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 LOCATI…
2006 subaru Legacy cruise control problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$600
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: $282.00…
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
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?
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.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.