2006 Subaru Outback suspension problems

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Suspension · MI

The vehicle becomes uncontrollable on light ice. The rear end will "ghost walk" (seems to steer on its own). I have driven in snow my entire life and have never experienced this issue in any other vehicle. I am also an ASE certified master technician. It only happens if I have passengers in the rear seat or groceries in the cargo area. The car is not even close to its cargo limit. The tires have been replaced and an alignment performed and the issue remains. I found that this is a commonly reported problem in the forums. The car is absolutely unsafe in this condition. I was being passed by every other car on the road. The rear end will float back and forth over 35 mph regardless of any driver input (acceleration, deceleration, steering input etc).

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · NY

My vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it. It is not shifting properly from 2ns-3rd gear while driving, it jerks pretty hard if cold, I have had numerous brake problems, takes a long time to stop at slow speeds, & I'm having numerous issues with suspension. Balljoints keep clicking while reversing, (control arms,balljoints, bushings, bearings, have all been replaced, etc.) this car has been babied and has almost no miles. It is becoming a money-pitt and nobody wants to fix it.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Suspension · 132,000 miles · MI

Purchased this car used last jan. No incidents yet, but can not drive (with passengers in the back or weight in the cargo area) over 35 MPH in certain road conditions, mainly when there is ice and dry pavement together. Has dangerous rear steer problem in those conditions. I have driven every type of vehicle from semi's to older subaru outbacks and was born and raised in michigan. This car is very dangerous to drive with my family or other passengers in the car! Have tried tires, stiffer springs and struts and alignment. The car is 90% better when I am the only one in the car. Note** I am not an aggressive driver and not expecting too much because it's awd.

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 241,567 miles · NY

While driving vehicle in snow covered, slush covered roads conditions varied during day. The vehicle kept feeling like it was washing out side to side. I had 5 passengers in vehicle and they all could feel it and it scared them and I had to slow down to a dangerously slow speed on interstate, that was causing disruption to traffic flow. On way home took secondary roads so as to not disrupt traffic. This was my first experience in taking this vehicle for drive in snow conditions since it is new to me. We purposely took subaru for legendary handling in snow, it downright shook me up and wished we had our front wheel drive pontiac vibe. I inspected vehicle, made some changes to front suspension, ball joints, sway bar links, control arm bushings, only two control arm bushings were notably bad all other parts changed because I was there. Both tie rods were good. I have since experienced same issue when encountering patches of black ice, snow covered roads as well as driving on gravel roads. I have never experienced a car handling like this in my 35 years of driving! This vehicle is downright dangerous!!! And too think I bought this to be my winter vehicle.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Suspension · 82,000 miles · ID · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, a toxic odor emitted from outside the vehicle. The contact discovered that front passenger's side had caught on fire. The contact extinguished the fire and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the axle boot had failed. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 133,000 miles · CA · crash

Subaru outback began to exhibit "ghost walking" while driving straight during a winter storm. Rear end attempted to race the front end, and could not regain control. This "ghost walking" is well discussed in the online form at subaruoutback.org. Car eventually made it to the edge of the road where it then proceeded to roll 3 times. The experience was not the normally sliding on ice. The rear end seemed to have a mind of its own.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Suspension · 80,500 miles · CO

Thank you for considering my concern; any sudden twitch of the steering wheel, such as trying to avoid a pothole, or hitting a bump in the road will cause the car to oscillate wildly from side to side with fear of loosing control and rolling over. I am a very experienced driver but my only response is to slow down and take my hands off the wheel to let the rolling settle down. I have replaced all four struts and had the car aligned. This is going to kill someone, if it has not already. I hope its not me but I feel sorry for the person who buys my car. I have read many other identical complaints and can not believe subaru or the government has not responded. Both will have blood on their hands when an innocent person looses their life. It would be very easy to see how serious the problem is. Just come drive my car for yourself and you will know true fear. Please help us before its too late! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 11, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 140,000 miles · WI

I see the same complaint several times on this site. This was not the first instance for us either, it has been going on since we bought the vehicle with only 17,000 miles. It has been checked by both subaru and private repair shops several times. The car wonders / ghost walks / swerves unexpectedly on slippery road conditions, you drop real fast from 65 to 40 - 45 MPH or you feel as though you will go out of control off the road, intermittent slippery conditions are the worst. We have had numerous alignments done - 4 wheel alignment perhaps helps only slightly. We have had new tires etc. We are tired of being told there is nothing wrong with the car, its an accident waiting to happen, probably has. Where otherwise in good shape it is a car that we cannot even transfer to our children.

Filed Sep 7, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 1,385 miles · IL

Check engine light no. 1 piston defective engine replaced covered by warranty. 2nd engine & turbo failure at 94,591 miles nov 10 2010 not covered by warranty we paid $5005.00 in repair bills there was coolant, oil, & other fluid loss & a lot of smoke. The 3rd engine & turbo failure august 2012 diagnosis by international auto/subaru showed no.1 piston came loose also there was check engine light in all 3 incidents we were told $9000.00 to start we said no had it towed to our driveway where it sits now it has 136,000 miles on it. Also there was an oil pump failure 121,115 miles $495.00 11/22/2011. Also $853.87 to repair a serious oil leak at 96,650 miles 11/26/2010,front & rear control arm bushings replaced split 96,647 miles $482.33 ,right & left rear wheel bearings failure replaced 118,072 miles 10/12/2011 $897.49.

Filed Jul 13, 2012 · Suspension · 55,000 miles · MO

I took my 2006 subaru outback 2.5 in for routine service and tire rotation. Was told that my left outer cv boot was torn. Took the car to the dealership who verified the problem and was given a price to repair, which I could not afford. Since the car only had approx. 55,000 miles, and my extended warranty had just lapsed, I contacted subaru and was told they would reimburse me for half of the cost of the repairs if they were made at a subaru authorized mechanic, I.e. Dealership. The cost my mechanic of choice quoted was less than half of the dealership fee, so I declined the offer from subaru. July 2012, 60,000 miles, took car in for routine servicing again and was told the right inner cv boot is torn and the left rear strut is leaking. I cannot afford these repairs and have done research to find out that cv boot tears are quite common in subaru's. They will not cover the cost of repair or do a recall even though since my experiences, I have talked to many subaru owners who have had cv boot issues. As it stands now, I do not feel the car is safe to drive, so it sits in the garage while my friends provide transportation. I paid more than $20,000 to buy a car that sits in the garage.