2006 Subaru Outback reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2006 Subaru Outback from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 404
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- 94 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 7
- see below
- Reported harm
- 12 reported crashes · 4 injuries · 4 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#1,302
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Subaru median
+222
median 182 across 97 Subaru records
Vs 2004-2008
+129
median 275 complaints in 883 records
Top component share
23%
Vehicle Speed Control: 94 complaints
What owners report fails — 2006 Subaru Outback
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 94
- ENGINE 43
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40
- AIR BAGS 37
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29
7 recalls on record for the 2006 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 20V001000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V003000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 20V002000 · 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 19V297000 · 2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air ba
- NHTSA 15V323000 · 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with met
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2006 Subaru Outback
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2006 Subaru Outback units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Subaru Outback reliable?
NHTSA has 404 consumer complaints on record for the 2006 Subaru Outback and 7 recalls. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (94 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2006 Subaru Outback units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report problems with: vehicle speed control (94), engine (43), electrical system (40), air bags (37). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2006 Subaru Outback?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2006 Subaru Outback. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.