Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Subaru outback. After starting the vehicle in colder weather, he smells a strong odor of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 20,000. The current mileage was 30,000. Updated 02/17/10. *lj updated 02/18/10
2006 Subaru Outback fuel system problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 11 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 5 model years of Subaru Outback we track for fuel system problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2006 Outback fuel system has two documented problem patterns: a throttle/accelerator sensor fault (P2138) that can cause sudden, complete loss of engine power at any speed, posing serious safety risk on highways; and fuel smell or fuel tank issues that may require expensive replacement. Both issues have occurred across a wide mileage range and sometimes repeat even after a restart.
The 2006 Outback's drive-by-wire throttle system has a critical weak point: the dual-circuit accelerator position sensor. When the two sensor circuits disagree, the engine computer immediately cuts power to idle speed only—no amount of pedal pressure makes any difference. Owners report this happening without warning during freeway merging, highway cruise control use, and suburban driving. The vehicle won't rev above 5 MPH or 600 RPM until the engine is shut off for 30 seconds and restarted, then it's fine again—until the next failure. The check engine light (P2138 code) comes on each time.
Owners rightly call this dangerous: one driver lost all power in heavy traffic on a bridge with snow and ice; another had it happen merging onto the freeway with his family. Dealer fix is a new throttle/pedal assembly at around $500. Subaru offered one owner a small allowance toward repair or vehicle purchase, but no recall has been issued.
Separately, some owners report fuel tank issues requiring smoke testing and replacement, and others smell strong gasoline in the cabin—especially when the heater runs—with no clear cause found even by mechanics. These may indicate evaporative system or tank seal problems.
Failure modes owners describe
Accelerator Position Sensor / Throttle Control Sensor Fault (P2138)
The dual-circuit accelerator position sensor or throttle control sensor fails, triggering a voltage correlation mismatch. When the two sensor circuits' readings diverge, the engine control computer cuts power output to protect the drivetrain, causing near-total loss of throttle response regardless of pedal position. The vehicle goes into limp mode, holding only idle speed (around 600 RPM / 5 MPH). Check engine light and sometimes cruise control warning illuminate. Occurs sporadically; power may return after shutting off the engine for 30 seconds to several minutes and restarting.
When: Between 20,000 and 217,000 miles; incidents occur during normal driving, freeway merging, highway cruise control engagement, and cold starts
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of throttle response; accelerator pedal has no effect on engine speed; Vehicle suddenly slows dramatically or will not accelerate above idle (5–35 MPH); Check engine light illuminates; Cruise control flashes or fails to engage; Power returns after engine restart; Limp mode: vehicle held at idle speed only
Codes mentioned: P2138, P3128
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle/pedal assembly replacement reported at approximately $500. Throttle body replacement also documented. Some cases resolved by reseating the gas cap or power-cycling the ignition; permanent fix requires component replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case (#5), Subaru notified and offered a small allowance toward repair or toward a new or used vehicle purchase, though no repair was completed. No recalls, TSBs, or formal warranty programs mentioned in narratives.
Fuel Tank / Evaporative System Leak (Check Engine Light)
A fuel tank or evaporative control system leak causes the check engine light to illuminate. Diagnosis by smoke test indicates the need for fuel tank replacement. The exact nature of the leak is not detailed in the narratives, but the dealer recommended a new fuel tank as the corrective action.
When: Around 153,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated; No drivability symptoms reported in this case
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: New fuel tank required per dealer recommendation after smoke test. Vehicle was not repaired during the report period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru offered a small allowance toward repair or toward a new or used vehicle purchase.
Gasoline Odor in Passenger Compartment
Strong gasoline smell enters the cabin, particularly when the heater or defrost system is running. The odor persists at various highway speeds but is strongest when cabin climate control is active. An independent mechanic could not pinpoint the source. The complaint does not explicitly link this to a fuel leak or tank failure, though the timing coincides with other fuel-system complaints in this cluster.
When: Between 80,903 and 90,198 miles (complaint #9); between 20,000 and 30,000 miles (complaint #10)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in passenger compartment; Odor intensifies when heater or defrost is used; Odor present but less strong during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs made; source not identified by independent mechanic.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 Subaru Outback?
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 fuel system problem on the 2006 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 80,903 and 135,310 miles, with the median around 93,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,903; a quarter make it past 135,310. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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/Outback.
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.