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: power train
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jan 17, 2020
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
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.
Power train, Feb 6, 2017
WHEN COMING TO A STOP, OUR SUBARU OUTBACK SHUDDERS AND STALLS OUT. THIS HAPPENS ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND HAS BECOME A BIT OF A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. ON FEBRUARY 6TH 2017, I WENT TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE CENTER AND THEY INSPECT THE CAR AND EXPLAINED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATE COMPONENTS AND THIS WAS VALIDATED BY A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB #16-90-13R . THEY EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERT WOULD BE $1546 DOLLARS PLUS TAXES. I SEE THIS MORE OF A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AS A RECALL. OUR VEHICLE HAS 96,404 MILE AS OF THIS DATE AND IS WELL MAINTAIN WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POTION AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
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.
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.
Steering, Power train, Nov 22, 2014
BOOTS CRACK AND YOU MUST REPLACE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT. LEFT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS JUST REPLACED @100,000 MILES AS THE BOOT CRACKED ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL. THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS DRIVE SHAFT SITS OVER THE TOP OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH NO SHIELD TO BLOCK THE HEAT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 19, 2014
MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS HAD A CODE P2138 ISSUE FOR OVER TWO MONTHS NOW. IN MANY CASES I AM IN THE CAR WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND END UP BEING IN DANGER FOR NO REASON. LOOSING 99% OF POWER WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL OR TO THE STORE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE HAVE NOT WORKED AND THE CAR ITSELF IS THOUGHT OF AS A DEATH TRAP IN OUR HOUSE. SUBARU DISREGARDS THE CODE AND OFFERS NO FIX. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2014
THE FIRST INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR WAS ME PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AFTER STOPPING AT A GAS STATION AND THE RPMS SUDDENLY SHOT UP TO 2000. AFTER FILLING THE TANK, I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED WITH NOW THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON AND "CRUISE" FLASHING. THE LIGHTS SELF-CORRECTED LATER THAT DAY BEFORE I COULD HAVE THE CODE READ. THE NEXT INCIDENT I WAS IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE WITH A GREEN ARROW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CAME ON AND I SUDDENLY LOST THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS COMPLETELY LIMP. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON IT THE CAR JUST MOVED ALONG AT IDLE SPEED, LESS THAN 5 MPH. I BARELY MADE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I LOST THE GREEN ARROW. I PULLED OVER, PUT IT IN PARK, THE RPMS WENT TO 2000, THEN I TURNED IT OFF. TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. TRIED IT A SECOND TIME AND IT FIRED RIGHT UP AND THE GAS PEDAL FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE WERE ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE TO HAVE THE CODE READ AND IT CAME UP WITH P2138, AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED TWICE MORE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET A PROPER DIAGNOSIS FROM A MECHANIC AND THEY OCCURRED ANYWHERE FROM ONE TO TWO WEEKS APART. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL BY SUBARU. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Jan 14, 2014, crash
SUBARU OUTBACK BEGAN TO EXHIBIT "GHOST WALKING" WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DURING A WINTER STORM. REAR END ATTEMPTED TO RACE THE FRONT END, AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL. THIS "GHOST WALKING" IS WELL DISCUSSED IN THE ONLINE FORM AT SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG. CAR EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL 3 TIMES. THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT THE NORMALLY SLIDING ON ICE. THE REAR END SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 29, 2013
FOUR TIMES IN ONE MONTH PRIOR THE ABOVE DATE, THIS VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF GEAR AND PUT INTO PARK!! IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO PROPERLY KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING IN TRAFFIC. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE DRIVER WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A HILL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AGAIN DID NOT PROPERLY HOLD THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER HAD TO OPEN HER DOOR, EXIT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PHYSICALLY STOP IT FROM ROLLING DOWNHILL IN TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY RAN OVER BY A PASSING SEMI TRAILER TRUCK. THIS IS A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, OFTEN THROUGH THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. DURING THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC COMPUTER PARTS MALFUNCTION. AFTER THESE EXPENSIVE AND POSSIBLY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STOP FOR NO REASON IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF GEAR AND PUT INTO PARK!! I KNOW OF NO OTHER VEHICLE WHERE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. AFTER THE LATEST BREAKDOWN, UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER LOCATED A SECTION OF WIRE LOOM THAT HAD WORN BARE AND POSSIBLY HAD CAUSED A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS WORN SPOT IN THE WIRE LOOM MAY HAVE TRIPPED UP THE LOGIC IN THE VEHICLE COMPUTER AND BEEN THE REASON THE DRIVER COULD NOT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AFTER BREAKING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. IF THIS ELECTRICAL WIRE LOOM CAUSED THIS "MALFUNCTION", IT WOULD PUT ANYONE IN THIS VEHICLE IN A POSITION WHERE THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY, OR DEATH. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY YOUR DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 21, 2012
I HAVE 2006 SUBARU OUT BACK SPORT WAGON WHICH IS A BASIC SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON WITH DUAL PAINT. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE ON ROAD CAR BEGIN TO CHOKE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISECONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND START BLINKING. THE CAR ENGINE WANTS TO CUT OFF WHENEVER IN STOP SO IN LOW IDLE AND IT DID CUT OFF ON THE DRIVE WAY. FROM THE SHOP DIAGNOSE RETRIVED DTC P0304 CYLIDER #4 MISFIRE CHECK IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM OK, CHECK COMPRESSION 25PSI RECOMMEND ENGINE SHOP, POSSIBLE VALVE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD SAME CAR TRANSMISSION REBUILD ON THE CAR 97XXX MILES AGO. COST $3589.XX. NOW I NEED TO REBUILD THE ENGINE, MAN THIS SUBARU IS A NIGHTMARE. *TT
