2006 Subaru Outback complaints

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED. HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER THRU TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE IDLE WAS AT 2,000 RPMS AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL NOT RESPONDING. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THE ACCELERATOR WAS WORKING BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. READ OBD CODE P2138, RESET CODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY SUBARU. *TR

I SEE THE SAME COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES ON THIS SITE. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE FOR US EITHER, IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 17,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED BY BOTH SUBARU AND PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WONDERS / GHOST WALKS / SWERVES UNEXPECTEDLY ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS, YOU DROP REAL FAST FROM 65 TO 40 - 45 MPH OR YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL OFF THE ROAD, INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ARE THE WORST. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS DONE - 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERHAPS HELPS ONLY SLIGHTLY. WE HAVE HAD NEW TIRES ETC. WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, ITS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, PROBABLY HAS. WHERE OTHERWISE IN GOOD SHAPE IT IS A CAR THAT WE CANNOT EVEN TRANSFER TO OUR CHILDREN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN I BRAKE FOR SLOWING TRAFFIC, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WENT INTO IDLE MODE. I WAS LOSING SPEED AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, ALTHOUGH THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND BOTH WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER LIT. MY CODE READER FOUND AN ERROR CODE OF P2138, (UNRECOGNIZED CODE), THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL 12/18/2012. THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM RECURRED AND I AGAIN READ THE ERROR CODE AS P2138. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. ALTHOUGH BOTH TIMES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, I WAS ON A ROAD WITH VERY FEW CARS AND HAD NO DIFFICULTY GETTING SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN MORE DANGEROUS IF I WAS AT FREEWAY SPEED WITH TRAFFIC AROUND ME. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER. ELECTRIC WAS STILL ON. GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK. CEL AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BOTH BLINKING. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN 15 MPH ON FLAT ROAD, AND BARLEY ANY SPEED ON INCLINE. GOT OFF HIGHWAY NEAR HOME AND SHUT OF ENGINE. WAITED AND TRIED TO START BACK UP. 30 SECONDS OF CRANKING, AND NOTHING. WAITED ANOTHER MINUTE AND IT STARTED. GOT HOME AND PULLED A P2138 CODE. PULLED WIRING HARNESS OFF GAS PEDAL AND RESEATED IT. RESET THE CEL AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AT 65MPH DURING THANKSGIVING EVE RUSH-HOUR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I PULLED OVER AND THE IDLE WAS AT 2,000 RPMS AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL NOT RESPONDING. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THE ACCELERATOR WAS WORKING BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CRUISE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE GAS PEDAL WAS NON FUNCTIONING. SHE WAS ABLE TO COST TO A SAFE PLACE. WHEN I ARRIVED THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TOOK HER TO WORK. AN HOUR LATER I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND TRIED TO START IT. IT TOOK SEVERAL SECONDS TO START, BUT DID. THE GAS PEDAL WORKED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON STEADY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS FLASHING. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME. TODAY 10/20/12 THE CAR HAS NO SYMPTOMS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SCARY AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE BUSIEST STREET IN MONTANA DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO. 1 PISTON DEFECTIVE ENGINE REPLACED COVERED BY WARRANTY. 2ND ENGINE & TURBO FAILURE AT 94,591 MILES NOV 10 2010 NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY WE PAID $5005.00 IN REPAIR BILLS THERE WAS COOLANT, OIL, & OTHER FLUID LOSS & A LOT OF SMOKE. THE 3RD ENGINE & TURBO FAILURE AUGUST 2012 DIAGNOSIS BY INTERNATIONAL AUTO/SUBARU SHOWED NO.1 PISTON CAME LOOSE ALSO THERE WAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN ALL 3 INCIDENTS WE WERE TOLD $9000.00 TO START WE SAID NO HAD IT TOWED TO OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SITS NOW IT HAS 136,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO THERE WAS AN OIL PUMP FAILURE 121,115 MILES $495.00 11/22/2011. ALSO $853.87 TO REPAIR A SERIOUS OIL LEAK AT 96,650 MILES 11/26/2010,FRONT & REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED SPLIT 96,647 MILES $482.33 ,RIGHT & LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILURE REPLACED 118,072 MILES 10/12/2011 $897.49. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,052 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,078.

