2011 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- 28
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 28 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 27 records
- highway speeds · 5 records
- approximately steering · 4 records
- failure mileage · 4 records
- vibration steering · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 19 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Service Brakes · Steering · Unknown Or Other
On 2/11/20 around 12:30pm et, i was approaching the highway via an onramp, and my speed was barely 25 mph. Suddenly, as i was on the approach-road, i suddenly felt that the steering was locked and turning on the right side only (either steering or anti-lock malfunction). It hit the fence and then turned (flipped) on its driver side as can be seen in the picture. I believe this is a safety issue, so please make a…
Crash reported
ODI 11309657
Service Brakes · Steering · Wheels
The traction, oil temp, brake sign turns on in my vehicle. The vehicle brake sign is a safety isssue.
ODI 11206481
Steering
Steering failed completely while in motion on city street. Warning light appeared on dash briefly, then steering failed - car was not able to be steered. Car was rolled into parking lot and tow truck called. Vehicle was on it's way to interstate highway when this happened. Dealer determined power steering hose connections to "junction" had completely rusted, causing all fluid to leak out of system. Subaru of america…
ODI 11063318
Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. On several occasions, while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate and shook violently while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gregoris nissan (555 w merrick rd, valley stream, ny 11580 [redacted]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
ODI 11029921
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 subaru outback. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and smoke appeared underneath the hood. The contact quickly exited the vehicle. Within a couple of minutes, the vehicle became engulfed in flames and was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire.…
Fire reported
ODI 10939455
Steering
I can not keep the vehicle centered on the highway. The cars wanders right or left and requires constant adjustment. The car does not return to center after a turn, steering adjustment is required. This is a constant problem.
ODI 10861677
Steering
Driving down a four lane road and went to take a legal u-turn and the steering wheel turned freely but the car went straight. The brake light was flashing and the tires did not move despite me turning the steering wheel. Awaiting an update from subaru of america. Dealer says it needs a new steering shaft.
ODI 10721857
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
When applying the brakes hard at the a stopping point of the car it kills the engine leaving you dead in the street. Emergency pressure hard! Other than that the brakes work great. Now if you push trans into neutral and brake hard as you will the engine is not effected and keeps on running. This is a automatic but it feels like you did not depress the clutch on stopping the car if it were a standard stick shift…
ODI 10658810
Steering · Suspension
Subaru outback vibrates in steering wheel and seats at speeds from 60 to above. There is a service bulletin which states the steering column and steering wheel gets replaced. Have not found any information that this rectifies the issue or that it makes the car any more safe or pleasant to drive. Postings suggest that this repair does not improve the issue. *tr
ODI 10654202
Steering
Steering wheel shakes from the left to the right at different speeds. It happens when steering away from center position. It also pulls in a turn to the opposite direction being steered. *tr
ODI 10439340
Hydraulic Power Assist System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently when driving at different speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the power steering rack assembly, gear box assembly and power steering fluid would need to be…
ODI 10428908
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
Even after all the soa (subaru of america) "fixes" / service bulletins i still have a vibration issues at highway speeds, feel it in the seat and in steering wheel. It gets worse at highway speeds if your going around a curve on it tends to get worse. Even after through the curve.. Also noted it doesn't matter weather conditions hot, cold raining or dry. *tr
ODI 10471864
Steering
High winds caused a loss of steering and the entire car was moved and i almost blew into a semi.this always happens in high winds (25- 30mph and above ). Internet bloggers call this " lane wandering" subaru refuses to address this problem. I filed a claim with subaru of america and their response was "it has been determined that the vehicle is operating as designed". I am past the date of being able to use the lemon…
ODI 10519530
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the steering assist failed without warning. The failure recurred on several separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 600. *tr
ODI 10521057
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate and shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering column, brakes, tires, lower control arms and a tire alignment was performed. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was…
ODI 10449715
Steering
2011 subaru outback: i informed the dealer that there was a shaking after 45 mph and a tramping effect at lower speeds. They did a road force balance and it was better but still felt annoying and unsafe. They put on new steering wheel and now it was worse. I finally took it to another tire/service dealer and they improved the shaking quite a bit but i would still like it fixed. Subaru states there will be a fix in a…
ODI 10376795
Steering
2011 subaru outback 3.6r - car has vibration that can be mostly felt in the steering wheel at highway speeds. Vibration can also be felt in the seats and floor. Vibration comes and goes at various speeds. *tr
ODI 10371785
Steering
I purchased a 2011 subaru outback 2.5i limited on nov 30 2010. On the drive home from the new car dealership the steering wheel had a shimmy and the entire car was vibrating. The vibration began 45mph and had gotten worse at 65/70mph. I contacted the dealer the next day and they determined by test driving the car that the four continental pro contact tires were defective. Eventually they replaced all four tires with…
ODI 10372689
Steering
1.) 2011 subaru outback premium - new car purchase - with less than 300 miles on it. 2.) the car loses control at upper speeds (65mph+) where it sways out of control as if an icy patch was hit. The steering wheel also shakes at a rapidly low frequency creating a numbness in the driver's hands and forearms making it difficult to hold the steering wheel. This occurs every day when above 65mph. 3.) subaru dealerships…
ODI 10368421
Steering
Vibration and shaking (pulsing) of steering wheel at speeds over 65 mph. Vibration thorough floor of drivers side vibration through seat of drivers side. When going through turns steering wheel can pulsate (feels like something is catching). This can happen on a ramp where it is necessary to correct steering or a sweeping turn on the highway at speed. Driving on the highway there are times when the car will loss…
ODI 10400740
Steering
2011 subaru outback 3.6r limited purchased new in october 2010. Vehicle had steering/handling issues from the start. Excessive steering wheel/tire vibration/shimmy at highway speeds was immediately evident. In addition the car had a pulsation in the steering assembly when making slow turns. At highway speeds the steering had a "stick-slip" phenomenon while negotiating curves in the road. The dealership performed a…
ODI 10370475
Steering · Suspension
Test drove 2011 subaru outback 3.6r before purchase and vehicle had front end shake at freeway speed of 70 mph or so. As result did not buy. *tr
ODI 10356557
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that the steering wheel would vibrate excessively. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 20.
ODI 10349635
Steering · Tires
2011 subaru outback 2.5i limited purchased aug 10, 2010. Noticed steering wheel vibration from time of purchase, assumed it was just me getting used to driving the car. A week later even more noticeable, brought to the attention of the dealer. Checked balance, found two tires out of round. Replaced those tires (tsb 05-50-10), rebalanced - vibration still there. Dealer then installed vibration kit (tsb 05-48-10),…
ODI 10356842
Steering
Purchased new subaru 2011 outback on 07.31.10. Immediately noticed vibration in steering beginning at 60mph and gradually get worse at 70mph. Contacted dealer and was advised to have car looked at. On 08.23.10 the dealer test drove vehicle and confirmed slight vibration in steering wheel. They adjusted tire pressure but didn't correct problem. On 08.27.10 left car at dealer to have tires road force balanced. After…
ODI 10358841