2006 Subaru Forester vs 2006 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2006 Subaru Forester | 2006 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 88 | 276 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 7 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 133 | 200 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–22 | 19–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 54,306 mi | 95,740 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 98 |
| Engine | 11 | 43 |
| Suspension | 12 | 37 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 42 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 29 |
| Steering | 9 | 12 |
| Power Train | 4 | 17 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Hesitation / surging | 14 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 10 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 94 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 27 |
| Stalling | 0 | 11 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 7 |
2006 Subaru Forester
2006 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester 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.