I TOOK MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND TIRE ROTATION. WAS TOLD THAT MY LEFT OUTER CV BOOT WAS TORN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE TO REPAIR, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD APPROX. 55,000 MILES, AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD JUST LAPSED, I CONTACTED SUBARU AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR HALF OF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS IF THEY WERE MADE AT A SUBARU AUTHORIZED MECHANIC, I.E. DEALERSHIP. THE COST MY MECHANIC OF CHOICE QUOTED WAS LESS THAN HALF OF THE DEALERSHIP FEE, SO I DECLINED THE OFFER FROM SUBARU. JULY 2012, 60,000 MILES, TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICING AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE RIGHT INNER CV BOOT IS TORN AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT IS LEAKING. I CANNOT AFFORD THESE REPAIRS AND HAVE DONE RESEARCH TO FIND OUT THAT CV BOOT TEARS ARE QUITE COMMON IN SUBARU'S. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR OR DO A RECALL EVEN THOUGH SINCE MY EXPERIENCES, I HAVE TALKED TO MANY SUBARU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD CV BOOT ISSUES. AS IT STANDS NOW, I DO NOT FEEL THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, SO IT SITS IN THE GARAGE WHILE MY FRIENDS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION. I PAID MORE THAN $20,000 TO BUY A CAR THAT SITS IN THE GARAGE. *TR

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

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 287 FROM CASPER BACK TO LARAMIE, WY AT AROUND 40 MPH, WHICH IS LOWER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, THE CAR STARTED FISHTAILING BY ITSELF SUDDENLY AND SPAN 360 TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THERE'S BLACK ICE ON THE ROAD BUT OVERALL CONDITION WAS GOOD. THE REASON WHY I DROVE MUCH SLOWER THAN OTHER CARS (FWD CARS) WAS THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE WITH THE SUBARU, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS 'FLOATING' ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END TENDS TO SLIDE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT ALL BY ITSELF, WITHOUT ANY HARD BRAKING, FAST STEERING, OR SUDDEN PUSHING ON THE THROTTLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED LAST YEAR WITH ABOUT 84K MILES ON IT, IT CAME WITH A SET OF SNOW TIRES, I HAD THIS PROBLEM ONCE WHILE THE CAR SKIDDED AND SPAN 360 ON THE INTERSTATE AT 45 MPH ( I WAS MUCH SLOWER THAN MOST OF THE CARS ON THE HIGHWAY), I CHANGED THE TIRED AND HAD IT RE-ALIGNED AFTER THE WINTER, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WINTER, ALL PARTS ON THE SUSPENSION ARE FROM STOCK, NO AFTERMARKET PARTS WERE EVER ADDED TO THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE TIRES, SO I THINK THERE MAY BE SOME ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION DESIGN OF MY CAR THAT'S BEEN THERE FROM THE FACTORY. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THE TERM 'GHOSTWALKING', IT APPEARS TO BE PRETTY COMMON ON OUTBACK FROM 05 TO 09, I WONDER IF SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE AND HOW CAN I GET THIS FIXED. *TR

SUBARU HAS RECALL ON WHEEL BEARINGS AND STATE MY OUTBACK DOES NOT FIT INTO RECALL. HOWEVER IT IS THE SAME PART THAT HAS FAILED, YET THEY STATE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. HEADGASKET IS LEAKING AT 125,000, SUBARU STATES REPLACEMENT GASKETS ARE BETTER HOWEVER I AM EXPECTED TO PAY 2000 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

ENGINE LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. RETRIEVED ERROR CODE P2138 (ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR) FROM (DLC) DATA LINK CONNECTOR IN CAR. *TR

STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING ON FLAT CONCRETE HIGHWAY, REAR END OF VEHICLE MAY START TO WANDER WHEN ROAD IS SLIPPERY. THIS OCCURS GENERALLY OVER 25MPH, WHEN ALL OTHER VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO TRAVEL AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THAN THE 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.0R IS ABLE TO. CARS WILL PASS WHILE I AM WHITE KNUCKLED, CONCERNED THE REAR END IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSE COMPLETE CONTROL FAILURE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER SUBARU DRIVERS, AND THIS IS BEING REFERRED TO AS "GHOST WALKING" - THIS IS A VERY GOOD DESCRIPTION AS THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. ESSENTIALLY, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FEELS LIKE IT IS SENDING TOO MUCH POWER TO THE REAR END, UNDER EVEN/CONSTANT SPEED, AND CAUSING THE REAR TO BREAK LOOSE. OR, THERE IS A ALIGNMENT GEOMETRY PROBLEM. VERY UNSETTLING AND VERY UNEXPECTED FOR A HIGHLY REGARDED ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS AND NONE HAVE DONE THIS IN THE SAME CONDITIONS. VERY HARD TO RECREATE FOR DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURE, AS IT REQUIRES PRECISE ROAD CONDITIONS. JUST SO HAPPENS IT IS PRECISELY THE ROAD CONDITIONS THAT MOST PEOPLE MIGHT BUY A SUBARU (IN MN OR CO). VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

