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.
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?
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2020
THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, RANDOMLY, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, BOTH ON HIGHWAY AND ON AUXILIARY ROADS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ON 01/20/2020, WHILE DRIVING ~65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY, THE CAR LOST POWER--ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL, NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE. THE CAR "LOCKED UP," AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE, SINCE NO GAS WAS AVAILABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WITH THE FLASHING CRUISE LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, AND I RE-STARTED AND DROVE AWAY. WHEN THIS SAME TYPE OF EVENT OCCURRED ANOTHER TIME, ON 02/01/2020, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON AN AUXILIARY ROAD, ~30 MPH, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR AGAIN LOCKED UP, NO GAS WAS AVAILABLE--THE CAR WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIFT VERY SLOWLY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A STOP LIGHT, WHICH, LUCKILY, WAS A RED SIGNAL. AT THE STOP, I SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. WHILE IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE REVVED TO ~2500 RPM, EVEN THOUGH NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM DIDN'T CLEAR RIGHT AWAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT DID. IN THE SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES WHEN THIS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION OF LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION AND REVVING IN NEUTRAL HAS OCCURRED, WHEN THE CAR RESETS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO RESETS, SO THE CODE CANNOT BE READ IN TIME. FOLLOWING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, I WAS ABLE TO READ THE ERROR CODE: P2138 THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "D"/"E" VOLTAGE CORRELATION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER REPORTS TO NHTSA AND ON SUBARU ONLINE FORUMS OF THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN CORRECTED ON SUBSEQUENT YEAR MODELS, BUT NOT ON THE 2005 AND 2006, AND DEALERS DON'T FIX. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS, DANGEROUS, LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2020
P2138 CHECK ENGINE CODE. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH IN 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AND AT A SLOW CRAWL. I WAS ABLE TO GET A LARGE ENOUGH WINDOW TO CRAWL ACROSS THE OTHER 2 LANES AND CRAWL INTO A PARKING LOT. I ENDED UP GETTING TOWED FROM THERE. WHEN CHECKING FOR REPAIRS I HAD A SMALLER 'SUBARU ONLY' REPAIR SHOP TELL ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THEY SAID THEY REPAIR 1 TO 2 OF THESE EACH MONTH. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER SAYS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE ERROR CODE OR MY SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THEY DON'T EVEN STOCK THE PART I NEED. THE INTERNET HAS MANY REPORTS OF MY SPECIFIC SCENARIO. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE BUT NO BY SEEMS TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2020
WHILE MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE EXPANDED TAKATA RECALL, THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY FOUND A LEAK IN MY GAS TANK. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND CAN'T IMAGINE WHY THIS IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WERE THEN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THEN RECONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2020
VEHICLE DEVELOPED ISSUE ERROR CODE P2138, THROTTLE SENSOR ON GAS PEDAL DESYNCHRONIZES CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO EMERGENCY SAFETY MODE WHERE POWER IS LOST, GOES INTO A HIGH IDLE, AND VEHICLE MUST BE PARKED AND RESTARTED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE POWERTRAIN REACTIVATES. CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF POTENTIOMETER ON THROTTLE PEDAL THAT WEARS A BARE SPOT. REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLE (GAS PEDAL) REQUIRED TO RESOLVE ISSUE, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY START OCCURRING AGAIN DUE TO POOR DESIGN. HAS OCCURRED WHEN PEDAL ISN'T BEING USED (CRUISE CONTROL ONLY), AS WELL AS DURING NORMAL DRIVING AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS.
Power train, 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
Service brakes, Nov 18, 2019
MY SON LOST HIS BRAKES AND NEARLY WRECKED THE OTHER DAY. BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND THE DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL ON THEM BECAUSE THEY GOT SOME HALF-ASS RECALL TREATMENT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. SUBARU DID NOT DO A PROPER FIX TO THESE LINES AND THEY KNOW IT! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSE TO DO WITH A CAR WITH NO BRAKES!!?
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERTERA SUBARU (499 RIVERDALE ST, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089, (413) 734-4964) AND A SMOKE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER. AT THAT TIMES, A SMOKE TEST WAS COMPLETED AND THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A SMALL ALLOWANCE TOWARDS THE REPAIR OR TOWARDS A NEW OR USED VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 7, 2019
I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FOR FIXING PASSENGER SEAR AIR BAG. BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE. IT STILL SAY 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS. HOW CAN ANYONE TRUST THIS WEBSITE?
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.
