TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,696 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
2005 Subaru Outback cruise control problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$600
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RANDOMLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON FLAT ROAD APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, RESULTING IN NO SPEED CONTROL, ABLE TO DRIVE ONLY ON IDLE SPEED. FIRST SEEMS LIKE NOT 'SHIFTING GEARS' CORRECTLY, THEN NO SPEED CONTROL. (MANY COMMENTS IN ONLINE FORUM OF ELUSIVE PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE BY SUBARU DEALERS AND MUCH MONEY SPENT WITH ONLY RANDOM SUCCESS.) WHEN RESTARTED CAR DROVE NORM…
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS MOTHER WAS DOING ABOUT 5 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IS WAS A NICE DAY AND WEATHER WAS NOT AN ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT STRUCK TREES AND THAT FRONT END DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR. THE CONTACT ALS…
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INVOICE STATES THAT IT TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN BUT IT SHOULD STATE THAT IT TURNS ON BY ITSELF. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN USE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, JUMPING A 10 INCH CURB, STRIKING A PINE TREE, THEN DOWN A GRASSY SLOPE AND OFF A SECOND CURB INTO A…
INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SPEEDOMETER FELL TO 0, AND WHEN PRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOTHING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE LIMPED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD THEN COME ON. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE AC…
EVERY TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL THE THROTTLE BEGINS TO RAPIDLY AND WILDLY ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE AS IF IT IS OUT OF CONTROL. IT STOPS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. VERY UNNERVING. *JB
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE GAS PEDAL STOPS FUNCTIONING. IT HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS WELL AS LOCAL ROADS. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN YOU HAVE TO FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE OR MORE. RESTART THE CAR AND THE PEDAL COMES BACK. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS. I COULD END UP GETTING REAR ENDED. MY GRAND CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR. THE SCANNER CODE CAME UP P2138 SUBARU R…
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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