Model year guide

2006 Subaru Outback

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Subaru Outback is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 74 on record.

2006 Subaru Outback — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2006 Subaru Outback at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints280
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$6,036

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2006 Subaru Outback recalls 7

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V003000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V002000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, O…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V001000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saip…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact…

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #19V297000 · 11/04/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #14V311000 · 10/06/2014

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be …

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V323000 · 28/05/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactu…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Own…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #13V110000 · 27/03/2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. S…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These ser…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2006 Subaru Outback common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2006 Subaru Outback MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,429

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2006 Subaru Outback worth?

Low
$3,300
Typical price
$6,036
High
$9,300

From 74 comparable 2006 Subaru Outback listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Subaru Outback costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,145
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,900
Total$21,045
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,036) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,137), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2006 Subaru Outback trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5i Special Edition · 2.5i · 2.5i Limited · 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition · 2.5 XT Limited · 3.0R · 2.5GT Limited · 2.5GT · 3.0 R VDC Limited · 3.0 R
Engines
2.5L · 3.0L

2006 Subaru Outback vehicles on record

2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i4S4BP61C967346026 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C767350544 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C567316926 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C667355704 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BL86C064202463 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited4S4BP62C567322854 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited4S4BL62C667210690 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61CX67328599 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C667353001 2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited4S4BP85C864308181 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C467314228 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C067318194 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C867337625 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C867351427 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C967337228 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited4S4BP62C967325109 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C367348659 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C867326298 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition4S4BP86C964309029 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited4S4BP62CX67363299 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61C767329936 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61CX67319790 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited4S4BP67C564333606 2006 Subaru Outback 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition4S4BP61CX67302438

Other Subaru Outback model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998

2006 Subaru Outback — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Subaru Outback have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2006 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Outback?

Based on 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electrical system, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Subaru Outback get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2006 Subaru Outback at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2006 Subaru Outback worth?

Comparable 2006 Subaru Outback listings run roughly $3,300–$9,300, typically around $6,036 (from 74 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.