Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would tighten and oversteer while switching lanes without warning. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to regain complete control of the vehicle after the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 40-50 MPH, the steering wheel felt loose, causing the vehicle to drift from the lane. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would erroneously turn to either the right or left causing the vehicle to pull in either direction. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
rccd email. nhsta david chin on 04 envoy vin and smog cali fraud.. ended case sold vehicle to pick a part. did not sur dealer. purchased 1 month later Carmax Ontario california 2019 subaru outback. nhsta states moonroof and pedestrian braking for ev and hybrid u5 engine. this outback has no moonroof nor is it an ev or hybrid. owned by enterprise rent a car and subaru santa monica prior as grey in 2019 then tungsten metallic 2019-2020. unsure of vehicle history accident reported 2022. subaru of america and san bernardino states aftermarket bolt installed carmax has the vehicle for $1400-1750 in repairs they did not notice @ sale [redacted]. to me [redacted] . they are currently repairing radiator cooling system suspension. and i believe the vehicle has never gone a 125point inspection and may have other issues elsewhere. …
2019 Subaru outback many issues bought the car for safety for my newborn child in 2019. Has had multiple issues windshield keeps cracking. The steering column manual lever keeps collapsing causing unreliable steering and safety issues could possibly cause injury/death due to accident. The other major issue is there is now a head gasket leak in a car that only has 55,000 miles it's under on the miles for warranty but 3 months over for time. Try to work with the dealership and Subaru America to no resolve of the issue they offered a minor discount they should be covering the whole thing I have owned many cars brand new going over 100,000 miles plus with no such issue of a head gasket. I am a disabled Marine corps military veteran and the cooperation from Subaru as supposedly number one safest vehicle was not what I expected. …
Under the following three conditions the front tires appear to become airborne and the tires skip making the vehicle seem to be out-of-control; When traveling at speeds >35 MPH, Wheels are turned >10 degrees, Any long bump (such as a rough transition "bump" from asphalt to concrete). This has been worsening over the last year and is now unsafe for my children to be in the car. My local Subaru dealership spent nearly 2 days inspecting all aspects of the car to include the alignment, bushings, and shocks. A senior technician was taken for a test-drive in the car and I was able to recreate the "skip". The technician was alarmed and surprised by the skip and thus held the car for a 2nd day to further investigate the reason for the "skip". They were unable to diagnose any defect. There has been no inspection by the police or insurance company. There have been no alarms or warning.
I bought the 2019 Subaru Outback less than 2 months ago. While driving either on the street or on the freeway at reasonable speeds, the car will suddenly without warning veer to the left or right causing me to believe I was about to lose control. At first I thought I hit a pothole or some other road hazard. There is nothing that I can see on the road to cause this.This is occurring once every other time I drive the car. I looked online and noticed many other complaints which are exactly the same as mine.This is very dangerous as this veering can cause a serious accident. I spoke with Subaru and am now trying to have it looked at since it is still under warranty. There were no warning lights, etc. Please look into this safety concern.
Took in 2 yr old car relating to vehicle veering to the right, ticking helicopter noise on driver side. Took to Continental Subaru Anchorage Alaska on 11/2/22. For tire change over, alignment, oil change and for diagnostics on noise. I was told that my vehicle needed a complete driver side cx axle replacement. After axle was installed, they said they heard another noise and that it was my transmission, and now it needs replaced. I didn't get alignment according to papers. This car is 2 yrs old. 2019 bought in 2019 at Christmas or 2020. Why is transmission out? Low miles and drivers are very safe! I was given a rental till transmission could be ordered and replaced.
Unknown, but seems like steering is affected. When turning the vehicle over and bump there is a clanking that you can hear and feel coming from under the bottom of the vehicle. It was present about 3 months after purchase of the car new, and has progressively gotten worse. The steering wheel feels loose for the moment it clanks. It has been reproduced by two dealers. The first was unable to provide a solution, stating it is a "manufacturing defect" of that model. The second replaced a spring in the steering box, but this did not fix the problem. It has been inspected by Subaru dealers. There are no warning lights on.
I went to reverse, then drive and Left turn into a parking spot inside a small flattop parking lot. My car made a popping noise and grating sounds after the reverse and turning of the steering wheel. I turned off my car once in the spot and looked under the car is it sounded like something was grating against the ground. I didn't see anything. Upon restarting the car, the sounds continued when I tried to accelerate or turn. I could not accelerate past 10 mph and all my warning lights lit in the dash. I turned the car off and put in park. The car would roll forward unless I had the emergency brake on.
Steering complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2019 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 2019 Subaru Outback, 3% of the model year's 1,036 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Subaru Outback steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2019 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 2019 Subaru Outback steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 2,000 miles, and 100% 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.