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Jan 28, 2012
STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING ON FLAT CONCRETE HIGHWAY, REAR END OF VEHICLE MAY START TO WANDER WHEN ROAD IS SLIPPERY. THIS OCCURS GENERALLY OVER 25MPH, WHEN ALL OTHER VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO TRAVEL AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THAN THE 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.0R IS ABLE TO. CARS WILL PASS WHILE I AM WHITE KNUCKLED, CONCERNED THE REAR END IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSE COMPLETE CONTROL FAILURE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER SUBARU DRIVERS, AND THIS IS BEING REFERRED TO AS "GHOST WALKING" - THIS IS A VERY GOOD DESCRIPTION AS THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. ESSENTIALLY, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FEELS LIKE IT IS SENDING TOO MUCH POWER TO THE REAR END, UNDER EVEN/CONSTANT SPEED, AND CAUSING THE REAR TO BREAK LOOSE. OR, THERE IS A ALIGNMENT GEOMETRY PROBLEM. VERY UNSETTLING AND VERY UNEXPECTED FOR A HIGHLY REGARDED ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS AND NONE HAVE DONE THIS IN THE SAME CONDITIONS. VERY HARD TO RECREATE FOR DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURE, AS IT REQUIRES PRECISE ROAD CONDITIONS. JUST SO HAPPENS IT IS PRECISELY THE ROAD CONDITIONS THAT MOST PEOPLE MIGHT BUY A SUBARU (IN MN OR CO). VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2012
FIRST OCCURRENCE 12/5/11. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I LOST THE ABILITY ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A PARKING SPACE, SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WAS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. AFTER AND HOUR I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND ALL SEEMED FINE. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND PROBLEM P2138, ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALL SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. SECOND OCCURRENCE 1/21/12. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SIDE ROAD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I ONCE AGAIN LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SHUT THE CAR OFF, SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I GOT MY CAR HOME AND HOOKED UP THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO IT AND GOT THE SAME P2138 CODE. I READJUSTED THE WIRES CONNECTING THE ACCELERATOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. OBVIOUSLY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Dec 16, 2009
I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED WAGON. DRIVING ON WET ROADS, NOT EVEN ICY, THE MOST MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD, OR FROST HEAVE, WILL SEND THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SWAYING, ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN AS GHOST WALKING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS IT HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ON STRAIGHT ROADS, AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE LANE. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS SUBARU DEALERSHIP PERFORMING A FULL ALIGNMENT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AWD, SO RAIN SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR. I ALSO NOTICE THIS SWAYING HAPPEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, BUT NOT AS THREATENING. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS PLAY IN THE REAR END, BUT CAR WAS FULLY SAFETY CHECKED BY SUBARU AND PASSED ALL POINTS. SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FLAW IN THE AWD, NAMELY THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN THE REAR END. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN WINTER CONDITIONS, YET THAT'S WHAT SUBARU'S ARE KNOWN FOR. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 6, 2009
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
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2008
WHEN DRIVING OUR SUBARU 2006 2.5I OUTBACK WAGON (4-SPEED AUTO W/SPORT SHIFT) IN WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS, WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE REAR OF THE CAR BEGINS TO FLOAT OR DO MINI-FISHTAILS. IT FEELS LIKE THE REAR WHEELS ARE ALTERNATELY PUSHING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH OR LIKE THERE ARE WIND GUSTS HITTING THE CAR. THE FLOATING HAS A RHYTHMIC FEEL AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY MILES UNTIL THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGE. WHEN THE CAR IS 'FLOATING', YOU SENSE THAT ANY CHANGE (STEERING, GAS OR BRAKING) WILL CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AND WHILE WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, IT IS A TRULY SCARY DRIVING SENSATION AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE ONLY SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO EASE UP ON GAS UNTIL YOU FIND A SPEED (USUALLY UNDER 40 MPH) WHERE THE FLOATING IS LESS PRONOUNCED. THIS IS OUR 9TH SUBARU AND WE HAVE 18 YEARS EXPERIENCE DRIVING SUBARU AWD VEHICLES ON MINNESOTA WINTER ROADS. NONE OF OUR FORMER CARS, UP THROUGH THE 2004 OUTBACK, EVER BEHAVED IN THE MANNER. PLEASE NOTE, NOT ALL WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS SEEM TO TRIGGER THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MOST FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED THE FLOATING WHEN ON ASPHALT ROAD SURFACES THAT ARE ICY OR COVERED IN COMPACTED SNOW OR SLUSH. I HAVE HAD IT OCCUR ON COMPLETELY STRAIGHT ROADS UNDER STEADY THROTTLE WHILE TRAVELING UNDER 45 MPH. WHEN IT OCCURS, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DRIVING AT SAFE SPEEDS AND HAVE NOTED THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE PASSING BY AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS AND SEEMED COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT WITH THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE MOST SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER WE HAD NEW MICHELIN TIRES PUT ON AND THE DEALER HAD COMPLETED AN ALIGNMENT. NO OTHER PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A SUBARU. YOUR DATABASE OF VINS COMES UP WITH THE KEYSTONE RV MANUFACTURER. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Feb 22, 2008
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS SIDE) WHEEL SQUEALS AT LOW SPEEDS. SOUND IS INTERMITTENT, BUT ALWAYS PRESENT AT START OF USAGE. TAKEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS. EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT OK, BUT NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. POSSIBLE WHEEL BEARING ISSUE? *TR