2006 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a sudden loss of accelerator response while driving, usually accompanied by the check engine light and a flashing cruise control light and traced to a pedal position sensor code. Head gasket coolant and oil leaks, brake line corrosion, and rear-end instability on slippery roads also appear repeatedly across a wide mileage spread.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Accelerator pedal stops responding (P2138)

   • 144 complaints (52%)
   • median 104,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (131 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $403 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2025

   While driving at highway or street speeds, owners report the accelerator pedal suddenly has no effect: the engine drops to idle or race, the check engine light comes on and the cruise control light flashes, and the vehicle slows to a crawl. Several describe pulling over, shutting the engine off and restarting, after which normal operation often returns, sometimes after several tries. Complaints state that dealers and independent shops read a pedal position sensor code and replaced the pedal assembly or throttle body, and that the same symptom later recurred. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 190,000 miles, at both low and highway speeds and sometimes while stationary with the engine idling.

   What to check: Ask the seller whether the pedal position sensor or throttle body has been replaced and whether a P2138 code has ever been stored. Have a pre-purchase scan check for pending throttle and pedal codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I'm driving along & suddenly all the lights go on & the accelerator pedal does nothing, the car just loses power. I have to pull over, not always in a safe spot, because it won't do anything! Turn the car off & wait 5 minutes. Then it will start back up, with the check engine light & cruise control light blinking. After about 3 restarts those lights turn off. I've had theerror code read & its p2138. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11396931, filed 2021-02, 156,000 miles

   “I experienced my gas pedal no longer working while driving, car was driving well, on a residential street going about 25 MPH, then there was suddenly no gas/acceleration, had to coast to a stop. The check engine light came on, cruise control light was flashing. About 2 hours later the car was running normal again. The diagnosis code given was p2138 throttle/pedal position sensor/switch d/e voltage correlation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11398751, filed 2021-03, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake line corrosion and fluid loss

   • 18 complaints (7%)
   • median 118,598 mi at 10.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2025

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor or requiring extra travel to slow the vehicle, with the low brake fluid warning light on. Some complaints state the brake line had rotted at a clip mount, and one notes that a prior brake line recall repair did not involve replacing the lines. Reported from very low mileage up to about 290,000 miles, mostly in states where road salt is used.

   Recall 14V311000Recall 13V110000

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected along their full length, especially at clip mounts and above the rear subframe, and confirm in writing whether the brake line recall was performed and what it involved.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon returning to my home last week I nearly went through my garage after my brake lines failed and the brake pedal went to the floor, lucky for me I was able to stop the vehicle as I knew once depressed all the way I would have some remaining braking abilities. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11318935, filed 2020-03, 127,196 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10161728, filed 2006-07, 868 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag sensor and recall status

   • 34 complaints (12%)
   • median 118,618 mi at 9.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2026

   Owners report the passenger airbag indicator showing off with a lighter adult seated, and an intermittent airbag warning light. Complaints also describe being told the passenger airbag inflator was subject to a recall and having it replaced, with some noting repeat notices for the same part. Reported from about 10,000 to 168,000 miles, including on vehicles bought used.

   Recall 15V323000Recall 20V001000Recall 20V002000Recall 20V003000

   What to check: Check the passenger airbag on/off indicator with an adult seated, and verify with a dealer that all open airbag inflator recalls for this vehicle have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2006 Subaru legacy Outback has a passenger side airbag that will not stay on when a person under 125 pounds is in the passenger seat. I weigh 115 pounds. The airbag light is in the off position about 65% of the time I am sitting in the passenger seat. It happens every time I am in the car and has since I bought it in 2005. Subaru has tested the sensor calibration many times. I have gone for a drive to demonstrate the problem to head mechanic at my dealership and he was very appalled! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10353107, filed 2010-08, 10,000 miles

   “2006 Subaru Outback head gaskets went bad at about 35,000 miles.had to replace those called Subaru and they help me get those replaced. Thought all was well soon after, the electrical system including the air conditioner and the heater .then I was told that the airbags were defaulted and to bring it into replace them which I did. The final straw is that they called me again two weeks ago to bring the rigging to replace that same airbag again. I asked them why they gave me a car that wasn't safe. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11404941, filed 2021-03, 160,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear end instability on snow and ice

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners report the rear of the vehicle shifting or oscillating side to side on ice or packed snow, even while driving straight at steady speed, and describe having to slow down or release the wheel to settle it. Some complaints note that replacing tires did not change it, and others mention premature strut replacement. Reported from about 18,000 to 80,000 miles, mainly in winter driving conditions.

   What to check: Ask about strut and alignment history, inspect rear tires for uneven wear, and plan on winter tires if the car will be driven on snow or ice.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2006 Subaru Outback with about 55,000 miles on it, I have had the rear struts replaced and know I am having the front struts replaced. It is expensive to replace struts. The mechanic that is replacing them says they shouldnt have to be replaced yet. If I dont replace them it affects the steering on the car. What makes the struts go bad prematurely? The car was new when I bought it, I dont drive it carelessly or recklessly. Has there been any other complaints?”

   NHTSA complaint #10365813, filed 2010-11, 55,000 miles

   “Thank you for considering my concern; any sudden twitch of the steering wheel, such as trying to avoid a pothole, or hitting a bump in the road will cause the car to oscillate wildly from side to side with fear of loosing control and rolling over. I am a very experienced driver but my only response is to slow down and take my hands off the wheel to let the rolling settle down. I have replaced all four struts and had the car aligned. This is going to kill someone, if it has not already. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10508101, filed 2013-04, 80,500 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase scan for stored throttle and pedal codes plus a brake line inspection cover the two issues owners describe most. Records showing completed airbag and brake line recalls are worth having, since several complaints involve vehicles sold with open campaigns.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.