2006 SUBARU OUTBACK Complaints and Recall Information
The 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK has 2 complaints and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report brake system failures including brake pedal going to the floor and loss of braking power without warning lights. Brake line corrosion caused by mud and water trapped behind plastic shields is cited as the main cause of brake fluid leakage.
Common Issues- Brake fluid leakage. Brake lines corrode due to accumulation of mud and water behind plastic shields, causing brake fluid to drain out.
- Brake pedal failure. Brake pedal goes to the floor resulting in loss of braking power during operation without illumination of warning lights.
There are 7 recalls affecting various systems including the brake hydraulic system, air bag inflators, and ignition switches. Several recalls address corrosion of brake lines primarily in salt belt states. Others involve passenger air bag inflator rupture risks related to propellant degradation. The ignition switch recall addresses risk of engine shutdown due to mechanical failure.
Recalls- Brake line corrosion (13V110000). 274,402 vehicles affected. Corrosion caused by salt water splashing through fuel tank protector gaps leads to brake fluid leakage and increased stopping distances. Recall covers certain 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles in salt belt states. Dealers inspect and rustproof or replace brake lines free of charge. No Do Not Drive advisory.
- Brake line corrosion expansion (14V311000). 461,338 vehicles affected. Extends brake line corrosion recall to additional vehicles including 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza, and others in salt belt states with option for non-salt belt states to request repairs. Similar inspection and repair procedures as previous recall. No Do Not Drive advisory.
- Passenger air bag inflator rupture (15V323000). 432,016 vehicles affected. Moisture intrusion can cause inflator to rupture on deployment, posing risk of metal fragments injuring occupants. Applies to 2003-2008 Outback and other Subaru models. Dealers replace inflators free of charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator propellant degradation (20V001000). 258,813 vehicles affected. Prior replaced inflators may explode due to humidity and temperature cycling. Affects 2003-2014 Outback and other Subaru models in certain states (Zone A). Dealers replace inflators free of charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator propellant degradation (20V003000). 111,562 vehicles affected. Similar to above but covers different states (Zone C). Dealers replace inflators free of charge.
- Ignition switch failure (19V297000). 511 vehicles affected. Replacement mechanical key ignition switches may fail due to broken ball spring, causing unexpected engine shut-off and potential air bag non-deployment. Applies to 2005-2014 Outback and other Subaru models. Dealers inspect and replace ignition switches free of charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator propellant degradation (20V002000). 127,547 vehicles affected. Same defect as other inflator recalls but covers additional states (Zone B). Dealers replace inflators free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated brake system repairs or unresolved air bag and ignition switch recalls may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting legal assistance specialized in vehicle defect cases could help address ongoing safety and repair concerns.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK Summary
2006
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
1666189
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
111562 vehicles affected
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.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
258813 vehicles affected
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.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
127547 vehicles affected
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.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
511 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
432016 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
461338 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
274402 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2105026SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving home when my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Next, I realized I could not stop the vehicle. I was able to pull over and stop. A puddle was pooling under my vehicle by the rear passenger tire. I received no lights or illumination or warning.
2006 SUBARU OUTBACK
ID: 2070610SERVICE BRAKES
My brake warning light came on as I was driving down a steep decline on a narrow road. When I found a safe place to pull over I found I had very little brakes. It was found that once a plastic shield was removed from the rear of the car that the plastic shield was full of mud and water and had corroded the brake lines causing the brake fluid to drain out of the system. It appears there was a recall for this but only in salt belt states. I have only owned the car for a year and it does not show any outstanding recalls.