YearToAvoid

2006 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA has 133 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Subaru Outback, 48% of all 277 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 21 Outback model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 100,000 miles.

Engine complaints
133
48% of 277
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
100,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 23, 2006, latest Apr 15, 2022.

2006 Subaru Outback engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter122006 Q12012 Q12013 Q22014 Q32015 Q42017 Q12018 Q32020 Q4
133 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q1 to 2022 Q2; peak 2014 Q4 (12).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200562 (23%)
  2. 2006133 (48%)
  3. 200732 (25%)
  4. 200825 (11%)
  5. 200920 (19%)
  6. 201077 (21%)
  7. 2011113 (17%)
  8. 201259 (20%)
  9. 201388 (30%)
  10. 201449 (24%)
  11. 201574 (15%)
  12. 201674 (12%)
  13. 201769 (8%)
  14. 201857 (7%)
  15. 201964 (6%)
  16. 202061 (7%)
  17. 202137 (13%)
  18. 202226 (6%)
  19. 20233 (3%)
  20. 202410 (10%)
  21. 20258 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Subaru Outback have engine problems?
NHTSA has 133 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Subaru Outback, 48% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 100,000 miles.
Which Subaru Outback year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Subaru Outback has the most engine complaints (133), compared with 133 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Subaru Outback?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Subaru Outback is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.