REAR TRACKING BEGINS OSCILLATING DANGEROUSLY IN WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. GOING 30 MPH AND BEING PASSED BY EVERY CAR ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP FROM CRASHING. REAR WHEELS SEEM TO TRANSFER TRACTION TO TIRES THAT ARE SLIPPING, OSCILLATING BACK AND FORTH, CAUSING REAR END TO FISHTAIL AT ANY SPEED. REPLACED TIRES AND SAME THING. THIS IS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE…
2006 subaru Outback suspension problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$900
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2006 SUBARU IS UNSAFE ON SLIPPERY ROADS. THE CAR HAS A TENDENCY TO "STEER" FROM THE REAR. IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL THAT CAUSES MORE POWER TO THE REAR AND THUS MAKES THE REAR WANT TO FISHTAIL OUT WHILE DRIVING SLOW IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN ON ICE. EVEN WITH SNOW TIRES. AND I HAD A RWD COUGAR WITH BAD TIRES WHEN I WAS YOUNG. *TR
'06 SUBARU OUTBACK(AUTO) SEEMS TO HAVE HANDLING ISSUES CAUSED BY AWD SYSTEM. SOME HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS "GHOSTWALKING", WHERE THE REAR END OF THE CAR SHIFTS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE AWD KICKS IN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. HAVE REPLACED TIRES AND CHECKED ALIGNMENT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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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