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
281 reports, newest first.
Wheels, Sep 15, 2009
RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE A REAR WHEEL BEARING IN MY 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK, WHICH ONLY HAS APPROX. 46,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE FAILURES IN THE NEWER SUBARUS, BUT THAT SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Steering, Aug 21, 2009
FRONT END TIE ROD DEFECTIVE. OEM PART. CAUGHT BY MECHANIC FIXING CHRONIC ALIGNMENT ISSUE WITH 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. I WAS TOLD WAS DANGEROUS CONDITION, AND FRONT END WAS SHIMMYING. REPLACED PART AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT SOURCE OF THE ODOR. WHEN UTILIZING THE HEATER OR DEFROST SYSTEM, THE ODOR BECAME OVERPOWERING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ODOR WAS NOT AS STRONG, YET STILL PRESENT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,903 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,198.
Suspension, Feb 16, 2009
2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK 2.5I WITH 44K MILES. ON HARD PACK SNOW/ICE/SLUSH THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE TENDENCY TO LOSE CONTROL AT THE REAR WHEELS. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES ANYTIME I ENCOUNTER THE IDENTICAL CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE ALIGNED AS SUGGESTED BY MY LOCAL SHORTLINE SUBARU DEALER AT MY COST. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE AT LESS THAN 30MPH WHILE TRACKING STRAIGHT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. AS THIS VEHICLE IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE DRIVERS WILL HAVE A TENDENCY TO USE THIS VEHICLE IN THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TEST THIS VEHICLES REAR SUSPENSION. *TR
Suspension, Jan 28, 2009
I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING ON SNOWPACKED/ICY ROADS THE REAR END BEGINS TO SWAY ABRUPTLY BACK AND FORTH, EVEN ON STRAIGHT SECTIONS OF ROAD. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO BECOME ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE AS IT WANTS TO START FISHTAILING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW WELL BELOW A SAFE SPEED AND THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC, CREATING ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE CAR IS LOADED WITH 3 TO 5 PASSENGERS PLUS SKI GEAR. I DO A LOT OF DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CO AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I JUST HAD MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP (FOR THE 2ND TIME) AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEIR VEHICLES EITHER. HIS ONLY RECOMMENDATION WAS TO GO TO A MORE AGGRESSIVE SNOW TIRE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF WHY THE CAR IS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT WOULD JUST CREATE MORE FRICTION ON THE ROAD SURFACE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE TRAVELING AT SAFE SPEEDS FOR THE CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO REASON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE TRYING TO FISHTAIL WHILE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD, REGARDLESS OF HOW SLIPPERY IT IS. *TR
Suspension, Jan 16, 2009
I OWN A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ABOUT 28,000 MILES. IT IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. ON "BLACK ICE", REGULAR ICE AND HARD SNOW PACK, IT WEAVES SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER BASICALLY LOSES THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE EXPERIENCE WOULD BE SIMILAR TO BE DRIVING WITH A STRONG SIDE WIND WHICH MOVES YOUR VEHICLE ON YOU. THE DIFFERENCE IS WITH THE WIND YOU CAN TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND STEER INTO THE WIND TO COUNTERACT ITS EFFECT. IN THIS CASE, YOU ARE CAPTIVE TO WHEREVER THE VEHICLE TAKES YOU AND CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT SHORT OF SLOWING DOWN OR STOP DRIVING IT ALTOGETHER. THIS IS UNNERVING TO SAY THE LEAST AND FRIGHTENING OTHERWISE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING BY ITSELF IS TO SLOW DOWN TO 35MPH OR LESS. WHILE I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT (YET), WHILE DRIVING IT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IT IS VERY NERVE RACKING. SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT TO THIS POINT. THEY MUST BE WAITING FOR FATALITIES OR LAWSUITS BEFORE THEY FEEL A "FIX" IS NECESSARY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS REAL AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT FIXED. *TR
Suspension, Jan 10, 2009
I EXPERIENCE A SIDE-TO-SIDE SHAKE ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO THE CAR AND IS NOT SIMPLY ROAD CONDITIONS. FWD, RWD, AND OTHER AWD VEHICLES ARE NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE AND I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO STAY ON THE ROAD AND AM DRIVING AS MUCH AS 20 - 30 MPH SLOWER THAN THE NEXT SLOWER CAR ON THE ROAD. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLE DYNAMICS ON ICE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 8, 2009
