Vehicle Data Hub

2017 Subaru Outback steering problems

24 complaints about steering have been filed for the 2017 Subaru Outback, which is 2% of all its NHTSA complaints.

At a glance

Complaints
24 2% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
20,000 miles 13 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When steering problems show up

Steering complaints by mileage, 2017 Subaru Outback Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 20,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 7 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 5 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 0 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 0 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 20,000 miles
Based on 13 complaints that include mileage. 100% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles7
20k to 40k miles5
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles0
80k to 100k miles0
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 13 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 20,000 miles, and 100% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes.

What owners wrote

Paddle shift levers--which are positioned on the steering wheel as opposed to the steering column--are too square-edged (shape), which is a design defect that can cause loss of steering control. Specifically, the sharp corner can catch on coat zippers. I was driving East, took a right turn, and intended to procced with driving South. When I attempted to straighten out the wheel, however, I was unable to do so. The paddle shifter corner "hooked" my coat zipper, along the track.

December 2022 Crash

I purchased my 2017 subaru outback brand new in january, 2017. Currently, in may 2017, the vehicle has 3200 miles of operation. The problem I am having is three-fold. 1. Around town in city traffic, the steering is heavy and difficult to control. It is very tiring to drive the vehicle under these condition. At times, it feels as if you may suddenly loose control of the steering. 2. The vehicle wanders. At highway speeds, it is difficult to keep the vehicle on center of the lane.

Reported at 3,200 miles, May 2017

Other problems reported for the 2017 Subaru Outback

Steering problems in other years

  • 2027
  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998
  • 1997
  • 1996
  • 1995

Steering problems across all Subaru models