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: vehicle speed control
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2015
I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I ATTEMPTED TO GIVE THE CAR GAS TO BEGIN MOVING AND THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE PEDAL. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ON AND THE RADIO WAS PLAYING. I HAD SOME POWER AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE FLOW OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PARKED BUT DID NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS AND TRIED THE PEDAL AGAIN. NOTHING! I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I ATTEMPTED AND THIS TIME THERE WAS POWER IN THE PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT IS FLASHING. I HAVE DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT MY MECHANIC. THIS WAS SCARY WITH TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN ON ME AT RUSH HOUR AND NO WHERE TO GO INITIALLY. I AM JUST VERY THANKFUL I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2015
I WAS TRAVELING ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY AT THE POSTED MILEAGE (60 MPH). SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS PEDAL LOST ALL POWER. THE CRUISE LIGHT WAS ALSO FLASHING. I TRIED FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SPEED RAPIDLY DECREASED TO LESS THAN 20 MPH. THIS HAPPENED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AND NO TIME TO GET OFF A BUSY THOROUGHFARE. THIS OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 PM, SO FORTUNATELY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT EXTREMELY HEAVY. I WAS ABLE TO CUT ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC THAT WAS GOING 60 MPH +, EXIT ON AN OFF-RAMP, AND GET TO A SAFE LOCATION TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE OUTCOME WAS CODE P2138 (ACCELERATOR SENSOR). THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $340. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2006, AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP PER THEIR SERVICE SCHEDULE. HOWEVER, UNTIL THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THERE?S NO DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE EVER BEEN CAUGHT BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. IF IT HAD BEEN AT ANOTHER TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED BY DRIVERS GOING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 7, 2015
VEHICLE IS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK SEDAN 'LL BEAN EDITION. UPON TRAVELING TO WORK AT 5:30AM, GOING UP HILL AT 40 MPG, THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING BUT THE ENGINE WAS AT HIGH RPM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STEADY WITH CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHING. HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS AS THIS WAS A DARK ROAD. TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TWICE TO GET THE CAR TO START. ON THE THIRD TRY IT STARTED AND PEDAL DID WORK BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WITH THE CRUISE LIGHT FLASHING. DROVE SLOWLY TO WORK WHICH WAS A MILE AWAY AND THE SAFEST PLACE TO PARK THE CAR. UPON GETTING IT TO MY GARAGE LATER THAT DAY THEY SCANNED THE CODES FROM THE COMPUTER AND IT SHOWED A P2138-THROTTLE /PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR. HAD TO GET THE COMPLETE GAS PEDAL WITH SENSOR FROM A AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND REPLACE IT. WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC OR A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *JS
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, MY 2006 OUTBACK SEDAN LOST ACCELERATION CONTROL AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE IN WHICH IT WAS ONLY IDLING AND HAD NO CONTROL FROM ACCELERATOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FROM DRIVE, MOVED THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. IT STARTED UP FINE BUT SEEMS TO BE IDLING LOW, SPUTTERING AND HESITATING A LITTLE. ESPECIALLY WHEN REVERSING SLOWLY OR PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR VERY LIGHTLY FROM IDLE. A MECHANIC NEARBY SAID THE PROBLEM CODE WAS READING "BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR." I BELIEVE THE ERROR CODE WAS P2138. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE AND AS OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED, THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A COMMON PROBLEM YET NO REAL REASON FOR THE FAILURE CAN BE IDENTIFIED. SOME HAVE SAID THAT REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH INCLUDES THE AFOREMENTIONED SENSOR HELPED THE SITUATION. OTHER SAID THAT REPLACING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WHICH INCLUDES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR HAS HELPED. IN A FEW CASES WITH BOTH REPAIRS, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I AM BRINGING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO READ THE HISTORY OF FAILURE CODES AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. A NOTE TO FELLOW COMPLAINANTS OUT THERE, PLEASE UPDATE YOUR POST IF YOU HAD A REPAIR DONE WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE AN RECURRENCE IF ANY SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, IT REALLY WOULD HELP THE REST OF US OUT THERE WHO DON'T WANT TO LET THE DEALERSHIPS SCRATCH THEIR HEADS AND CHARGE US FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2015
WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE NORMALLY, BUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR HAD NO AFFECT ON THE ENGINE. SEARCHING FORUMS RETURNS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE THROTTLE OF THESE VEHICLES. HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AS OPPOSED TO A 30MPH RESIDENTIAL STREET, IT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *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
Vehicle speed control, Dec 2, 2014