Air bags, Feb 22, 2019
2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK LL BEAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES BEING SENT TO THEM THOUGH THEY NO LONGER OWN VEHICLE. *AS *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2019
ERROR CODE P2138, LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW SUBARU IS NOT FIXING OR CALLING OUT THE DEFECT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. ISSUES WITH CONNECTIONS OF THE PLUG, WATER/DIRT CAUSING CORROSION TO NOT ALLOW IT TO WORK, AND DEALERS NOT FIXING THE REAL ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN AS LIGHT WAS RED BUT THEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN. I PUSHED GAS AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 30 SECONDS LATER PRETTY MUCH ALL OF MY INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CRUISE LIGHT WAS EVEN BLINKING. VIDEOS I'VE BEEN WATCHING TALK ABOUT FLY BY WIRE PEDALS AND HOW IT PUTS CARS INTO LIMP MODE. WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS DOING WHEN I FIRST TRY TO ACCELERATE. I CLEARED A LOT OF CODES BY DOING THE CRUISE BUTTON RESET WHICH FOR NOW TURNED MOST LIGHTS OFF BUT STILL HAVE LIMP MODE ISSUES WHEN FIRST TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2019
REPEATED PEDAL SLIP CODES 'P2138' HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A DAY NOW AND HAPPENS FROM STOP TO START POSITIONS AT RANDOM TIMES.
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.
Service brakes, Dec 18, 2018
BOUGHT CAR FROM PRIVATE OWNER IN OCTOBER 2018. IMMEDIATELY AFTER SALE HAD THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP REPLACE REAR BRAKES IN OCTOBER 2018 AND COMPLETELY INSPECT CAR FOR ANY NEEDED REPAIRS. IN EARLY DECEMBER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE ENTIRE FAMILY WAS ON BOARD. FOUND OUT FROM DEALERSHIP THAT, DESPITE FINDING CORROSION ON BRAKE LINE UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE CORROSION WAS ENCAPSULATED BY BARRIER SPRAY AND CONTINUED TO CORRODE BRAKE LINE UNTIL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AWAITING DEALERSHIP RESPONSE.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 3, 2018
CAR WILL SUDDENLY GO LIMP. WITH NO WARNING OR ANYTHING THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING BUT THERE IS NO THROTTLE OR THROTTLE PEDAL RESPONSE. YOU CAN FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN THIS LAST HAPPENED. I CAME TO A TURN WHERE YOU EITHER HAVE TO STOP OR MERGE TO THE RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. AS I WENT TO ACCERERATE THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE CAR. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT IS NOW FLASHING. I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. I FINALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR 3-5 MINUTES BEFORE THE THROTTLE WOULD RESPOND. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE A BUSY FREEWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS!!
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.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2018
WHILE IN MOTION, RAPIDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR FLASHES AND CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOST. THE CAR ESSENTIALLY BECOMES LIMP AND IS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THIS TIME. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR 30 SECONDS AND THEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON RE-PROVIDES CONTROL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF. MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU SHOP TRACED THE ISSUE TO A FAULTY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR IS OPERATING NOMINALLY. TWO TWO INSTANCES WHERE THIS CAUSED A SERIOUS CONCERN WAS WHEN I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON IT'S BRAKES AND CHOSE TO TURN RIGHT INSTEAD OF THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL STRAIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE SECOND TIME WAS TO AVOID AN ANIMAL RUNNING ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ROUGHLY 25MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2018
THE CRUISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS FLASH. CAR LOOSES POWER AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER ENGINE START. RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THE SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD LOCATED IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FAIL OVER TIME (THE SAME BOARD THAT CONTAINS THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS). APPARENTLY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON - MEANING THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS MAY WORK IF THE CIRCUIT BOARD BECOMES DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT BOARD, IF FOUND, IS OVER $300. I REPAIRED MINE BY RE-SOLDERING THE VARIOUS BAD CONTACT POINTS ON THE BOARD.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GROOVE SUBARU, 5300 S BROADWAY CIR, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2018
WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL POWER, GOT OFF ROAD ,ENGINE STILL RUN BUT WOULD NOT MOVE, FINALLY,RESTARTED AND GOT HOME, CHECKED CODES,P2138 CAME UP.THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN,HAVE READ REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. WHAT HAS SUBARU DONE TO CORRECT BIG SAFETY PROBLEM!!! HAS THIS BECOME A RECALL.NOW SCARED TO DRIVE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2018
TODAY I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ACCELERATED, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER OUT. I TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT MY CAR HAD NO POWER. IT BEGAN TO SPUTTER THEN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS STRANDED AT 9AM ON BROADWAY WITH MY 1.5 YEAR OLD AND 2 WEEK OLD. I TRIED TO START MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES FOR 8 MINUTES UNTIL ONE ATTEMPT IT TURNED OVER, THIS TIME WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHING. IT LIMPED AROUND FOR A WHILE AS I TOOK IT TO A SHOP I WAS TOLD THE CODE READ 'THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR'. WHICH I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING ABOUT LET ALONE FIND IT IN A STORE OR ONLINE. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS AND I HAVE LOST UTTER FAITH IN MY SUBARU.
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.