Wiring problems of the 2006 Subaru Outback

I was driving my 2006 Subaru Outback at around 40 mph, going straight on a busy road. Without warning, the accelerator stopped functioning and the vehicle slowed down abruptly. It apparently entered a "safe" mode, with a maximum speed of about 10 mph regardless of how much pressure I applied to the accelerator. The "check engine" warning light was illuminated, and the cruise control light began flashing. I pulled into a parking lot and turned off the ignition. When I re-started the car, the warning lights remained illuminated, but the accelerator functioned normally again and I was able to return home. The vehicle's engine management computer provided an error code p2138, throttle position sensor/switch voltage correlation. This appears to be a common problem with Subaru vehicles from around this model year. It has the potential to be an extremely dangerous situation when the throttle suddenly stops working and the car slows to a crawl abruptly. My 17-year-old daughter is the main driver of this vehicle. If the error were to occur on the highway, it could cause a serious accident. There is no reason that the computer needs to put the vehicle in "safe" mode after sensing an electrical abnormality in the throttle wiring. I would like to request a recall to correct this extremely hazardous safety defect.

Rear wiper ceased functioning. The problem was due to broken wire(s) in a wiring harness that passes through a rubber accordion boot between the car body and the tail-gate (near the right-hand tailgate hinge). Many of the other wires, affecting upper brake light, license plate lights, backup lights, and tailgate latch/lock, were frayed and were replaced due to imminent failure of the above listed components. Research at an online forum for Subaru owners showed that many other owners (of 2005 and 2006 Subaru Outbacks) have experienced similar failures due to broken wires in this wiring harness. I suspect that it is an under-reported problem. I believe that Subaru should be asked to issue a safety recall notice.

While driving on interstate highway, vehicle lost engine power. Electric was still on. Gas pedal did not work. Cel and cruise control lights both blinking. Was able to maintain 15 mph on flat road, and barley any speed on incline. Got off highway near home and shut of engine. Waited and tried to start back up. 30 seconds of cranking, and nothing. Waited another minute and it started. Got home and pulled a p2138 code. Pulled wiring harness off gas pedal and reseated it. Reset the cel and everything has been fine since. Scary situation, especially at 65mph during thanksgiving eve rush-hour.

After slowing to a near stop at the bottom of an interstate highway exit ramp, my car suddenly, and without warning, died and I lost all systems, including engine and power steering. All I was able to do was drift to the side of the road. Subaru initially believed that the ecm had failed. After replacing the ecm, it became apparent that that was not the issue. Subaru ultimately determined that the wiring harness housing had melted against the coolant crossover pipe, exposing wiring which was then shorting out. Subaru could give me no explanation as to why the wiring harness was installed against a hot component of my engine such that it would melt. Had this happened 1 minute earlier, I would have been on interstate 95 during rush hour traffic with a dead car. Given the suddenness with which my car died, it is likely I would have been involved in a serious accident.

I was using an aftermarket trailer wiring harness with my 2006 Subaru Outback wagon. The converter unit that plugged into the car wiring and converted it to the 4 flat configuration for my trailer failed by shorting out and caused a fire. Had I not realized what was going on quickly the car would have been a total loss. The trailer wiring harness is manufactured by draw-tite and has a model number of 17499-101. I attempted to contact draw-tite directly but have received no response. I was traveling with my 4 year old son at the time, and this incident caused us both to be scared, as any vehicle fire would.