Tapped brake pedal to disable cruise control. No throttle control when resuming manual speed control. Coasted to a stop through multiple lanes of freeway traffic. Engine kept running possibly at raise idle speed when stopped. No loss of power steering or brakes.turned key off. Restarted after maybe less than a minute. Throttle control resumed. Check engine light was on. Drove to multiple…
2006 Subaru Legacy cruise control problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
When does it fail?
Of the 21 cruise control complaints filed for the 2006 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 21.
Cruise control accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twenty-one owners describe the same core failure: while driving at normal speeds, the accelerator pedal suddenly stops responding. The check engine light comes on, the cruise control light flashes or illuminates, and the vehicle enters a fail-safe mode with no throttle response. Owners must coast to a stop in whatever lane they occupy—on highways, in traffic, at intersections—with no warning. The engine may idle high or rev erratically while stopped.
Diagnostic code P2138 (throttle position sensor error) appears repeatedly across the complaints. The condition is intermittent; a key-off restart typically restores control temporarily, though the warning lights remain. One owner reported that throttle body replacement did not fix the problem. Another had the sensor cleaned initially, then needed replacement four months later when the same failure recurred.
Separately, two owners report unintended acceleration: one vehicle accelerated from 58 mph to 77 mph on a downhill grade with cruise control engaged; another revved high while stopped with brakes applied. A dealer told one owner this was normal cruise control behavior and advised disengaging it on descents.
One owner experienced complete engine stall with rapid RPM rise preceding shutdown. Two owners noted steering became very tight during throttle loss, complicating safe stopping. All owners stress the danger: loss of power in moving traffic creates collision risk and no opportunity to prepare.
Same Subaru Legacy cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of throttle response (limp mode/fail-safe)
Engine loses response to accelerator pedal inputs. Vehicle enters a fail-safe or limp mode where the accelerator has no effect, forcing the driver to coast to a stop. Engine may idle high or rev erratically. Typically accompanied by check engine light and cruise control warning light illumination.
When: Occurs intermittently while driving at various speeds (25–55 mph); can happen on highways, in traffic, or at intersections with no warning. Reported at mileages ranging from 60,000 to 140,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal unresponsive/no throttle control when depressed; Check engine light illuminates; Cruise control light illuminates or flashes; Vehicle slows rapidly and must coast to stop; Engine idles high or revs erratically when stopped; Condition intermittent; restarting vehicle temporarily restores control
Codes mentioned: P2138 (Throttle Position Sensor error)
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics have cleaned throttle position sensor (temporary fix) or replaced throttle body and accelerator pedal position sensor assembly. One owner reported repair cost of $282–$296 (with tax) for pedal sensor replacement. Another owner reported throttle body replacement did not resolve the issue.
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates on its own, particularly when cruise control is engaged. One owner reported acceleration while braking at a stop; another noted excessive acceleration while descending a downhill grade with cruise control set. In the downhill case, the dealer attributed it to normal cruise control operation and advised disengaging cruise control on descents.
When: Occurs while cruise control is engaged, particularly on downhill stretches or at a complete stop. Reported at around 58 mph cruise control setting.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input; Cruise control set at 58 mph accelerates vehicle to 77 mph on downhill grade; Vehicle revs high while brakes are engaged at complete stop
Codes mentioned:
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspected and determined acceleration on downhill was normal cruise control function; advised disengaging cruise control during descent. Manufacturer was alerted but no recall or fix was issued.
Stalling during operation
Engine stalls or shuts down while driving, with rapid RPM increase preceding the shutdown. Vehicle loses all power and control. Occurs without warning.
When: Reported at approximately 35 mph during traffic driving. One occurrence 4 months after initial cleaning of throttle position sensor; another incident on a busy street.
Symptoms owners cite: RPMs increase rapidly; Engine completely stalls; Check engine light illuminates after restart; No warning signs before stalling
Codes mentioned: P2138 (inferred from mechanic assessment)
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic cleaned the throttle position sensor initially but advised replacement if problem recurred. Owner planned immediate replacement.
Tight steering during throttle loss
Power steering becomes very tight or unresponsive at the same moment throttle control is lost, complicating emergency maneuvers.
When: Occurred at 35 mph while attempting to accelerate uphill; happened twice with no warning.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes very tight when throttle unresponsiveness occurs
Codes mentioned:
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Vehicle failed to sustain highway speed although pedal was pressed steadily and then variably to regain throttle control. Vehicle stalled on freeway, very dangerous situation. Mechanic test show error code p2138. Replaced accelerator pedal position sensor switch assembly to resolve issue. No prior evidence of failure to provide warning prior to throttle system failure. Cost to repair:…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the check engine and the cruise control warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
Driving at 55 MPH vehicle accelerator became unresponsive. Check engine light came on as well as cruise and sport lights. There was no power at the pedal. I had to coast to a stop in traffic lane. Engine surged up and down in RPM's. Shut key car off. After a couple minutes, car started and driving was resumed like nothing happened. Warning lights remained on in dash. *tr
Had cruise control trouble with your 2006 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2006 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 80,000 and 136,000 miles, with the median around 125,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 136,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Subaru/Legacy.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.