2005 Subaru Outback vs 2006 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2005 Subaru Outback | 2006 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 273 | 276 |
| Recall campaigns | 9 | 7 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 244 | 200 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 13 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 19–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 84,597 mi | 95,740 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 | 98 |
| Suspension | 56 | 37 |
| Air Bags | 38 | 39 |
| Electrical System | 28 | 42 |
| Engine | 10 | 43 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 29 |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting | 30 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 27 | 94 |
| Rust / corrosion | 17 | 10 |
| Stalling | 8 | 11 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 27 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 7 |
2005 Subaru Outback
2006 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.