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
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
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.
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.
Other problems reported for the 2017 Subaru Outback
- Electrical system 393 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 235 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 45 complaints
- Engine 44 complaints
- Forward collision avoidance 31 complaints
- Cruise control 28 complaints
- Body & structure 26 complaints
- Brakes 25 complaints