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A FLASHING CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT. WHEN I STARTED UP THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. MY CAR STARTED TO ROLL AND GOT UP TO 10 MPH ( THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH). THE RPM GAUGE STAYED AT 2000 RPMS. I PULLED ON TO A SIDE STREET WITH MY FLASHERS ON AND PARKED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND STARTED IT. STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF A SECOND TIME. THIS TIME THE ENGINE DIDN'T START. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT TAKE A LONG TIME (10 SECONDS) BUT IT FINALLY STARTED. NOW THE GAS PEDAL RESPONDED. I DRIVE MY CAR HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE CRUISE STILL FLASHED. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE WHERE THEY SAID THE CODE WAS P2138. THANK GOODNESS THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND A SIDE STREET. *TR UPDATED 12/21/15 *JS
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
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
Vehicle speed control, Nov 10, 2014
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND IGNITION TURNED, THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A HIGH RPM. WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AT 15 MPH, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, AS DID THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT. DEPRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF BUTTON DID NOT CHANGE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR. TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME. THE SAME THING OCCURRED SEVERAL DAYS LATER. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THEY CHARGED ME $403.88 AS A REPLACEMENT. I SEE NOW ON THE WEB THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAIL AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INCIDENT. IT IS ALSO VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT ALL OCCURRED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF HAVING $2400 OF SERVICE ALREADY ON THE VEHICLE (ENGINE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, TIMING BELT, TRANS FLUID FLUSH, TIRE ROTATE), AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO GET ISSUES DEALT WITH (TWICE WITH THE ACCELERATOR ISSUE, ONCE BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE POWER STEERING BELT). *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 24, 2014
SUBARU OUTBACK/LEGACY 2006 - INTERMITTENT ISSUE OVER A FEW MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CRUISE CONTROL FLASHES AND CAR GOES LIMP, GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING. AFTER CAR GOES LIMP, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF, BUT ONCE CAR IS PUT IN PARK FOR IT TO BE TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE REVS TO APPROX. 2000 RPMS ON ITS OWN. THE CAR THEN HAS TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES TO ATTEMPT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND THE GAS PEDAL TO WORK AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS THROWN THE CODE P2138. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN MORE SO AS IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, WHERE THE CAR WILL LOSE SPEED DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOT WORKING AND THE CAR HAS ESSENTIALLY BECOME A ROADBLOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF FAST ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THIS EXACT CAR MAKE/YEAR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT IS PREVALENT TO THIS PARTICULAR CAR. SUBARU NEEDS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND OFFER A SAFETY RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE - AT THE VERY LEAST, THE COST OF REPAIRS TO FIX THIS KNOWN AND PREVALENT ISSUE WITH THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-25 THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE, I NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WHEN THE CODE WAS READ A P2138 THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATOR THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENS ALOT WITH THIS YEAR SUBARU. HE TOLD ME BY JUST SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD HAVE DRIVEN NORMAL,WHEN HE STARTED IT AGAIN IT DID DRIVE NORMAL. HE SENDS THEM TO A SUBARU DEALER AND TELLS THE PEOPLE THAT IF ENOUGH OF US COMPLAIN OR FILL IN A REPORT THEN SOMETHING MAY BE DONE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR IF IT LOSES ALL POWER DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2014
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SOON FOLLOWED BY THE FLASHING CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT. AT THE POINT, THE CAR BECAME NO LONGER RESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER BECAUSE AFTER BREAKING, I COULDN'T SPEED BACK UP. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON THE ENGINE REVVED AT A HIGH SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STILL FLASHING. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 4, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST THRUST EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL TURNING AT 2000 RPM, AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT LANE, SO IT WAS EASY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM READ THE CODE. THE CODE WAS P2138 WHICH IS THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 2, 2014
DRIVE-BY-WIRE THROTTLE RECEIVES SIGNAL ERROR (P2138) AND ECU CUTS OFF THROTTLE FUNCTION. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS CONDITION AS THE DRIVER IS THEN ENTIRELY UNABLE TO MODULATE SPEED. THIS ERROR HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITH NO WARNING ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SITUATIONS. THE LATEST ONE OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHERE COLLISIONS DUE TO DISABLED THROTTLE WERE NARROWLY AVOIDED. THIS ERROR AND THE VEHICLE'S ECU RESPONSE COULD KILL SOMEONE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 3, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO "BUCK" AND LOST POWER. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STEADY. HAPPENED EXACTLY THE SAME AGAIN TODAY, 6/3/2014. PROBLEM WAS CODED AS P2138 AND ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONE YEAR AGO. CAR WILL NEED TO GO IN TO MECHANIC AGAIN TODAY. EXPECT SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 2, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, THROTTLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 SEPARATE TIMES NOW. REPLACED ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY, BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES WITHOUT NOTICE. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 26, 2014
