Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

2006 Subaru Outback cruise control problems

moderate 71 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600

Complaints
71
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$600

What owners are reporting 7 most recent

cruise control · filed 12/27/2016

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO WHEN MY CAR'S ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. I WAS ON A SHARP DOWNHILL CURVE WHEN I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE CARS BEHIND ME. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *TR

cruise control · filed 12/22/2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF MOMENTARILY AND THE FAILURE WOULD RESET ITSELF UNTIL RECURRING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN WHICH A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORM…

cruise control · filed 12/20/2012

I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN MY 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN I BRAKE FOR SLOWING TRAFFIC, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WENT INTO IDLE MODE. I WAS LOSING SPEED AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. T…

cruise control · filed 12/19/2017

ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES LIMP AND UNRESPONSIVE AT RANDOM MOMENTS INCLUDING HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE SAID THE SAME. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN THE MOST DURING COLDER WEATHER AND THE CARS GAS PEDAL BECOMES COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND REQUIRES THE CAR TO BE PULLED OVER OVER AND TURNED OFF TO SIT FOR A SOME TIME. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK THE RPMS JUM…

cruise control · filed 12/19/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O…

cruise control · filed 12/09/2013

VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE SUDDENLY. WAS ABLE TO COAST AT ABOUT 20MPH OFF OF AN INTERSTATE TO A SAFE LOCATION CODE CHECK INDICATED P2138 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAULT. *TR

cruise control · filed 12/08/2016

JUST RECEIVED "TAKATA RECALL" LETTER STATING THERE ARE NOW SUFFICIENT PARTS AVAILABLE. AT THE SAME TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CRUISE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL WORK AND TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND THAT A CODE P2138 IS FOUND WITH THIS OCCURRENCE AND IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. MY WIFE CALLED ME ON HER …

Common questions

How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2006 Subaru Outback?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 71 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.
Get a free warranty quote →