Subaru Outback Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 530 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the Subaru Outback across 32 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (98). The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (25% of reports).
- 530vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 116mention a crash
- 32mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 134 of 530 complaints (25%)
- Parking space: mentioned in 37 of 530 complaints (7%)
- Suddenly accelerated: mentioned in 35 of 530 complaints (7%)
- Code P2138: mentioned in 30 of 530 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 378 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 530 complaints, 116 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 32 an injury.
Subaru Outback vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Outback | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2025 Outback | 2 | 2% | 500 |
| 2024 Outback | 3 | 3% | 1,000 |
| 2023 Outback | 3 | 3% | 12,800 |
| 2022 Outback | 4 | 1% | 7,324 |
| 2021 Outback | 19 | 6% | 23,400 |
| 2020 Outback | 18 | 2% | 1,050 |
| 2019 Outback | 26 | 3% | 5,000 |
| 2018 Outback | 21 | 3% | 8,000 |
| 2017 Outback | 28 | 3% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Outback | 22 | 3% | 4,250 |
| 2015 Outback | 26 | 5% | 25,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 14 | 7% | 13,725 |
| 2013 Outback | 26 | 9% | 14,500 |
| 2012 Outback | 8 | 3% | 3,875 |
| 2011 Outback | 25 | 4% | 52,000 |
| 2010 Outback | 13 | 4% | 54,444 |
| 2009 Outback | 2 | 2% | 11,718 |
| 2008 Outback | 6 | 3% | 22,807 |
| 2007 Outback | 17 | 13% | 100,000 |
| 2006 Outback | 98 | 35% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Outback | 40 | 15% | 89,641 |
| 2004 Outback | 20 | 22% | 62,800 |
| 2003 Outback | 9 | 10% | 28,500 |
| 2002 Outback | 12 | 8% | 44,500 |
| 2001 Outback | 17 | 10% | 41,500 |
| 2000 Outback | 14 | 7% | 56,000 |
| 1999 Outback | 9 | 8% | 73,300 |
| 1998 Outback | 13 | 10% | 66,500 |
| 1997 Outback | 8 | 10% | 120,000 |
| 1996 Outback | 4 | 9% | 186,000 |
| 1995 Outback | 1 | 50% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control:cables
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released. If this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.
Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. Owner notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.
Risk: Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The car accelerates on its own at times. I am not pressing the gas or going down a hill. It is flat road, sometimes even pulling into my driveway. There is also feeling like I am being bumped from the back and moving when I am idle. I am strict about oil changes and have it fully inspected when I…
I'm new to this automotive technology. When I was introduced to the car, one of the "features" indicated was the ability to sense and slow down for curves, if the system sensed the need, when operating under the cruise control option. In testing my different options of my new car, I was using the…
UNKNOWN When pulling into a parking space at the [XXX] diner my 2016 OUTBACK suddenly accelerated while I was ready to shift from drive to park. It was as if I put the gas peddle to the floor. There was a car about 6feet in front of me which I hit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…
I was in an automatic car wash, approaching the end of the tunnel. The car was running but in neutral. I put my foot on the brake pedal and shifted into drive. As I moved the shifter, I heard a scraping sound followed by a clink sound, then the car surged forward and accelerated toward a stone wall…
The contact owned 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH turning a right hand corner into a shopping center, the vehicle began to accelerate without the contacts consent. and the contact proceeded to frantically apply the brakes. The vehicle came to a stop upon impact…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 530 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the Subaru Outback. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Outback vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 134 of 530 complaints, followed by “parking space” (37).
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,760)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Engine problems (718)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
- Exterior Lighting problems (335)
See all Subaru Outback problems.