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: engine
51 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 15, 2022
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
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 9, 2020, fire
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?
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 5, 2019
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.
Engine, Jan 20, 2019
LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, TN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. CAR WAS ON AND IN DRIVE, BUT GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. WAS ABLE TO IDLE TO SHOULDER. WHEN GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL OR PARK, CAR WOULD REV UP TO 2K RPM. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, CAR RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPEND TWICE SO FAR, BUT AUTO SHOP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE SINCE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY ON.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2018
THE CRUISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS FLASH. CAR LOOSES POWER AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Mar 26, 2018
I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WITH LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL WITHIN THE PAST WEEK ON A SUBARU I JUST BOUGHT. THE FIRST I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT WHEN I LOST RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WENT TO A LOW RPM WHICH ALLOWED ME TO JUST BARELY ROLL INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. WHEN THROTTLE CONTROL WAS LOST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LETTING IT SIT A MOMENT I TRIED TO TURN IT ON AGAIN, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND IT STARTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF. THE SECOND TIME WAS NEARLY IDENTICAL BUT DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL ON A HIGHWAY AROUND 65 MPH. AGAIN THROTTLE CONTROL WAS LOST AND ENGINE WENT TO LOW RPM SO I COULD BARELY PROGRESS UP THE HILL AT 20-30MPH TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON IMMEDIATELY. BEFORE I TURNED THE CAR OFF THE ENGINE WAS IDLING ROUGH, ABOUT 2000 RPM. AGAIN IT TOOK TWO TRIES TO START BUT THEN I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. AFTER DRIVING IT TWO OR THREE TIMES THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF. IN EITHER SITUATION I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY IN A HIGH SPEED AREA AS THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY MAINTAIN A LOW SPEED DUE TO THE LOW ENGINE RPM (2K-3K). THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT OCCURS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A FAULT IN THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM.
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
Engine, Apr 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Mar 30, 2017
RINGLAND ISSUE ONCE AGAIN ANOTHER RINGLAND ISSUE THIS IS WITH MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK XT. YES, THIS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY BY A GRANDMOTHER AND SERVICED WITH THE PRECISION OF A FORMULA RACE CAR. WHY HAS SUBARU NOT JUST COME OUT AND SAID YES OUR VEHICLES FROM 2005-2006 WERE GARBAGE AND THE RINGLANDS WERE JUNK. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM EVEN THINKING ABOUT REPLACING A STOCK RINGLAND ON A VECHICLE...NO OTHER CAR....NONE HAS HAD AS MANY ISSUES WITH RINGLANDS AS SUBARU. CAR IS NOW EXPERIENCING MISFIRES, AND SOME LOSS OF OIL AS LOSS OF POWER...COMPRESSION IN CYLINDERS IS NOW DOWN TO 30% SO THIS IS NOT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE...THIS IS A DEFECT A MANUFACTURES DEFECT OR A METALLURGICAL DEFECT AND THEY REALLY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR OLDER CUSTOMERS...WE ARE ALL JUST SITTING ON TICKING BOMBS. LOVE YA GUYS AND STAY CLASSY
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 8, 2016
JUST RECEIVED "TAKATA RECALL" LETTER STATING THERE ARE NOW SUFFICIENT PARTS AVAILABLE. AT THE SAME TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CRUISE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL WORK AND TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND THAT A CODE P2138 IS FOUND WITH THIS OCCURRENCE AND IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. MY WIFE CALLED ME ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK AND SAID THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. SHE PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. I DROVE TO HER LOCATION. SHE STARTED THE CAR AND GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO BE OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. I FOLLOWED HER HOME AND WAS THANKFUL THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS GETTING BACK. I WILL DETERMINE WHETHER TO DRIVE VEHICLE OR HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER FOR SCHEDULED APPT. NEXT WED.KIND OF MAKES SENSE NOW BECAUSE WHEN I DROVE THE CAR THE DAY BEFORE TO GET GAS, THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, WHICH I FOUND UNUSUAL, AS THE CAR RUNS GREAT WITH PLENTY OF POWER.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND THE EPM WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Engine, Oct 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE SLOWLY IDLED AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNPREDICTABLE. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT TOOK OVER THIRTY MINUTES TO RESTART PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO GET A COMPUTER CODE FROM A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE WHILE THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE CODE WAS (P2138). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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.
Engine, Apr 27, 2016
THROTTLE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THROTTLE COMPLETELY FAILS. NO ACCELERATION, CAR WILL ONLY MOVE AT AUTOMATIC IDLE SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS -- VERY LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN AN INTERSECTION OR WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR. TURNS OUT TO BE COMMON FOR THIS MODEL -- MY CAR HAS 127,000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 7, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED - CITY STREET 45MPH -- LOST ABILITY TO THROTTLE. NO THROTTLE, ENGINE, OR ACCELERATION RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL. CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE LIGHTS BLINKING. AFTER PULLING OVER, TURNED OFF ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING AFTER A MINUTE, THROTTLE CAPABILITY RETURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, UNEXPECTEDLY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 12, 2015
I RECENTLY HAD P2138.. ONE TIME. NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, STOPPED ON A HILL ON A 2 LANE ROAD, ON A CURVE, IN BIG SUR.. NOT GOOD. ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN HILL AFTER THE ONES BEHIND HAD ALL PASSED ME. TURNED OFF CAR, WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES, THEN IT FIXED ITSELF AFTER A RESTART. JIGGLED THE PEDAL CONNECTOR AND IT HAS BEEN GONE FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS WHILE WAITING FOR MY MECHANIC TO HAVE ROOM IN HIS SCHEDULE TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE PEDAL (WHICH HAS A PEDAL POSITION SENSOR), TWO DAYS FROM NOW.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 28, 2015
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ACCELERATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT WORKED FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES SO FAR AND AFTER READING MANY POSTS ON OUTBACK FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIGURED OUT BY SUBARU.
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.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 21, 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
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
Engine, Dec 30, 2014
DRIVING ALONG - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. I IMMEDIATELY LOSE ACCELERATION - NEED TO PULL OVER (THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS ACCURS). HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF - WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTART. LIGHTS STILL STAY ON BUT ACCELERATION IS NORMAL. I HAVE SEEN MANY DIFFERENT REASON CODES FOR THIS PROBLEM - I AM NOW TAKING TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO HAVE HIM GO OVER IT AND HOPEFULLY FIX THIS. VERY, VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENS. DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE!!! ONE WOULD THINK THAT A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE SUBARU WOULD STAND BEHIND THIS DANGEROUS FLAW WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND CORRECT THE ISSUE!!! *JS
Engine, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 20, 2014
SLOWING AT INTERSECTION TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT CAME ON. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (VEHICLE WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME) ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE (COULD GET NO ACCELERATION OUT OF THE CAR WHEN PRESSING THE PEDAL) AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THROUGH INTERSECTION TO TURN. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO WAS ABLE TO GET ENOUGH POWER TO RUN AT ABOUT 10MPH TOPS WITH HAZARDS ON TO GET A LOCATION WHERE I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY AFTER (THREE CRANKS WITH NO RESPONSE) AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THOUGH, IT RESTARTED AND SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY, NO PROBLEMS WITH SPEED. DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS P2138 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "A"/"B" VOLTAGE CORRELATION. *TR