FIRST OCCURRENCE 12/5/11. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I LOST THE ABILITY ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A PARKING SPACE, SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WAS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. AFTER AND HOUR I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND ALL SEEMED FINE. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND PROBLEM P2138, ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALL SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. SECOND OCCURRENCE 1/21/12. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SIDE ROAD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I ONCE AGAIN LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SHUT THE CAR OFF, SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I GOT MY CAR HOME AND HOOKED UP THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO IT AND GOT THE SAME P2138 CODE. I READJUSTED THE WIRES CONNECTING THE ACCELERATOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. OBVIOUSLY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM (FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS) IN 2005 AND 2006 OUTBACKS AND SUBARU HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING CERTAIN VINS UNDER 100K, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT IN THAT LIST. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 55 MPH IN MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WENT INTO IDLE MODE. I WAS LOSING SPEED AND DECIDED TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND WAITED A MINUTE OR TWO AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, ALTHOUGH THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND BOTH WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER LIT. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. THIS INDENTICAL PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN ONE WEEK AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. I DROVE MY 2006 OUTBACK TO MY INDEPENDENT SUBARU MECHANIC WHO READ THE ERROR CODE AS P2138. HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF HIS CLIENT'S CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY AND RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE MY CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. A FEW DAYS LATER I HAD MY OUTBACK SERVICED AT MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (INTEGRAL TO THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY) AND CONFIRMED THE P2138 ERROR CODE. THE PEDAL SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND (TWO DAYS LATER) THE CAR APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AGAIN. THE REPAIR BILL WAS ABOUT $320 FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. ALTHOUGH BOTH TIMES THE ACC

WHILE DRIVING ON A LIMIT ACCESS HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE. THIS EVENT NEARLY RESULTED IN A HIGH SPEED REAR END COLLISION. *KB

INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A RED LIGHT IN TRAFFIC AT RUSH HOUR. AFTER PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT TO A FULL STOP, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AT EXACTLY 2500RPM. THE CAR ACCELERATED FROM A DEAD STOP AND CONTINUED TO DO SO WITH NO INPUT FROM ME. THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING AT ALL. I HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AND MOVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS SOLID AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

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 DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,731. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 3/20/12 *CN

I OWN A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS AN EARLY WARNING INDICATOR FOR BLACK ICE ON THE ROAD SURFACE. THE OUTBACK VEHICLE HAS A STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEM IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED (CONSTANT AND LOW THROTTLE POSITION) ON A FLAT ROAD, THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE TENDS TO OSCILLATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN ICY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO SPIN OUT, ALTHOUGH THAT HASN'T HAPPENED TO ME YET. OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME SEEM TO HAVE ADEQUATE TRACTION (2WD, AWD, 4WD). THE PROBLEM IS NOT TRACTION WHILE: 1) CORNERING UNDER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, 2) HARD ACCELERATION ON ICE, OR 3) BRAKING ON ICE. ROAD CONDITIONS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE OSCILLATION ON ARE VERY THIN ICE (BLACK ICE). I SUSPECT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION DESIGN ON MY OUTBACK. THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT AND PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS OCCUPANTS IN THE REAR SEATS. THE STABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE MARGINAL AND IT ONLY TAKES CERTAIN CONDITIONS (ROAD AND VEHICLE PARAMETERS) TO BE ON THE EDGE OF DISASTER. SUBARU RELEASED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 05-36-07 WHICH ELIMINATED THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE ORIGINAL TOE TOLERANCE FOR REAR TIRE ALIGNMENT. I THINK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LARGE REAR TIRE TOE IN WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED. I SUSPECT THIS LARGE REAR TIRE TOE IN WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED CONTRIBUTES TO THE STABILITY PROBLEM IN ICY CONDITIONS I HAVE BRAND NEW (JAN 2010) HANKOOK IPIKE W409 STUDLESS WINTER

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 EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED AGAINST A HOT COMPONENT OF MY ENGINE SUCH THAT IT WOULD MELT. HAD THIS HAPPENED 1 MINUTE EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON INTERSTATE 95 DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH A DEAD CAR. GIVEN THE SUDDENNESS WITH WHICH MY CAR DIED, IT IS LIKELY I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DISPUTE INVOLVING THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TURBO IN VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO REPAIR THE TURBO WAS $ 6,508. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MACHINED SURFACES AND BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE TURBO WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

