Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine and cruise control warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle went into limp mode as the contact steered the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.
I was traveling on a 3-lane highway at the posted mileage (60 MPH). Simultaneously the check engine light came on and the gas pedal lost all power. The cruise light was also flashing. I tried flooring the gas pedal, but the vehicle continued to lose power and the speed rapidly decreased to less than 20 MPH. This happened with absolutely no warning and no time to get off a busy thoroughfare. This occurred at approximately 3:00 pm, so fortunately the traffic was not extremely heavy. I was able to cut across 2 lanes of traffic that was going 60 MPH +, exit on an off-ramp, and get to a safe location to call for a tow truck to take the vehicle to dealership for repair. The outcome was code p2138 (accelerator sensor). The sensor was replaced at a cost of $340. I purchased this vehicle new in 2006, and have kept it well maintained at the dealership per their service schedule. …
While driving my 2006 Subaru Outback down the highway, the accelerator became non-responsive. I was traveling at above 65 MPH and lost power. The service engine soon (ses) light came on and the cruise control light started flashing. I had to pull over to the side of the road. The car was still running at idle but nothing would happen when pushing the accelerator. I turned car off and waited for 15-20 minutes and restarted the car. The accelerator pedal then seemed to work as normal. My husband read the ses code (p2138 throttle position sensor). He checked the wiring connection at the foot pedal and it seemed fine. He reset the code with his code reader. The car drove fine with no issues for about 3-4 weeks but then had the same issue recur. This is a safety issue as I was very lucky I wasn't in the middle of a lot of traffic when this occurred. …
Unexpectedly, while driving, the check engine light will come on, the car will idle high, the accelerator pedal will not respond, and the cruise control light will also come on. The car won't move even while pressing down on the accelerator pedal. I have to pull off the road, turn the car off, and wait until the car starts, the idle returns to normal, and the accelerator pedal responds. This has happened once last year and twice this year; the last time being 2/17/17. I was lucky. The first time it happened I was on a country road. The second time was more difficult as I was on a busy city street in winter, and the last time I had a green light and had just gone through an intersection in a suburb and was able to pull off the road. I did bring it to my mechanic who ran the code, which was p2138, the throttle position sensor. I will be getting this repaired. …
My wife was driving our 2006 Subaru Outback. She was driving in winter conditions. She was driving the 2 mile bridge to our home when the acceleration suddenly failed and the vehicle abruptly slowed from 55 MPH to 35 MPH. The roads had snow and ice on them. The vehicle behind her closed in on the rear of our Subaru and began honking and flashing its lights. The check engine light in our car came on and the cruise control flashed. She was scared by the misfunction. The car revved up above 4000 rpms when she put it into park. She shut the vehicle off and I checked and found an error code. P2138. The accelerator has 2 circuits that relay the desired speed to the car's computer. When the circuits don't match the computer cuts the speed out of the vehicle. I think that the engineering behind this system needs to be re thought so that this doesn't occur. …
Today I came to a complete stop at a red light. When the light turned green and I accelerated, my vehicle began to sputter out. I tried to pull over but my car had no power. It began to sputter then died in the middle of the road. I was stranded at 9 am on broadway with my 1.5 year old and 2 week old. I tried to start my car multiple times for 8 minutes until one attempt it turned over, this time with my check engine light and cruise control light flashing. It limped around for a while as I took it to a shop I was told the code read 'throttle positioning sensor'. Which I can't seem to find anything about let alone find it in a store or online. This experience has been frightening and dangerous and I have lost utter faith in my Subaru.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. While driving, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bertera Subaru (499 riverdale st, west springfield, ma 01089, [phone]) and a smoke test was completed. The contact was informed by the technician that a new fuel tank was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had previously taken the vehicle to the same dealer. At that times, a smoke test was completed and the fuel cap was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would provide a small allowance towards the repair or towards a new or used vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000. The VIN was not available.
Subaru dealership refused to discuss safety issue recalls selling vehicle with open safety recalls and other safety issues that could have been easily remedied. The vehicle had been in for service and problems were not addressed. Dealership claims "sold as is" and buyer beware, after we had leased a new 2019 vehicle and purchased a like new used vehicle that had gone through their extensive multipoint inspections. Issues for air bags, fuel system leaking, potential fire and explosion, faulty seat latches as safety recall. Dealership has violated trust and exhibited no concern for anyone's safety. We can not trust this dealership for repair or service of our vehicles.
Three times I have lost all acceleration while in motion, with the car and engine slowing to idle speed even though the accelerator is depressed. This occurred twice on two-lane highways and once in my driveway. In all cases, the car returned to normal after being turned off for a short time and restarted. My mechanic is looking into a possible electronic throttle issue. In searching the internet, I find this is not an uncommon problem with 2006 outbacks and other subarus. This is a dangerous condition that could prove deadly if it happens on a busy highway and Subaru should address it.
I experienced my gas pedal no longer working while driving, car was driving well, on a residential street going about 25 MPH, then there was suddenly no gas/acceleration, had to coast to a stop. The check engine light came on, cruise control light was flashing. About 2 hours later the car was running normal again. The diagnosis code given was p2138 throttle/pedal position sensor/switch d/e voltage correlation. It is very scary and unsafe to suddenly not have power while driving, will be driving on the outside lane until the problem is fixed to I can get out of traffic safely.
Fuel System complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Subaru Outback, 14% of the model year's 277 complaints. The component named most often is storage › auxillary tank (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Subaru Outback fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Subaru Outback, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Subaru Outback fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.