2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Subaru Outback:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #1

Dec 152009

Outback

  • 69,000 miles
I have a 2006 Subaru Outback limited wagon. Driving on wet roads, not even icy, the most minor bump in the road, or frost heave, will send the vehicle's rear end swaying, almost out of control. This is supposedly known as ghost walking. This is extremely dangerous, as it happens at highway speeds, on straight roads, and causes the vehicle to sway back and forth across the lane. Tires have been replaced as well as Subaru dealership performing a full alignment. This is supposed to be AWD, so rain should not be a factor. I also notice this swaying happen on dry pavement, but not as threatening. Seems like there is play in the rear end, but car was fully safety checked by Subaru and passed all points. Seems to be a major flaw in the AWD, namely the limited slip differential in the rear end. I'm afraid to drive this vehicle in winter conditions, yet that's what Subaru's are known for.

- Durham, CT, USA