UNTRUE TRACKING ON ROAD WITH ICE PATCHES. REAR OF CAR MOVES AROUND A LOT. COULD NOT SAFELY GO OVER 40 MPH, GETTING PASSED BY OTHER GOING 60 MPH ON TWO-LANE 65 MPH RATED ROAD. *TR

WHEN DRIVING ON POOR TRACTION ROADS (ICE OR COMPACTED SNOW), THE REAR OF THE CAR IS VERY UNSTABLE AND SHIFTS LEFT TO RIGHT BY AS MUCH AS 2-3 FEET - WHILE GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STRAIGHT ROAD - MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED (NO ACCELERATION OR BRAKING). THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, OVER A 3400 MILE ROAD TRIP THIS WINTER - SOMETIMES LASTING FOR HOURS, MAKING FOR VERY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE DRIVING, ALMOST GOING OUT OF CONTROL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS - EVEN AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS (20-30 MPH)! THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE IN THE CAR, BUT A LOT OF LUGGAGE - PROBABLY EXCEEDING 400 LBS OF WEIGHT IN THE REAR, BUT NOTHING EXCESSIVE, AND WELL WITHIN THE SPECIFIED LIMITS FOR THIS CAR. I HAD MY ALIGNMENT ADJUSTED 3 MONTHS AGO TO FACTORY SPECS. IT HOWEVER APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CAR HAS ANY WEIGHT IN THE REAR, THE TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY TO CAUSE "REAR STEERING" WHICH LEADS TO THE UNSTABLE BEHAVIOR ON SLIPPERY ROADS, AND UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES (THAT I HAVE ALSO NOTICED). THERE APPEARS TO BE NO WAY TO KEEP THE ALIGNMENT STABLE - DIFFERENT LOADS SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE GEOMETRY IN THIS WAY. I REALLY HOPE SUBARU CAN HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND THIS CAR IS ADVERTISED AS AN AWD SNOW VEHICLE! I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT MORE THAN ABOUT 40' IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 108 BETWEEN SONORA AND JAMESTOWN, CALIFORNIA. THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE HIM UNTIL I WAS LESS THAN 40' AWAY. THERE WAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN, LUCKILY HE WAS OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS JUST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I FELT MY HEADLIGHTS FAIL. ANY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE LIMITED VISIBILITY TO THE FRONT OF ME, WHICH MEANS I CANNOT SEE POTHOLES OR ANIMALS IN THE ROAD. ALL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN OR RIDDEN IN MY CAR AT NIGHT ARE SHOCKED BY THE LACK OF VISIBILITY WITH THE LOW-BEAMS. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I DRIVE WITH MY HIGH-BEAMS ON AT NIGHT, BUT OFTEN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE BY ANY MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALLEVIATED BY INSTALLING BRIGHTER BULBS, AND THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY COMPLAINTS. PLEASE SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2005, 2006 SUBARU MODELS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND SUBARU SHOULD BE FORCED TO MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENT LOW BEAM HOUSINGS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF MOMENTARILY AND THE FAILURE WOULD RESET ITSELF UNTIL RECURRING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN WHICH A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR HAD FAILED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH ALSO INDICATED A FAILURE WITHIN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FURTHER. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

2006 SUBARU IS UNSAFE ON SLIPPERY ROADS. THE CAR HAS A TENDENCY TO "STEER" FROM THE REAR. IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL THAT CAUSES MORE POWER TO THE REAR AND THUS MAKES THE REAR WANT TO FISHTAIL OUT WHILE DRIVING SLOW IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN ON ICE. EVEN WITH SNOW TIRES. AND I HAD A RWD COUGAR WITH BAD TIRES WHEN I WAS YOUNG. *TR

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK AUTO TRANS. ON MANY OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S REAR-END SIDE-STEPS, FISHTAILS OR OSCILLATES ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD SYSTEM IN THE REAR IS OVER COMPENSATING, LEADING TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE 40-60MPH RANGE. YOU MUST SLOW DOWN TO UNSAFE SPEEDS, EVEN FOR THE WEATHER, TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. OTHER NON-AWD VEHICLES DRIVING ON THE SAME ROADS ARE NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN SAFE CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT IS FRIGHTENING WHEN OTHER 2WD CARS AND TRUCKS ARE PASSING YOU GOING 20MPH FASTER AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO KEEP YOUR CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ON STRAIGHT FLAT ROADS WITHOUT BRAKING, ACCELERATING OR TURNING WITH FAIRLY NEW ALL SEASON TIRES - NO MORE THAN 15,000 MILES ON THEM (REGULARLY ROTATED).

VEHICLE BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE ON ICY ROADS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS. EXCESSIVE REAR TIRE WEAR SUGGESTS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE. PROBLEM PERSISTED EVEN AFTER A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES LAST WINTER. REAR TIRES COMPLETELY WORN OUT IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR.

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?

THE CAR IN SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS DOES NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE AND THE REAR WALKS OUT AND BEGINS SWAYING UNCONTROLLABLY. IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CARS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PASSING ME AND NOT SWAYING. *TR

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! NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN DONE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS SUBARU SAYS THIS WOULD REQUIRE RE-ENGINEERING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. SUBARU HAS TOLD US THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND IS CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME IN 2005. I HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE ROAD WITH SUBARU AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT CAN OFFER NO SOLUTION TO FIX IT. MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN MANY OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS OPEN ON THIS SAME ISSUE RELATING TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF SUBARU CARS AND THEIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND REQUIRE SUBARU TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I EXPERIENCE A SIDE-TO-SIDE SHAKE ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO THE CAR AND IS NOT SIMPLY ROAD CONDITIONS. FWD, RWD, AND OTHER AWD VEHICLES ARE NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE AND I+M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO STAY ON THE ROAD AND AM DRIVING AS MUCH AS 20 - 30 MPH SLOWER THAN THE NEXT SLOWER CAR ON THE ROAD. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLE DYNAMICS ON ICE. *TR

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 NORMAL AND NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT PRIOR TO PROBLEM. *TR

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK SW. COMING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. SINCE MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I DID BUY IT BRAND NEW, I COULDN'T IMAGINE IT WAS THE MUFFLER AS THAT IS WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BOLT CONNECTING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO THE AXLE MISSING, APPEARING AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN SEVERED OFF. IT IS PARKED IN A LOCKED GARAGE EVERYDAY AND NOW THE AXLE IS DROOPING BELOW THE HOLE WHERE THE BOLT SHOULD BE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER TO REPAIR THIS. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AS I KNOW IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD THE TIRE COME OFF. *TR

ON MANY OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S REAR-END SIDE-STEPS OR OSCILLATES ON ICY/SNOW-PACKED ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD SYSTEM IN THE REAR IS OVER COMPENSATING, LEADING TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE 30-40MPH RANGE. ALTHOUGH, I PREFER NOT TO DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ALLOW, IT CAN BE VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN OTHER 2WD CARS AND TRUCKS ARE PASSING YOU GOING 20MPH FASTER AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR

MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK BEGINS TO GHOSTWALK AT ABOUT 50MPH AND IS UNSAFE, SMALLER CARS AND VEHICLES CAN PASS ME WITH BETTER CONTROL WHILE MINE FISHTAILS AT THE BACK UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED AT LESS THAN TRAFFIC SPEED. *TR

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 TIME, AND THIS INCIDENT CAUSED US BOTH TO BE SCARED, AS ANY VEHICLE FIRE WOULD. *TR

1. SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY PASSENGER OR CARGO LOAD 2. REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL IN ANY KIND OF SLICK ROAD CONDITION. EVEN HAPPENED ON WET PAVEMENT WITH LOADED CAR. RESULTS ARE HAVING TO SLOW TO UNSAFE LOW SPEEDS TO MAINTAIN ANY TRACTION. 3. NO PARTS OR WORK DONE YET. *TR

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 SAME TYPES OF ROADS. THE OLDER SCOOBS WERE ROCK SOLID, STABLE AS A SNOWMOBILE ON ALL CONDITIONS, AND THEY NEVER HAD DEDICATED SNOWS, AND COULD BE LOADED TO THE HILT, OR NOT LOADED AT ALL, BUT THE 06 OUTBACK CANNOT MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 40 SAFELY WHILE TRUCKERS, YUGOS, NEONS, AND THOSE WITH WORN SUMMER TIRES PASS GOING 55 NOT HAVING TROUBLE. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT LIKE THE WHOLE BACK END, BOTH REAR TIRES, ARE ON MARBLES WITH SOMEONE PUSHING THE CAR LEFT TO RIGHT ON THE BACK WINDOWS. DRIVING SLOWER IS NOT THE SOLUTION, WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY AT 40MPH AND THE CAR IS DOING WEIRD MOTIONS IN THE BACK, AND 99% OF THE OTHERS ON THE SAME ROAD, SAME LANES, ARE NOT HAVING CONTROL ISSUES, THEY ARE CRUISING AT 55-60 AND ALMOST ALL THE CARS ARE MASHING THE BRAKES TO NOT REAREND GRANNY IN THE UNCONTROLLABLE SWAYING OUTBACK. AH, SO YOU SAY GET DEDICATED SNOWS. MY OTHER OLDER SOOBS DID NOT NEED THEM TO BE CONTROLLABLE, THE OTHER CARS ON THE SAME ICY ROAD DO NOT H

