2006 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 281 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 7 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 20V003000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 20V002000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 20V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V297000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V323000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V311000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V110000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2022
Rear hatch door malfunction of security lock.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 1, 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.
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2021
OBD Code P2138 (Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor/ Switch D / E voltage correlation). This code pops up intermittently resulting in the car going into "limp mode". Truly dangerous, if this occurs when traveling at speed in traffic or when pulling away from a stop light. It is hard to pin down; but, it generally happens with high humidity or When you start the car after a cool night when there has been a lot of condensation that has formed on the car. A check of Subaru forums shows that this is a prevalent and / or recurring problem with many Subaru models. (I have also found mention of similar problems with other manufactures.) Dealers and mechanics have confirmed this problem with other Subaru makes. There is no advance warning of this malfunction until after it occurs. Once it occurs the car goes into "limp mode", the check engine light flashes and the cruise control light flashes.
Electrical system, Air bags, Wheels, Mar 26, 2021
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!
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Feb 29, 2020
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
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WERE THEN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THEN RECONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2020
VEHICLE DEVELOPED ISSUE ERROR CODE P2138, THROTTLE SENSOR ON GAS PEDAL DESYNCHRONIZES CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO EMERGENCY SAFETY MODE WHERE POWER IS LOST, GOES INTO A HIGH IDLE, AND VEHICLE MUST BE PARKED AND RESTARTED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE POWERTRAIN REACTIVATES. CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF POTENTIOMETER ON THROTTLE PEDAL THAT WEARS A BARE SPOT. REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLE (GAS PEDAL) REQUIRED TO RESOLVE ISSUE, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY START OCCURRING AGAIN DUE TO POOR DESIGN. HAS OCCURRED WHEN PEDAL ISN'T BEING USED (CRUISE CONTROL ONLY), AS WELL AS DURING NORMAL DRIVING AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 4, 2018
WHILE DRIVING CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH. CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT LONGER RESPOND DROPPING THE CARS SPEED DRASTICALLY. THIS CAN HAPPEN ON ANY ROAD, AT ANY SPEED, AND ANY WEATHER CONDITION. TEMPORARY FIX IS TO STOP AND CYCLE THE CARS POWER THREE OR FOUR TIMES. MORE PERMANENT FIX IS TO REPLACE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY-ACCELERATOR AT A COST OF $199. HAPPENED A FEW DOZEN TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY GOT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED. ISSUED STARTED EARLY 2016, AND REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY IN 2018.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 10, 2017
ON STREET, FROM PARK WITH ENGINE IDLING, CAR IN DRIVE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEAD AT FIRST, THEN HIGH RPM 3000+ WITH PEDAL RELEASED. NO CONTROL OF ENGINE RPM. CEL AND CC ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. KILLED IGNITION SWITCH. ENGINE SHUT DOWN. RESTARTED ENGINE AND RPM WAS NORMAL. VERY FRIGHTENING! FOUND DTC P2138 ACC PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE. CALLED SUBARU SUPPORT, NO SUCH RECORD OF FAILURE. CALLED DEALER FROM WHICH CAR WAS PURCHASED, ANSWER WAS BRING CAR IN AND WILL TRY TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FAILURE AND DANGER. PLEASE SEE THIS FAILURE ON GOOGLE. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. I AM APPREHENSIVE TO PUT THIS CAR ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN IT. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PURSUED IN THESE DRIVE BY WIRE VEHICLES AS THIS CAR IS. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.. THANK YOU
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 10, 2017
CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ALL POWER AS YOU ARE DRIVING AND RPM GAUGE GOES UP AS CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GO ON. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT SUBARU CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, BUT SUBARU IGNORES NEED FOR RECALLS. MONEY SPENT ON TROUBLESHOOTING IS RIDICULOUS! CAR WORKS FINE AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, ONLY TO HAPPEN SUDDENLY WEEKS LATER. GAS PEDAL ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY AND OR THROTTLEBODY ISSUES. ALSO SUBARU CARS FROM 2006 AND OLDER ALL HAVE HEAD GASKET LEAKS. THEY NEVER RECALLED CARS FOR THAT PROBLEM. THAT COSTS $1600. THEY USED A DIFFERENT GASKET MATERIAL AFTER 2007
Electrical system, Air bags, May 17, 2017
HI, I'M WRITING YOU TO TO INFORM YOU OF A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 05-09 SUBARU OUTBACK AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION BOARD, LOCATED IN THE DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS ASSEMBLED WITH POOR QUALITY SOLDERS BETWEEN THE BOARD AND DIODES, THIS RESULTS IN FAILURE OF THE BOARD, THIS IS OFTEN SEEN IN LOWER TEMPERATURES WHEN THE SOLDERS CRACK DUE TO THERMAL CONTRACTION. WHEN ONE OF THESE SOLDERS FAILS, IT CAUSES 2 ISSUES, 1, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DON'T COME ON CORRECTLY, AND 2, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED. THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN TO THE SUBARU OWNERS COMMUNITY. MY DEALER WANTS ABOUT $260 TO FIX IT. THANKS.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2017
UNEXPECTEDLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, THE CAR WILL IDLE HIGH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL NOT RESPOND, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON. THE CAR WON'T MOVE EVEN WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN THE CAR OFF, AND WAIT UNTIL THE CAR STARTS, THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE LAST YEAR AND TWICE THIS YEAR; THE LAST TIME BEING 2/17/17. I WAS LUCKY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD. THE SECOND TIME WAS MORE DIFFICULT AS I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STREET IN WINTER, AND THE LAST TIME I HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND HAD JUST GONE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION IN A SUBURB AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I DID BRING IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO RAN THE CODE, WHICH WAS P2138, THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I WILL BE GETTING THIS REPAIRED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEVERITY OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RESPONDING WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,341.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2016