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TWICE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. BOTH TIME MY CAR GOES TO LIMO MODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. THE PEDAL DOES NOT REV THE ENGINE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TRIES, THE PEDAL WILL BECOME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 3 RESTARTS ONCE THE ENGINE IS REVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL BE NORMAL UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN. WHEN I READ THE CODE, IT'S P2138 INDICATING IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE 2 REDUCENT SENSORS ON THE PEDAL DISAGREEING ABOUT WHERE THE PEDAL IS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT! CALL SOA AND ASKED TO TAKE IT TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. BOUGHT THE CAR AT WEST SUBARU HERR BUFFALO,LIVE IN CANADA NOW. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2014
I WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AND PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I JUST ROLLED ALONG WITH NO POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I ROLLED INTO ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. I READ IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE AN EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP. I TOOK THE GAS CAP OFF AND RE-SEATED IT AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN ON THE THIRD TRY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR HAD POWER AGAIN AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS RESPONSIVE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THE CODE TO BE P3128. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE IN BUSY TRAFFIC. I HAD THE ENTIRE THROTTLE/PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT A COST OF APROX. $500 AND HOPE THAT THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 6, 2014
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A STEADY RATE OF 50MPH. SUDDENLY THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN TO FLASH AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT. THE VEHICLE ALSO BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN PRESSED OR DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAINTAIN A SPEED ABOUT 20MPH EVEN AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGING THE HAZARD LIGHTS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE RPM GAUGE THEN SKYROCKETS TO 3000-4000 RPM AND THE ENGINE BECOMES REALLY LOUD. I TURN THE KEY OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. NEGLECTING TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES RESULTS IN THE SAME BEHAVIOR. AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT STILL FLASHES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER 3 RESTARTS BOTH INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE OFF AND ALL SEEMS FINE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT IS A "BAD ACCELERATOR AND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY". THE DEALERSHIP THEN RESET THE CODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ON A RANDOM BASIS. LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2014
SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL IN TRAFFIC. CANNOT REV ENGINE OR MAINTAIN SPEED ABOVE 600 RPM/5 MPH; BARELY IDLING. CODES ON ECU INDICATE THROTTLE BODY POSITIONING SENSOR FAILURE. EVENTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, MEANING MY GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND I BEGAN TO COAST. AT THE MOMENT I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND MY CRUISE CONTROL BECAME DISABLED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING ON AND OFF THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS THEN ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I THEN WENT TO O'REILLY'S TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED, WHICH RESULTED IN CODE P2138 (THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR D-E VOLTAGE RATIONALITY). THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2014
SAME SYMPTOM HAPPENED TWICE: ONCE JUST AFTER STARTING FROM A SERVICE AREA ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SECOND ON SUBURBAN ROADS I DESCRIBE HERE. DURING A NORMAL 30 MILE SUBURBAN TRIP, AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE ENGINE SPEED OR POWER. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR A MINUTE THE CAR STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A DAY OR SO. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO INTERPRET THE CHECK ENGINE CODES; AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT THEY FOUND A P2138 CODE -- "ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR" FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY AND THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE RUNNING CORRECTLY AGAIN. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE ISSUE IS A FAILURE IN THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR: THERE ARE DUAL SENSORS IN THE ASSEMBLY AND IF THEIR READINGS DIFFER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS EFFECTIVELY "DISCONNECTED" AND THE DRIVER LOSES ALL POWER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE: THE FAILURE COULD JUST AS WELL HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SAFE STOP, AND HAVING THE FIRST INDICATION OF TROUBLE BEING "LOSING ALL POWER" IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2013
VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE SUDDENLY. WAS ABLE TO COAST AT ABOUT 20MPH OFF OF AN INTERSTATE TO A SAFE LOCATION CODE CHECK INDICATED P2138 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAULT. *TR