2018 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- 22
- 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.
What owners report
- steering wheel · 6 records
- higher speeds · 6 records
- feels like · 5 records
- speeds steering · 5 records
- feels very · 4 records
- like hydroplaning · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 21 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
My 2018 subaru outback does not have steering assist and was purchased new. At all speeds, the steering feels very loose when traveling resulting in a disconnect between the road/wheels and the steering wheel. At highway speeds, the car often feels like it is hydroplaning or wind is forcing it to the left or right despite driving on dry roads in calm weather. The steering is erratic and is especially unpredictable…
ODI 11291505
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Bought vehicle used one owner no previous occurances, 8000 miles recorded. Gradually, a rumbling sound comes from front driver side when turning wheel on flat dirt driveway predominantely. Concurrent noise from dash. At 10,000 miles the car now makes rumbling noise at low speeds while traveling in straight line on good pavement (inaudible at high speeds) same front right location, dash was repaired replacing speaker…
ODI 11289126
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Bought car new, 7 miles on odometer. Took car into autonation subaru - centennial colorado for noise complaint in driver-side front when going over a bump. Missing parts were noticed by shop. Shop said it was completely fixed, but we still had this noise, it was just quieter. Vehicle felt like alignment was off, as it shakes at highway speeds. Car makes tire squealing noise when turning in and out of parking spots…
ODI 11265954
Steering
Subaru outback 2008 pulls to the left or right by itself intermittently. When it happens, car speed is always > 45 mph and the issue is the most obvious on highways with a speed > 60 mph. It feels like the steering has its own idea. Sometimes when i want to curve to the right, the steering turns by itself to the right and sometimes even stays there. Sometimes when i don't want to turn, it turns. This is not related…
ODI 11270080
Steering
The steering wheel of this car randomly takes over, for no obvious reason, at high speeds (over 45 mph). I have no control over the steering wheel when this happens. Driving this car has been terrifying! While passing a tractor trailer, the steering wheel pulled me towards the truck 3 times!!! I thought i would be killed! This is a loaner car from the dealership. I called the dealership, colonial subaru, in colonial…
ODI 11210550
Steering
Vehicle loses control at 50 mph and higher speeds. Steering feels very loose and like vehicle is hydroplaning on dry surfaces. On occasion it feels like the vehicle was hit by a gust of wind and floats. Vehicle feels very insecure on highway driving conditions. It's scary!
ODI 11193818
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Subaru lane assist steering issue. When you have lane assist on the car will try and steer from one lane to another on its own. This happens when you are on the freeway and started after 10,000 miles was on the car.
ODI 11193481
Steering
At least 10 times in the past week we have almost crashed due to the steering. We went off the road twice. The car is seriously veering off to the right, almost like you are hydroplaning on dry land. You can't even steer the car back into the lane. It just goes by itself. I did take it to the dealer today. They are saying that it is the lane assist being on and to turn it off. We've had the car for 5 months and now…
ODI 11143844
Steering · Unknown Or Other · Vehicle Speed Control
10/2018 to present: infotainment sys: while driving gps screen goes white entirely & sound stops. While driving gps sound is lost or partial loss. While driving gps will reroute to different location. The above causes mental confusion/distraction to driver w dangerous situations. Before driving/when driving re/programming map when directions stop or screen white or gps vol drops or varies the unit will go fm map to…
ODI 11270960
Steering
Steering was great until 6000 miles. The car now has a definite problem with either the front end or steering. The steering is irregular and feels as though you will not be able to control the vehicle. While turning the steering feels stuck and there is not road defect to be stuck in. While driving forward the car will jerk the front end and it feels like you will loose control of the vehicle.
