2006 Subaru Outback Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2006 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. When a car just stops driving in the middle of traffic, it's very dangerous & I've been reading online that it's common in this year Subaru & it needs to be addressed!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11396931, filed 2021-02, 156,000 miles“Fall of 2011 I started to notice a film, which was all over the dashboard, this film was of sticky substance and it was mainly or more noticeable on the parts of the dashboard that were most directly affected by the sun. This film was of such stickiness that hair, dust particles, paper, or anything that would come in contact with it would get trapped as if it was fly paper. I did everything that could had been done in order to if not eliminated, to make it acceptable and not so sticky and glue like. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762725, filed 2015-09, 80,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10253921, filed 2009-01, 67,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11308055, filed 2020-02, 190,000 miles“Flashing, cruise control, and check engine light, no control and car surge and died on the interstate. From what I have read why is this not a recall. Lives can be lost due to this being a major problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10846055, filed 2016-03, 145,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 22% |
| 2024 | 29 | 28% |
| 2023 | 16 | 18% |
| 2022 | 87 | 19% |
| 2021 | 66 | 22% |
| 2020 | 153 | 17% |
| 2019 | 205 | 20% |
| 2018 | 163 | 20% |
| 2017 | 178 | 19% |
| 2016 | 124 | 19% |
| 2015 | 109 | 21% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 25 | 8% |
| 2012 | 24 | 8% |
| 2011 | 39 | 6% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 10 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2006 Subaru Outback
98 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
40 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsSuspension
37 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology