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE PERFORMANCE IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. OTHER CARS PASS WITH EASE WHILE MINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AND FLOATING OVER THE ROAD. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. WE ACTUALLY SPUN OUT ON ICE WHILE ONLY DRIVING 30MPH, CLIPPING A ROAD SIGN. WE'RE LUCKY THE DAMAGE/INJURIES WEREN'T WORSE. CAR FEELS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. IT IS TERRIFYING TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10253796 · filed Jan 5, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NO HEAT, AIR AND OF ALL DEFROST FOR THE FRONT WINDOW STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING, ALSO EVERYTHING IS CONTROLLED THRU THE RADIO WHICK COULD HAVE BAD COLD SOLDER JOINTS . VERY DANGEROUS WHEN SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID 11312200 · filed Feb 29, 2020

THE 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND. A NOISE OF SHATTERING GLASS WAS HEARD, ALTHOUGH NO EVIDENCE OF BROKEN GLASS WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED. WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, THE OWNER OBSERVED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRONT PANORAMIC SUNROOF GLASS PANEL HAD SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES AROUND WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AND THE TEMPERATURE HAD BEEN VERY STABLE UP TO THAT POINT IN THE DAY. (11 AM, OCTOBER 17TH, 2017.) NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT WAS FOUND AS THE WINDOW HAD NO CHIPS OR HOLES FROM AN IMPACT, BUT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUNROOF PANEL OF GLASS WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED INTO TINY PIECES.

NHTSA ID 11034349 · filed Oct 18, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR WIPER CEASED FUNCTIONING. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BROKEN WIRE(S) IN A WIRING HARNESS THAT PASSES THROUGH A RUBBER ACCORDION BOOT BETWEEN THE CAR BODY AND THE TAIL-GATE (NEAR THE RIGHT-HAND TAILGATE HINGE). MANY OF THE OTHER WIRES, AFFECTING UPPER BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, BACKUP LIGHTS, AND TAILGATE LATCH/LOCK, WERE FRAYED AND WERE REPLACED DUE TO IMMINENT FAILURE OF THE ABOVE LISTED COMPONENTS. RESEARCH AT AN ONLINE FORUM FOR SUBARU OWNERS SHOWED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS (OF 2005 AND 2006 SUBARU OUTBACKS) HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES DUE TO BROKEN WIRES IN THIS WIRING HARNESS. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS AN UNDER-REPORTED PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE ASKED TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10498538 · filed Feb 18, 2013

I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT MORE THAN ABOUT 40' IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 108 BETWEEN SONORA AND JAMESTOWN, CALIFORNIA. THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE HIM UNTIL I WAS LESS THAN 40' AWAY. THERE WAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN, LUCKILY HE WAS OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS JUST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I FELT MY HEADLIGHTS FAIL. ANY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE LIMITED VISIBILITY TO THE FRONT OF ME, WHICH MEANS I CANNOT SEE POTHOLES OR ANIMALS IN THE ROAD. ALL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN OR RIDDEN IN MY CAR AT NIGHT ARE SHOCKED BY THE LACK OF VISIBILITY WITH THE LOW-BEAMS. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I DRIVE WITH MY HIGH-BEAMS ON AT NIGHT, BUT OFTEN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE BY ANY MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALLEVIATED BY INSTALLING BRIGHTER BULBS, AND THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY COMPLAINTS. PLEASE SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2005, 2006 SUBARU MODELS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND SUBARU SHOULD BE FORCED TO MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENT LOW BEAM HOUSINGS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10375043 · filed Jan 7, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS TOO LOW FOR RELEASE. MY WIFE HAS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME RELEASING THE SEAT BELT FROM THE BUCKLE. IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT I FEAR THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. ALL THAT HAS TO BE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE BUCKLE WITH ONE OF THE SAME TYPE THAT IS USED ON THE DRIVERS SEAT. *NM

NHTSA ID 10160826 · filed Jun 26, 2006

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. HI, PROBLEM (1) HEAD REST IS SO BIG THAT BETWEEN THE SEAT BELT STRAP AND THE HEAD REST THERE IS NO VIEW TO SEE VEHICLES ABOUT TO PASS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. CAN RESULT IN SIDE SWIPING WHEN CHANGING LANES. ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE WORLD WON'T HELP IF THE END RESULT OF THE FEATURE IS TO CAUSE INJURY OR FATALITY. SAFETY PROBLEM (2) THE SPEEDOMETER. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOOK "CUTE" YOU HAVE DESTROY THE ABILITY TO SEE WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. NO NEED TO GO TO 140 MPH TO START WITH. THE JUMPS BETWEEN MARKINGS MAKE IT JUST ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE TO QUICKLY DETERMINE THE SPEEDS 50, 60, AND 70 MPH AND FORGET TRYING FOR 55,65,75. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO ABOUT THESE TWO VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS ON MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK?????? I AM "DEAD" SERIOUS ABOUT THIS AND WILL SEARCH ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR A REMEDY.*AK

NHTSA ID 10148354 · filed Jan 23, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11315536 · filed Mar 2, 2020

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. SHE STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED, WHICH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BOTH WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN LAYING FLAT IN THE VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WAS INJURED. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ID 10199100 · filed Aug 10, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I NOTICED A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE DASHBOARD MAKING IT DIFFICULT/ANNOYING TO SEE. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO THE DASHBOARD MELTING AND LOSING THE "GRAINY" EFFECT WHICH REDUCED THE GLARE. THE DASH IS STICKY AND VERY REFLECTIVE IN THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10650987 · filed Oct 29, 2014

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 ID 10334148 · filed Jun 1, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM IN MY THIRD SEASON DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK TO LAKE TAHOE FOR WINTER SKI SEASON. I'VE ALWAYS FELT CONFIDENT DRIVING ON SNOWY OR ICY ROADS UNTIL MY LAST TWO TRIPS--CHRISTMAS 2008, AND NEW YEAR'S 2009. ON THESE TRIPS, I EXPERIENCED VERY DISTURBING FISHTAILING THAT EVERYONE IN THE CAR NOTICED, AND I HAD TO FIGHT TO COMPENSATE FOR. THIS OCCURRED EVEN ON LONG STRAIGHT SECTIONS. EACH TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN WELL BELOW THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, AND THE SPEED OF PREVIOUS TRIPS. THIS ISSUE MADE ME WONDER ABOUT IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE, SO WE CALLED THE TIRE DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THIS WAS NOT THE CAUSE. IT FELT AS IF THE REAR WHEEL TRACTION WAS OVERCOMING FRONT WHEEL TRACTION, THAT MADE ME ALSO WONDER WHETHER THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I ALSO CONSIDERED WEIGHT AS A CAUSE, BECAUSE ONE DAY I DROVE FROM RENO TO TAHOE WITH ONLY ONE PASSENGER, AND LITTLE CARGO, AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. BUT, THE FULLY LOADED VEHICLE WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN MANY TRIPS THE PREVIOUS TWO SEASONS, WHEN THE FISHTAILING DID NOT OCCUR, AND I COULD MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED TO STAY WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. SAME VEHICLE, SAME TIRES, SAME LOADS, SAME ROAD, SAME CONDITIONS, YET MUCH DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE. I NOTICED OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SOME OF WHICH REFER TO "GHOSTWALKING." PLEASE WORK ON IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE AND SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE, TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT/INJURY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID 10253921 · filed Jan 6, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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