Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was turning around a bend, going approximately 35mpg, when the wheels no longer were turning as if not responding to the direction of the wheel, almost like it was operating independently of the steering column. The automobile slammed into the curb on the left of the road, damaging the alignment.
The steering warning light came on and my steering wheel stiffened. Luckily I was able to make it home, but when I went back to crank it. The light was still on and it would only move forward of backwards; because I wasn't able at all to turn the steering wheel.
When trying to put the vehicle in park, the key will not release from the engine. After 10-15 minutes of trying, finally it will release, but in reading forums, thousands of customers have had similar issues. It seems to be a very known problem.
I was traveling on i49 at ~60 MPH, in light rain, and non freezing temperature. I was on a straight stretch of road with cruise control off. The tires were in good condition. I was approaching brush creek bridge and holding the steering wheel steady and straight. The car started to drift left and steering was not responding. The rear of the car started to get ahead of the front and the car was going sideways. As soon as the car stared to drift, I took my foot off the gas and tried to regain steering. When sliding sideways on the bridge, I cut the steering wheel in the direction the car was sliding. At that time, the car regained some steering capability and oversteered to the right side of the bridge, traveling sideways against a cement barrier until stopped. The air bags never deployed. There was extensive front end damage amounting in ~$10000 in repairs. …
SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback - Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle suffers from a "Day 1" latent engineering flaw that causes the physical ignition key to become permanently trapped in the ignition cylinder, triggering an uncommanded, rigid locking of the steering column assembly. Subaru has possessed documented knowledge of this failure for years, cataloging it under Technical Service Bulletin TSB 16-112-18R. …
I was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch with the car stopped and the car was in "park" position. The car remained in the "accessory" ignition position (electrical accessories remained on) because the key would not go to the ignition lock position. I was therefore unable to lock the car steering or leave the vehicle unattended unless I had a separate set of keys with me. Even with another set of keys, the car's electrical system remained on and the car would easily be stolen or driven by an unauthorized user. I took the car to a Subaru dealer and they repaired the car under warranty after a few days waiting for replacement parts. The dealer told me this is a known defect with Subaru of America.
Currently at least a couple times a week, my key gets stuck in the ignition while shutting off vehicle to park. You can turn the vehicle off, but you can't remove the key. If I fiddle with the shifter and rotate the steering wheel, restart the vehicle, and shift it into drive, and then slam it back into park, then I can turn the vehicle off and the key will come out. . But sometimes I have to repeat the procedure a few times. This started when vehicle was approx a year old and I thought that maybe I had the steering wheel not in the correct location for the key to be removed as time passed the problem gradually got worse. I then did some research and found that a lot of others have experienced this same issue.
Driving in the center of my lane on a wet highway. Cruise control on at 65 MPH. Lane sway on. The car acted as if the lane sway activated and gave a strong steering wheel bump like it does if you are close to the side road stripe. I was dead center in my lane, and there was no reason for it to bump the steering. It did this to me three times within a ten mile drive. After the third time I turned the lane sway off and was soon driving in town and it did not do it again. My wife says sometimes while coming to a stop at a light, the car will pull very hard and abruptly to the left. The car has 3400 miles on it, so there should be nothing wrong with brake pads or rotors.
Difficulty turning the cars ignition into the off position to remove key. Key stocks in ignition and car stays turned on in accessory mode. Often takes up to 6 times restarting and stopping to get key to release. Dealer claims it is the computer relay that isn't recognizing that the car has been put into park. This is when the car is stopped.... This has been going on since approximately May of 2019 to current. At first it was only occasionally but reached the point where it happened 9 times out of 10.
When making steering corrections as you drive, the steering makes the car very to the left or right as you make slight steering corrections. The problem is very noticeable at high speeds. The vehicle sways allot to the left or right as you make steering corrections. The problem happens consistently under slight acceleration or deceleration. I would describe as a dead zone when steering. At speeds between 55 and 75 the vehicle came very close to side sideswiping another vehicle.
Related recalls
Steering › Column
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016.
Steering complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 4% of the model year's 643 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Subaru Outback steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-292 (column, May 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Outback steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 77% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.