BROKEN WIRES IN HATCHBACK PORTION THAT AFFECTS LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, RADIO ANTENNA AND POTENTIALLY ALL TAILLIGHTS. WAS THIS WAY WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED AND OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT TIME OF PURCHASE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 2, 2016
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2015
SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING; CONNECTION BETWEEN GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE CONTROL IS FAULTY. FORCES DRIVER TO COAST TO A STOP AND TURN OFF CAR. NO ABILITY TO USE GAS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY FASTER.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 8, 2015
WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, AND SPORT LIGHT WAS FLASHING, CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH AND COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. IT WAS REVVED UP TO REDLINE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM MY DESTINATION, SO I LIMPED IT THERE AND SHUT IT OFF. I HAD IT SCANNED WITH A CODE SCANNER AND CODE "P2138" (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR) CAME UP. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND IT USUALLY IS RELATED TO GAS PEDAL ASSY. IT HAS NOT YET HAPPENED SINCE CLEARING THE CODE AND MAKING SURE THE PLUG ON THE PEDAL WAS TIGHT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2015
P2138 CODE - THROTTLE ISSUE --- TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, LUCKILY ON A SIDE STREET,WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. THEN I LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I NORMALLY TAKE THE HIGHWAY TO WORK BUT THIS DAY THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE SIDE STREETS INSTEAD. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WITH NO RESPONSE. I COASTED TO A SIDE STREET AND TURNED IN WITH NO INCIDENT, THANK GOD. I WAS NEAR A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND I ASKED FOR THEIR HELP BUT THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WORK ON SUBARU. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL AAA WHEN I THOUGHT TO RESTART THE CAR TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO SO I COULD TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. I GAVE IT GAS AND IT WENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ON. I DROVE SLOWLY TO ANOTHER SERVICE PLACE AND THEY FOUND THE CODE P2138 AND SAID I COULD DRIVE IT BUT TO GET IT TO A DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS I COULD. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT LOCATED IN MY TOWN AND TAKES 20-30 BY HIGHWAY TO GET TO ONE OF THEM. I AM VERY UNSURE OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY NOW AND HAVE THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. I DRIVE THE HIGHWAYS A LOT IN ORDER TO FIT MY DAILY SCHEDULE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR ME TO SEE ELDERLY MOTHER WHO LIVES 30 MINUTES AWAY BY HIGHWAY. I LOVE MY SUBARU EVEN AFTER HAVING HAD THE TYPICAL 2006 PROBLEMS LIKE HEAD GASKET LEAK AND SUCH WHICH I CONSIDER ACCEPTABLE FOR THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON HER. I HAD PLANNED ON GETTING ANOTHER SUBARU IN THE FUTURE BUT NOT HAVING POWER IS EXTREMELY SCARY AND WILL MAKE ME SHOP ELSEWHERE IF THIS IS TYPICAL. *TR UPDATED 4/21/16 *JS
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2015
MY FIANCEE WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE, BUT THE ENGINE REMAINED IDLING. MY PARTNER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED RESTARTING RIGHT AWAY BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CEL WAS ON WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BLINKING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET THE CODE READ IT GAVE THE P2138 ERROR CODE. IN THE LAST MONTH THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES, INCLUDING WHEN ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC THIS MORNING. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY WITH '06 SUBARUS AND RECOMMENDED I GET THE WVU31 RECALL UPDATE, WHICH I AM REALLY HOPING WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND ESSENTIALLY MAKES MY CAR UNDRIVEABLE AS I AM NEVER CERTAIN WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WILL OCCUR. IF THIS HAPPENS WHERE THERE IS NO SHOULDER IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 20, 2015
SUDDEN DECELERATION OF VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR GOES LIMP. VEHICLE IS RESTARTABLE AFTER 5 MINUTES, HOWEVER THE THROTTLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTERWARD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY, THUS IT DRIVES MUCH SLOWER, AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE 60 MPH. PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 5, 2015
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. SHE WAS DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS. SHE WAS DRIVING THE 2 MILE BRIDGE TO OUR HOME WHEN THE ACCELERATION SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SLOWED FROM 55 MPH TO 35 MPH. THE ROADS HAD SNOW AND ICE ON THEM. THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER CLOSED IN ON THE REAR OF OUR SUBARU AND BEGAN HONKING AND FLASHING ITS LIGHTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN OUR CAR CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FLASHED. SHE WAS SCARED BY THE MISFUNCTION. THE CAR REVVED UP ABOVE 4000 RPMS WHEN SHE PUT IT INTO PARK. SHE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND I CHECKED AND FOUND AN ERROR CODE. P2138. THE ACCELERATOR HAS 2 CIRCUITS THAT RELAY THE DESIRED SPEED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. WHEN THE CIRCUITS DON'T MATCH THE COMPUTER CUTS THE SPEED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I THINK THAT THE ENGINEERING BEHIND THIS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RE THOUGHT SO THAT THIS DOESN'T OCCUR. I READ OTHER REPORTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHO HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THANKFULLY IT WAS 10:30PM AND THERE WAS A LOWER VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED, AND STILL NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. TURNED OFF AGAIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THIS TIME THERE WAS THROTTLE RESPONSE, BUT CEL WAS STILL ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CEL LIGHT WAS OFF AND VEHICLE RUNNING FINE. NOW, A WEEK LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE NO POWER WHILE DRIVING. ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS TRAFFIC AROUND. THE FEAR IS BEING RUN INTO FROM BEHIND, OR BEING STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BECOME PREY FOR THE UNSAVORY. THIS SITUATION NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR