2006 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Subaru Outback has a complaint index of 10, the second-lowest among 21 model years, and ranks 19th worst out of those years. It carries a Good verdict, though that rating is capped due to incomplete complaint records for 2005-2009 model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 277
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2006 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine133 (48%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 (17%)
- Electrical System45 (16%)
- Airbags40 (14%)
- Fuel System40 (14%)
- Brakes28 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (6%)
- Steering12 (4%)
- Other9 (3%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden acceleration while pulling out of or backing into parking spaces, leading to crashes into walls or posts.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during head-on and rear-end collisions.
- Owners describe a rear-end 'ghost walking' or fishtailing sensation during winter driving that led to loss of control.
- Electrical shorts involving trailer wiring connections were reported to cause fires.
- Owners report axle boot failures causing toxic odor and fire near the front passenger side.
- One owner reported complete brake failure while parking, resulting in a crash into a building.
2006 Subaru Outback recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2006 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2006 Outback a complaint index of 10, one of the lowest among the 21 model years tracked, and it ranks 19th worst overall, earning a Good verdict.
- What is the top problem area for the 2006 Subaru Outback?
- Engine complaints lead with 133 reports, making up 48% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2006 Outback, covering airbags, the electrical system, and brakes.
- Why is the 2006 Outback's verdict capped at Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped because complaint records for the 2005-2009 model years are less complete, so a higher rating isn't assigned despite the low complaint index.
- How does the 2006 Outback compare to other Outback years?
- With a complaint index of 10, the 2006 Outback ranks better than most other years, including 2016-2020 and 2022, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes between 55 and 100.