WHILE DRIVING ON ICY OR PACKED SNOW CONDITIONS SOMETIMES THE OUTBACK'S REAR-END FEELS LIKE IT'S BREAKING FREE, IN A SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION. THIS IS ALSO REFERRED TO AS GHOSTWALKING OR MAYBE FISHTAILING, BUT NOT THE KIND OF FISHTAILING MOST ARE FAMILIAR WITH. IT SEEMS THE CAR ISN'T EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THESE VERY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS AND AS A RESULT THE REAR-END STARTS WOBBLING. I'VE DRIVEN IN FOUL WEATHER MANY TIMES, MANY MILES, MANY YEARS AND DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER. I'M 99% SURE THIS CONDITION IS RESULTING FROM THE CAR, NOT THE DRIVER. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN I END UP DRIVING MUCH SLOWER THAN OTHER TRAFFIC, TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE ARE EAGER TO PASS AND ARE ANNOYED. I ALSO RUN DEDICATED SNOW TIRES. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A "GO-ANYWHERE" CAR WITH PROVEN AWD CAPABILITIES, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS IN PRIOR GENERATIONS, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE 3RD GENERATION MY2005+ CARS. SOA PLEASE DO SOME TESTING AS I CANNOT HONESTLY RECOMMEND THIS CAR AND I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER. I'M STILL DEBATING IF I'LL BE KEEPING THIS ONE. PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR REPUTATION AND LOOK SERIOUSLY INTO THIS MATTER. YOU HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC PIECE OF THE AUTO MARKET AND I HOPE YOU HAVE INTENTIONS OF KEEPING IT. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY BE A RESULT OF THE AWD SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, ALIGNMENT OR ANY COMBINATION OF THEM. WE NEED YOUR HELP IN STAGING TESTS TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE. I HAVE CONTACTED SOA DIRECTLY AND HOPE THIS WILL TAKE ACTION. *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
Tires, Jan 5, 2009
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE PERFORMANCE IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. OTHER CARS PASS WITH EASE WHILE MINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AND FLOATING OVER THE ROAD. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. WE ACTUALLY SPUN OUT ON ICE WHILE ONLY DRIVING 30MPH, CLIPPING A ROAD SIGN. WE'RE LUCKY THE DAMAGE/INJURIES WEREN'T WORSE. CAR FEELS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. IT IS TERRIFYING TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR
Suspension, Dec 26, 2008
REAR TRACKING BEGINS OSCILLATING DANGEROUSLY IN WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. GOING 30 MPH AND BEING PASSED BY EVERY CAR ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP FROM CRASHING. REAR WHEELS SEEM TO TRANSFER TRACTION TO TIRES THAT ARE SLIPPING, OSCILLATING BACK AND FORTH, CAUSING REAR END TO FISHTAIL AT ANY SPEED. REPLACED TIRES AND SAME THING. THIS IS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. BEEN DRIVING IN WISCONSIN WINTERS FOR 35 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE AND ON INTERNET POSTINGS. I AM SERIOUS - THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE SUBARU ACCOUNTABLE? *TR
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2008
'06 SUBARU OUTBACK(AUTO) SEEMS TO HAVE HANDLING ISSUES CAUSED BY AWD SYSTEM. SOME HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS "GHOSTWALKING", WHERE THE REAR END OF THE CAR SHIFTS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE AWD KICKS IN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. HAVE REPLACED TIRES AND CHECKED ALIGNMENT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2008
OUR 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS TAKEN ON AN EXTENDED TRIP IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 WHERE THE ALIGNMENT WENT SO FAR OUT OF TRUE THAT THE TIRES ALMOST BLUE (PROBLEM CORRECTED ENROUTE). A 2ND EXTENDED TRIP WAS TAKEN A FEW WEEKS AGO WHERE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT OK'D THE CAR. THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN THE CAR WAS NO MORE THAN PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND SOME FOOD BUT, DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT (AS VERIFIED BY SUBARU MECHANICS), THE TIRES CAME FRIGHTENINGLY CLOSE TO BLOWING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 23, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WAGON WITH LESS THAN 16,000 MILES. THE BRAKES GRIND AND SEEM LIKE THEY MAY NOT CATCH. IN FACT, A YEAR AGO WE SLID THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON OUR WAY TO HAVE OUR TAXES DONE WHEN THEY DID NOT HOLD. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO RUST AND THAT SUBARU DOES NOT COVER RUSTED BRAKES ON THEIR WARRANTY. WE CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER 1-800-782-2783 AND TALKED TO MATT AND HE ALSO INDICATED THEY DID NOT WARRANT RUSTED BRAKES BUT THAT HE WOULD CALL THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE, AND 36 MONTH 36000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE. THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT FAIL AT LESS THAN 16000 MILES. THIS CAR SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. ARE THEY USING SUBSTANDARD METAL IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM? SHOULD THIS CAR BE RECALLED FOR FAULTY BRAKES? IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? *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, Mar 14, 2008
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON 2.5I REAR-SWAY SIDE-STEPPING AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" ON ICY CONDITIONS. THE AWD SYSTEM ON THE CAR SEEMS TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT SIDE-TO-SIDE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
