Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 7% | 16,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 5% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 36 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 36 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 24 | 4% | 8,000 miles |
| 2015 | 13 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2014 | 17 | 8% | 9,000 miles |
| 2013 | 34 | 11% | 2,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2011 | 36 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2010 | 41 | 11% | 1,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% | 83,000 miles |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% | 69,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% | 107,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% | 146,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% | 62,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | 107,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to drive around the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle oversteered, almost causing the contact to crash several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the alignment was out of spec, and an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44.
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, All-Wheel Drive, Auto Start/Stop, Auto Vehicle Hold, Brake System, Traction Control, Parking Brake, and CTA warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel became firm, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 2,800.
This vehicle has severe CVT problems. It shifts back and forth with a clunk on level roads at a steady speed. I have a 2015 Murano with over 80,000 miles that does not display this type of behavior. I am driving a loaner which is a 2023 Subaru with the same engine and transmission as mine and it has none of my safety problems. The additional safety problems are: very poor resolution on backup camera and incorrect guidance lines; we are a hands free state and my voice command will not properly make calls; built in nav is horrible and Android Auto doesn't work; Adaptive headlights don't work; lane centering hugs the left side of the lane to a degree that I have to pull to the right if a vehicle is passing me; Auto rear braking does not work properly. The rest of the items are more of a nuisance than safety oriented. I have owned over a dozen Subarus without having any issues.
The 2022 Subaru Outback has a "feature" called AUTO START STOP. This is intended as a fuel saving feature. In the car's Setup Menu, you have the choice to turn this feature off. However, this feature MUST be turned off EACH and EVERY TIME you start the car. The change is NOT held in memory. This fact was confirmed by a Subaru Customer Service Representative in a call on the morning of 9/7/2021. This Auto Start/Stop feature works just like a gasoline powered golf cart. Take your foot off the gas and the engine dies. Press the accelerator and the engine restarts. However, there is NOT oncoming traffic on a golf course. If the wheels are canted to the left or right, a notable amount of force is experienced in the steering wheel. Subaru should be FORCED IMMEDIATELY to make a software change to allow this feature to be disabled permanently. …
After 20 years of driving experience that's probably the first car where I feel unsafe. Once in my life I had such experience which I have every day right now. It was hydroplaning on the very wet road. In another words it feels like driving under strong side wind or really wet/slippy road and car not under my full control. I already had five visits in two different Subaru dealerships. They twice did wheels allignment. But it didn't help. The last my visit they told they can't find and reproduce the issue. I guess I can be close my eyes for another issue but that's can be dangerous not only but another guys on the road.
The contact's wife owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering as the power steering warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,500. The VIN was not available.
While moving forward slowly with foot lightly on the brakes and pulling into a parking space at local shopping center the car accelerated and the steering wheel turned to the right. The result of the cars actions made the car jump the curb, drive across the sidewalk and then across small hedges in the landscaped area. Car finally came to a stop about 20 feet later, with me pushing hard on the brake, just prior to entering parking lot roadway cross traffic. There was no alarm, warning or any other indication from any of the safety systems. As far as the automobile was concerned, nothing wrong had happened. Luckily there were no other vehicles or pedestrians on sidewalk or in the landscaped area between the parking space and roadway. There was no vehicle damage as the shrubs were all fairly short and the car simply drove over them. …
Related recalls (3)
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 › Column
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Steering › Column
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle's steering wheel May develop stress cracks and eventually break.
Remedy: Dealers will check lot number of the steering roll connector. The roll connector will be replaced with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Outback years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (41), 2011 (36), 2018 (36), 2019 (36) and 2013 (34) model years. Steering complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Subaru Outback steering problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 16V-292 (column, May 11, 2016); 13V-194 (column, May 13, 2013); 10V-283 (column, Jun 24, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Outback steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles; 79% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (3 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (3).
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.