THIS PAST WEEK IN MINNESOTA WE HAD COLD ENOUGH TEMPS SO THAT ROAD SALT WAS INEFFECTIVE ON I-35 NORTH OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE HAD LIGHT SNOW AT THE TIME I WAS DRIVING SO THAT SLIPPERY ICE FORMED ON THE WHEEL RUTS IN THE RIGHT LANE. MOST OF THE OTHER DRIVERS IGNORED IT. MY SUBARU, HOWEVER, BEGAN FISHTAILING IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED AN ICY SPOT, SO THAT I HAD TO SLOW TO 45 MPH IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED REGULARLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOUR WINTERS I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. WHEN ON ICE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT BEGINS FISHTAILING OUT OF CONTROL. IT HAPPENS WITH ALL LOADS. THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF TIRES (NOT THE SAME AS THE FIRST). I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN WINTER ROADS FOR 45 YEARS. THIS CAR IS (AND HAS BEEN SINCE IT WAS NEW) VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY IN ICY CONDITIONS. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED WAGON. DRIVING ON WET ROADS, NOT EVEN ICY, THE MOST MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD, OR FROST HEAVE, WILL SEND THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SWAYING, ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN AS GHOST WALKING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS IT HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ON STRAIGHT ROADS, AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE LANE. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS SUBARU DEALERSHIP PERFORMING A FULL ALIGNMENT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AWD, SO RAIN SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR. I ALSO NOTICE THIS SWAYING HAPPEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, BUT NOT AS THREATENING. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS PLAY IN THE REAR END, BUT CAR WAS FULLY SAFETY CHECKED BY SUBARU AND PASSED ALL POINTS. SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FLAW IN THE AWD, NAMELY THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN THE REAR END. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN WINTER CONDITIONS, YET THAT'S WHAT SUBARU'S ARE KNOWN FOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLDER WEATHER, HE SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10

2006 SUBARU OUTBACK AUTO TRANS. ON MANY OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S REAR-END SIDE-STEPS OR OSCILLATES ON ICY/SNOW-PACKED ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS "GHOST-WALKING" WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE AWD SYSTEM IN THE REAR IS OVER COMPENSATING, LEADING TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE 30-40MPH RANGE. ALTHOUGH, I PREFER NOT TO DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ALLOW, IT CAN BE VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN OTHER 2WD CARS AND TRUCKS ARE PASSING YOU GOING 20MPH FASTER AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I HAVE HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND HAD BRAND-NEW ALL SEASON TIRES INSTALLED, WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE DEALER HAS NOT FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE A REAR WHEEL BEARING IN MY 2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK, WHICH ONLY HAS APPROX. 46,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE FAILURES IN THE NEWER SUBARUS, BUT THAT SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

FRONT END TIE ROD DEFECTIVE. OEM PART. CAUGHT BY MECHANIC FIXING CHRONIC ALIGNMENT ISSUE WITH 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. I WAS TOLD WAS DANGEROUS CONDITION, AND FRONT END WAS SHIMMYING. REPLACED PART AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT SOURCE OF THE ODOR. WHEN UTILIZING THE HEATER OR DEFROST SYSTEM, THE ODOR BECAME OVERPOWERING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ODOR WAS NOT AS STRONG, YET STILL PRESENT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,903 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,198.

2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK 2.5I WITH 44K MILES. ON HARD PACK SNOW/ICE/SLUSH THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE TENDENCY TO LOSE CONTROL AT THE REAR WHEELS. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES ANYTIME I ENCOUNTER THE IDENTICAL CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE ALIGNED AS SUGGESTED BY MY LOCAL SHORTLINE SUBARU DEALER AT MY COST. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE AT LESS THAN 30MPH WHILE TRACKING STRAIGHT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. AS THIS VEHICLE IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE DRIVERS WILL HAVE A TENDENCY TO USE THIS VEHICLE IN THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TEST THIS VEHICLES REAR SUSPENSION. *TR