2006 Subaru Outback
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 276 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 105 |
| 2010 | 359 |
| 2011 | 649 |
| 2012 | 290 |
| 2013 | 295 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 505 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 917 |
| 2018 | 803 |
| 2019 | 1029 |
| 2020 | 890 |
| 2021 | 291 |
| 2022 | 453 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 89 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
34% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 94 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSE BY VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION .
NHTSA ODI report, 20130515
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130211
16% of complaints: engine — 43 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200209
14% of complaints: electrical system — 40 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
ON STREET, FROM PARK WITH ENGINE IDLING, CAR IN DRIVE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEAD AT FIRST, THEN HIGH RPM 3000+ WITH PEDAL RELEASED. NO CONTROL OF ENGINE RPM. CEL AND CC ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171110
13% of complaints: air bags — 37 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'VE READ ONLINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I COULD OF BEEN KILLED IF I WAS DRIVING ANY FASTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130820
11% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 29 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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, Illino
Remedy: 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 obse
Campaign 13V110000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V323000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (94 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (43 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V110000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V323000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2006 Subaru Outback reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Outback have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.