Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Sunday,August 1, 2021, at 9:05am, I backed out of my garage and when I attempted to turn my car, the steering locked, the car was drifting backwards and I had no brakes. As a result the car kept drifting backwards , off the driveway into the woods, hitting a tree. Once stopped, I was able to start the car and drive it out of the woods. The entire driver's side was sideswiped and mirror torn off. I was not injured, but could have been. I called insurance that day. On Monday, we contacted the Subaru dealership. The local police were notified and documented the report. The insurance adjuster determined the car unsafe to drive and it was towed to the dealership August 4, 2021. There was no warning or indicated problem prior to the incident.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost Electric Power Steering assist before returning to normal functionality. The failure had since become a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
SUMMARY OF SAFETY DEFECT: The vehicle exhibits severe, premature corrosion and rust perforation of the front subframe (crossmember) assembly. This structural component is deteriorating at an accelerated rate, compromising the vehicle's structural integrity. This was confirmed at a Subaru dealership and as a result has failed NY annual inspection. SAFETY RISK & HAZARD ASSESSMENT: The front subframe is a critical load-bearing structural component responsible for securing the vehicle's front suspension, steering rack, and lower control arms. Severe corrosion and rot in this area create an imminent risk of structural failure, specifically the potential separation of the lower control arms while driving. …
While driving under normal conditions, (no hazardous weather or speeding), the steering will suddenly pull to the right, for only a moment, feeling as though a strong gust of wind had blown it, but there is no wind, it just does it on its on. A warning light comes on, and makes a pinging sound, then it turns off; it does not stay on long enough to be able to see which symbol lights up. This happens approximately once every 10 miles or so, more often when driving above 45 mph; occurring most often on the highway. It happens on every type of rode and in every lane. We've bought the car to be examined buy a Subaru dealership twice and was told both times that the wheels were out of alignment and we paid to have the alignment corrected, but this does not actually solve the problem. …
While the lane keeping assistance is on the car will follow the exit lane beside the lane I'm in and jerk over into it. There has been a car beside me when has happened but I caught the steering wheel before a crash. Also if a car is turning in front of me sometimes, not always, the brakes will jam on when I'm not even close to the car that is turning but I would be going around the car after it has turned almost all the way. There has been no crashes or injuries yet.
Began hearing a clunking/rattling noise in the front end of the car. We took it to the dealer for routine maintenance and asked them to look into it. Front Steering rack was found to have excessive play. Entire steering rack was replaced. No warning lamps or messages involved. Safety was put at risk by possible loss of control of vehicle if steering rack completely failed.
Bought vehicle used one owner no previous occurances, 8000 miles recorded. Gradually, a rumbling sound comes from front driver side when turning wheel on flat dirt driveway predominantely. Concurrent noise from dash. At 10,000 miles the car now makes rumbling noise at low speeds while traveling in straight line on good pavement (inaudible at high speeds) same front right location, dash was repaired replacing speaker grills and still makes rattling noise after fixing. Rumbling noise from drivers left front area checked by dealer and reported nothing looked wrong. Noise continues from dashboard. Rumbling noise from front driver side left wheel/dash area continues more often and seems to be inaudible at higher speeds - rumbling noise upon turning wheel and going straight on pavement as well as on flat graded dirt driveway. …
Purchased the automobile with about 7,200 miles on it with extended warranty. Battery failed at 8,000 miles. We replaced it with a new premium battery from aaa.. New battery worked for 8 months then drained overnight. Aaa recharged it and said alternator worked. When driven or backed up after recharging, automobile beeped constantly for approximately 1/2 mile and stopped while in motion. Beeping stopped when vehicle stopped, but started again when vehicle moved forward or backed up. Left with Subaru dealer overnight. Battery was completely drained this morning when service technician tried to start it. Service tech said they could not diagnose problem. Per my internet research, this seems to be a common problem. Subaru should fix it, but seems to be dragging their heels on this issue. Our Subaru is unsafe and not driveable in its current condition. …
Bought car new, 7 miles on odometer. Took car into autonation Subaru - centennial colorado for noise complaint in driver-side front when going over a bump. Missing parts were noticed by shop. Shop said it was completely fixed, but we still had this noise, it was just quieter. Vehicle felt like alignment was off, as it shakes at highway speeds. Car makes tire squealing noise when turning in and out of parking spots at low speeds. Took car back to dealer shop many times for over 1 year. Shop always insisted no alignment was needed, front-end was in good report, tires were in good balance, and rotation was not needed. Shaking persists, 20K miles later driver side front tire is worn down to almost steel only on in-side of tire; all other tires have at least 6/32nds on tread (see attached photo: out-side of tire is thick treat like all other tires, in-side treat is gone). Original tires. …
Mostley at higher speeds.70 MPH.the steering reacts erratically.mutiple symptions concerns.on a consistent basis,the feeling of control leaves,it feels as though it hydroplaning in deep waterwhen your tires temporanily lose contact with pavement.this can happen during any condition.all control seems to leave ,then control comes back.in high winds ,when u need to correct the steeing angle this sisation happens a lot.any movement from a straight line will cause this to happen.sometime straight line driving ,the steering wheel just momentarily attempts to turn on its own.in the rain afraid to dive Outback 65 MPH because the the steerin keeps leaving,again like its hydro plaining,and no I wasent hydroplaning as every other car was passing me 70+ MPH.this is a consistent and constant problem.its vey scarey and I quite alarmned at tis proble.there is something major wrong with the 2018 Subaru …
Steering complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 4% of the model year's 816 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Subaru Outback steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2018 Subaru Outback, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Outback steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 94% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.