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.
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
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
Air bags, Nov 9, 2014
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF RANDOMLY AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE CAR WILL JOLT ONCE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WILL START BLINKING AND WILL NOT BE OPERABLE. THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 8, 2014
VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CONTROL ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD. LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED REAR END COLLISIONS BOTH TIMES AS I WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. IF I HAD BEEN IN MIDDLE OR LEFT LANE THERE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN SERIOUS MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISIONS ON A DENSELY CROWDED I5 WHERE PEOPLE DON'T LEAVE SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCES. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SUBARU SHOP AND FOUND ERROR CODE P2138= ACCEL. PEDAL SENSOR CIRCUIT. REPLACED ACCEL PEDAL SENSOR FOR $269. *TR
Air bags, Nov 6, 2014
WITHIN WEEK OF PURCHASE OF USED VEHICLE, SUBARU OUTBACK 2006, HAD INTERMITTENT RED AIRBAG TROUBLE LIGHT INDICATOR ON AND INCONSISTENT PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT. VEHICLE CAME WITH 6 MONTH WARRANTY FROM INDEPENDENT COMPANY. TOLD BY SMALL INDEPENDENT SHOP (TEMPLE AUTO MART, TEMPLE, PA) OF PURCHASE VEHICLE HAS CODE 26 INDICATING PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR ON/OFF LIGHT MOUNTED ON INSIDE ROOF ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS BAD AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. CALLED WARRANTY COMPANY AND TOLD THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED. WENT TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER (STEVE MOYER SUBARU, LEESPORT, PA) WHO CONFIRMED CODE 26 PROBLEM AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND CHARGED $97.52 FOR EVALUATION. DEALER ORDERED PART AND ESTIMATES $299.97 FOR PART, LABOR, AND STATE SALES TAX. TOLD BY DEALER WHEN RED AIRBAG TROUBLE LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON THE ALL AIRBAGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN NEEDED. BELIEVE THIS SAFETY ITEM COST SHOULD BE SUBARU'S RESPONSIBILITY. I AM REQUESTING A MANUFACTURE RECALL TO COVER ALL COSTS AND INCLUDE ASSURANCE THIS IS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Nov 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Nov 3, 2014
FOUND COOLANT BLACK AND POSSIBLE OVERHEATING FROM HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN RESULT RADIATOR WAS EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT AND CRACKED. COMBUSTION PRESSURE HAD ENTERED COOLING SYSTEM AND CAUSED OVER PRESSURE OF COOLING SYSTEM. RECOMMEND LEAK DOWN AND COMPRESSION CHECK OF ENGINE TO DETERMINE IF INTERNAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. CUSTOMER HAS TWO OPTIONS, REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKETS IF NO OTHER FINDINGS INTERNAL ARE FOUND OR REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE COMPLETE. TURBO MAY ALSO BE DAMAGED AND NEEDS INSPECTION ALSO. REPLACE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, LUBE BACK OF PADS AND HARDWARE PINS WITH ANTI SQUEAK PASTE. ADJUST EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM TO FACTORY SPEC. ROAD TEST FOR NOISE AND SEAT NEW PADS TO ROTORS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2014
I NOTICED A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE DASHBOARD MAKING IT DIFFICULT/ANNOYING TO SEE. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO THE DASHBOARD MELTING AND LOSING THE "GRAINY" EFFECT WHICH REDUCED THE GLARE. THE DASH IS STICKY AND VERY REFLECTIVE IN THE WINDSHIELD. *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
Suspension, Oct 9, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A TOXIC ODOR EMITTED FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE BOOT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
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
Engine, Aug 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
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
Engine, Jul 18, 2014
IN THE SUMMER OF 2011 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 75MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN TEMP GAUGE MADE A BIG JUMP INTO THE RED ZONE AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD UPSETTING SOUNDS. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RIGHT AT THE EXIT LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR DIED. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (APPROX $8000 REPLACEMENT). FAST FORWARD TO JUNE 2014. THE NEW ENGINE DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. TEMPERATURE SHOT UP ON THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE DIED, HEAD GASKETS ONCE AGAIN HAVE BLOWN. THIS NEW ENGINE WAS FOUR YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. CAR HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING MY SITUATION REVIEWED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA. I AM HOPING THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. *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
Engine, Jun 11, 2014
OUR 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK NEEDS THE HEAD GASKETS AND REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, May 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Engine, May 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.