ODI 11132944
Steering
Tension and control disappears in the steering, so loose it feels like you could spin the wheel like a top. Lasts a second or so then control returns. Happens in multiple driving conditions. Noticed it first day we had the car, dealer said he noticed it too, and we just needed to break the car in. When driving on the highway in high winds, car feels out of control, like driving on slick ice. Never had to get off a…
ODI 11170824
Electrical System · Steering
Our outback started to pull to the right at around 3000 miles. Currently (at 9000 miles) the car still does that. It feels as if there is strong side wind pushing the car. The car also started making knocking sounds when turning the wheel in both directions while at stop or moving slowly. We are currently scheduled for an inspection at the dealership. The second major issue is the tire pressure monitor. The tire…
ODI 11170464
Steering
Driving our new 2018 outback we experience periodic steering irregularities that are flat scary. Especially at 65mps and above the car seems to self correct .by example a lane change the car starts to 'float" and over compensates on directional change. Troubling also is the experience of stability at times as if driving in high winds-when there is no wind. When we turn "off" driving assistance lane system-still same…
ODI 11092406
Steering
Subaru better take notice on this steering issue! It is a danger!!! When pedestrians are walking on the road and you need to swing a little wider around them, the lane keep pushes you towards the pedestrian!!! In addition to this, when driving at 55 and above, it constantly feels as if the wind is blowing you around! There is no wind! This is a danger and there have been several times now, that i have almost went…
ODI 11091308
Steering
Mostley at higher speeds.70 mph.the steering reacts erratically.mutiple symptions concerns.on a consistent basis,the feeling of control leaves,it feels as though it hydroplaning in deep waterwhen your tires temporanily lose contact with pavement.this can happen during any condition.all control seems to leave ,then control comes back.in high winds ,when u need to correct the steeing angle this sisation happens a…
ODI 11091102
Fuel Gauge · Seats · Steering · Wheels
I have always wanted a 3.6l and this is my first 3.6l 6 cylinder 2018 subaru outback! Am disappointed with few problems: the front seating is not comfortable and not supportive at all, especial in hard turns the seats will not hold you in place, the seat bed is to short and does not support long legs if you are over 5 feet tall. For some reason this is my 3rd subaru 2nd outback that has wheel alignment problem right…
ODI 11120423
Steering
Traded in a 2016 for a 2018 .there is a problem with the steering. While driving , particularly at higher speeds, the steering seems to have a mind of it's own. The car will sway or veer to one side or the other. It feels to me as if a gust of wind has pushed the car and i have to adjust the steering. My husband describes it as if the car is hydroplaning. This is an intermittent. It feels very unsafe especially…
ODI 11093608
Steering
Mostly at higher speeds, 70+, the steering reacts erratically. Multiple symptoms of major concern. On a consistent basis, the feeling of control leaves, it feels as though you are hydroplaning into deep water when your tires temporarily lose contact with the pavement, this can happen during any driving condition. All control seems to leave. Then control comes back. In high wind, when you need to correct the steering…
ODI 11089288
Steering · Suspension
I have had steering issues with this car since day one, the dealer told me i had to get use to it. Car pulled to the right and at higher speeds you feel like you were hydroplaning-no control then steering would come back. Brought the car back to dealer and they made adjusts to the alignment and doesn't pull to right as bad. But the feeling of hydroplaning still exists and the dealer can not duplicate problem .they…
ODI 11149896
Steering
Most occurrences were at high speed on interstates. I thought it was wind related but probably wasn't. Car would seem to move slightly with no steering effort and then the steering would push back severely on curves sometimes it would push from side to side setting up a swerving motion. No warning lights ever came on this continued for four days and then has not been experienced again. Service could not duplicate. I…
ODI 11071609
Lane Departure · Steering
While driving 70 miles per hour: on most curves to the left the car seems to "grab" to the left and then i correct the swing. Sometimes it seems to almost over correct. And i have experienced the same issue while on the straight way and the car will seem to pull to the right. Not enough that i am in danger of crashing but is unsettling
ODI 11063173
Service Brakes · Steering
The vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer addressed the problem twice in two weeks by doing a four wheel alignment. The vehicle is still pulling to the left. A more concerning issue just started. The vehicle has applied the right front brake at highway speeds. Not hard, just enough to feel the steering wheel jump to the right. I was traveling approximately 65 to 70 mph on a straight interstate highway when this…
ODI 11055701