2006 Subaru OUTBACK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
276 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
95,333 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 223 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 94 of 276 complaints (34.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 94 |
| Engine | 43 |
| Electrical System | 40 |
| Air Bags | 37 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 29 |
| Suspension | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
| Power Train | 13 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 94; Engine: 43; Electrical System: 40; Air Bags: 37; Fuel/Propulsion System: 29; Suspension: 21; Service Brakes: 16; Power Train: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 48 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 65 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 48; 100,000 to 149,999: 65; 150,000 and above: 37
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (65). 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2005: 1; 2006: 7; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 13; 2010: 16; 2011: 12; 2012: 13; 2013: 20; 2014: 39; 2015: 27; 2016: 39; 2017: 24; 2018: 13; 2019: 8; 2020: 14; 2021: 7; 2022: 6; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10161728 · 2006-07-06 (July 6, 2006)
AS I PULLED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. CAR STOPPED ONLY AFTER JUMPING CURB AND PLOWING INTO BRICK WALL OF MY BUILDING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 868 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221459 · 2008-03-17 (March 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 VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255376 · 2009-01-16 (January 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298335 · 2010-01-05 (January 5, 2010)
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I BASE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE HAS A NOTICEABLE ERRATIC STABILITY HANDLING PROBLEM ON THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAS A LITTLE EXTRA WEIGHT (LIKE A COUPLE MEDIUM DOGS, OR A FEW NORMAL WEIGHT PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT) WHEN DRIVING ON ICE CONDITIONS, THE CAR REAR OF THE CAR WILL SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT AS IF SOMEONE IS PUSHING THE BACK SIDES OF THE CAR LEFT TO RIGHT. THIS IS UNCONTROLLABLE SIDE TO SIDE MOTION IS VERY SCARY. ALL MY OTHER SUBARUS 83 GL, 85BRAT, 92 SS, 92SVX, 94 TW, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE ON THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 88,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407509 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOST…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,731 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577797 · 2014-04-06 (April 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 CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308842 · 2010-02-11 (February 11, 2010)
I WAS USING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS WITH MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONVERTER UNIT THAT PLUGGED INTO THE CAR WIRING AND CONVERTED IT TO THE 4 FLAT CONFIGURATION FOR MY TRAILER FAILED BY SHORTING OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE. HAD I NOT REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON QUICKLY THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. THE TRAILER WIRING HARNESS IS MANUFACTURED BY DRAW-TITE AND HAS A MODEL NUMBER OF 17499-101. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DRAW-TITE DIRECTLY BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AT THE TIM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10308842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378988 · 2011-01-22 (January 22, 2011)
AFTER SLOWING TO A NEAR STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP, MY CAR SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, DIED AND I LOST ALL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ENGINE AND POWER STEERING. ALL I WAS ABLE TO DO WAS DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUBARU INITIALLY BELIEVED THAT THE ECM HAD FAILED. AFTER REPLACING THE ECM, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. SUBARU ULTIMATELY DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HOUSING HAD MELTED AGAINST THE COOLANT CROSSOVER PIPE, EXPOSING WIRING WHICH WAS THEN SHORTING OUT. SUBARU COULD GIVE ME NO EXP…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10346116 · 2010-07-29 (July 29, 2010)
THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STEERING TIE ROD PRECIPITOUSLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING SEPARATED INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES WHEN THE INNER PART OF THE TIE ROD PULLED OUT OF THE THREADED SLEEVE ON THE OUTER PART OF THE TIE ROD WHEN I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING CONTROL ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. EXAMINATION SHOWS THE THREADS ON THE INNER PART OF TIE ROD WERE DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY WHEN MANUFACTURED ALLOWING SEPARATION AND LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK , 4 YEARS OLD, 44,000 MILES. TIRE WEAR WAS NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,438 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551825 · 2013-11-11 (November 11, 2013)
INCIDENT INITIALLY STARTED IN FEBRUARY, WENT TO ACCELERATE AFTER STARTING CAR IN THE AM, DID NOT RESPOND, CEL AND FLASHING CRUISE BUTTON CAME ON, ENGINE SEEMED TO IDLE AND WOULDN'T RESPOND TO TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. TURNED ENGINE OFF, TRIED TO TURN BACK ON, WOULD NOT START. REPEATED PROCESS WITH STARTING 2-3 TIMES UNTIL STARTED AGAIN. CEL AND FLASHING CRUISE REMAINED ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS, TOOK TO REPAIR GARAGE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG ON THE DIAGNOSTIC RUN. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST SEVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10990737 · 2017-05-20 (May 20, 2017)
AS I WAS CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. I WENT TO PICK UP A NEW CONTAINER OF BRAKE FLUID. L.P. I NOTICED MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE WHEN I PUSHED IT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT TO A SHOP THAT SHOWED ME WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. UNDER THE GAS TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. 189,574 miles reported. Look up ODI 10990737 at NHTSA ↗