Suspension, Mar 11, 2008
WHEN DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I AT FREEWAY SPEEDS FOR 30 OR MORE MINUTES, THE REAR SHOCKS LOSE THEIR DAMPENING ABILITY DUE TO OVERHEATING, AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE'S REAR TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN UNCONTROLLED. OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST DIPS IN THE ROAD, THE REAREND WILL COMPRESS CAUSING THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION TO COMPRESS AND HIT BUMP STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST, AND IN MY OPINION, MAKE THE OUTBACK DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. SUBARU HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED IT IS PER FACTORY SPECS. *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
Suspension, Oct 13, 2007
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 17,500+MI. 14 MOS. OLD REAR STRUTS [20365AG13A] HAVE FAILED [LEAKED] VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE DEALER & MFGR. HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED PROBLEM REQUEST FOR FAULTY PARTS DENIED FOR WARRANTY REASONS. *JB
Air bags, Seats, Aug 10, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. SHE STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED, WHICH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BOTH WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN LAYING FLAT IN THE VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WAS INJURED. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Tires, Jul 20, 2007
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT:26450 DATE OF PURCHASE:05/18/2007 ODOMETER AT PURCHASE:32743 DEALER:WALSER SUBARU INC. ADDRESS:14900 BUCK HILL ROAD BURNSVILLE, 55306 DEALER LICENSE:DT36027 ON 07/02/2007 FOUND OUTER EDGE OF REAR TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN, STEEL BELTS VISIBLE. CALLED DEALER TOLD THEM NEEDED VEHICLE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY, AS WE FELT IT WAS UNSAFE. DEALERSHIP THE STATED WE NEEDED TWO NEW TIRES AND A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. PICKED UP THE VEHICLE WERE INFORMED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINE AND THAT WE HAD ?OVER LOADED? THE VEHICLE. THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE WEAR ON THE TIRES. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE AXLE HAD BEEN DEPRESSED SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE WEAR MARKS FROM THE RUBBER STOPS ON TORSION ARMS?? ASKING WHAT CONSTITUTED ?OVER LOADING? WE WERE REFERRED TO THE STICKER ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR. SEATING CAPACITYTOTAL5FRONT2REAR3 THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NOT EXCEED 408KG OR 900LBS TIRESIZECOLD TIRE PRESSURE FRONTP225/55R17220KG/32LBS REARP225/55R17210KG/30LBS SPARET155/7017420KG60LBS THE FOLLOWING WAS THE LOAD OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE TRIP TO NEW YORK: 2ADULTSAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:210LBS EACH420LBS 110-YEAR-OLD CHILDAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:100LBS100LBS 1EACH BAG PER ADULTAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:40LBS EACH80LBS 1EACH BAG PER CHILDAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:30LBS EACH30LBS 120 QT COOLERAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:10LBS10LBS 1PLASTIC CONTAINERAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:15LBS15LBS MISC TOOLS, TOYS, ETCAPPROXIMATE WEIGHT:50LBS50LBS APPROXIMATE TOTAL WEIGHT:705LBS NEVER RECEIVED A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORT. NO REPORT THREE DAYS CALLED DEALERSHIP TOLD THAT THE REPORT HAD BEEN MAILED BUT THYE WOULD CHECK AND SEND A COPY. JULY 14, 2007:- STILL NO COPY OF SERVICE REPORT BY MAIL. 7/16/2007 11:05 AM?BURNSVILLE SUBARU, STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED SERVICE REPORT. TO DATE WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COPY OF THAT SERVICE REPORT. WE ARE COPYING THIS LETTER TO SUBARU AMERICA AND NHTSA FOR THEIR COMMENTS.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. *AK
Tires, Feb 8, 2007
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2006 SUBARU WITH BRIGSTONE TIRES. WE DRIVE IN WET AND SNOWY CONDITIONS REGULARLY. ON OUR FIRST DRIVE TO CO FROM WI, WE NOTICED POOR WET WEATHER HANDLING. ON OUR NEXT TRIP TO CO FROM WI, WE EXPERIENCED HORRIBLE TRACTION ON SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED PER WARRANTY, WE HAVE HAD THE ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION CHECKED. THE TIRES APPEAR TO BE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE EMAIL THE MFR/BRIGSTONE TWICE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER. I BELIEVE THE OEM TIRES ARE NOT SAFE ON WET AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. *NM
Visibility, Dec 7, 2006
MY NEW 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WILL NOT FULLY DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY DEALER TOLD ME THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT! I FEEL IT IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Tires, Sep 27, 2006
TIRES ARE FALLING APART. AT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES SUBARU ADVISED US TO REPLACE THEM. THEY ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92A 225 55R 17. *JB